What is Fluorescent Color?
Fluorescent colors are exceptionally bright and bold because they absorb and reflect more light than conventional colors. This increased light absorption and reflection results in a more vibrant and intense appearance. Sometimes, fluorescent colors are also referred to as neon colors.
The key to a fluorescent color's vibrancy lies in its ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light, which is invisible to the human eye. The material then converts this absorbed UV energy into visible light, adding to the light already reflected from the visible spectrum. This process results in a brighter, more intense color than you'd see with regular pigments. DayGlo Color Corp's iconic neon colors, for example, are up to three times brighter than conventional colors. Fluorescent colors use a larger amount of both the visible spectrum and lower wavelengths than conventional colors. DayGlo Color Corp elaborates on this process. They absorb and convert this energy, resulting in the intense brightness.
Under blacklight, this effect is especially pronounced, making fluorescent colors appear to almost glow. Novacolorpaint describes this vivid brightness as making them seem to emit light. The color emitted depends on the specific chemical composition of the fluorescent material. Wikipedia explains this relationship between UV radiation and the emitted visible light.
Examples and Applications
Fluorescent colors find applications in various fields:
- Graphic arts and printing: Creating eye-catching designs and advertisements.
- Plastics: Producing vibrant, high-visibility products.
- Safety applications: Making safety gear, such as vests and signs, more visible.
- Miniature painting: Adding a unique visual effect to models (as discussed in r/minipainting).
- Security applications: Creating invisible fluorescent pigments and dyes for security purposes Angtech.
While the term "fluorescent" often implies a bright, artificial look, the colors can vary widely depending on the specific pigment and dye formulations.
