Hi-Vis Safety Apparel: ANSI Class 2 vs Class 3 Explained
7 min readHi vis shirts and ANSI safety apparel are non-negotiable for highway, construction, and outdoor work crews. This guide explains ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Class 2 vs Class 3 — when each applies, and our full catalog of custom workwear shirts, personalized work shirts, safety shirts, hi vis long sleeve shirts, high visibility shirts (Class 3 for highway 50+ mph), and hi vis sweatshirts for cold-weather work. CornerStone CS204 ANSI Class 2, CS408 ANSI Class 3, plus safety vests (CSV100/CSV405/CSV407), rain jackets (CSJ504), and waterproof parkas (CSJ24). Custom embroidery on background fluorescent only — never on retroreflective tape.
Pricing format: "from $X decorated" = blank + standard left-chest embroidery ($8). Embroidery on hi-vis must avoid retroreflective tape to preserve ANSI certification — we handle placement automatically. Order minimum: from 1 piece.
What is ANSI/ISEA 107?
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the U.S. standard for high-visibility safety apparel — minimum fluorescent background fabric area + retroreflective tape placement so workers stay visible to drivers and equipment operators.
- Class 1: Off-road / low traffic. Rare in our catalog.
- Class 2: Roadways under 50 mph, sidewalks, low-to-moderate traffic. Most highway + construction crews.
- Class 3: Highways over 50 mph, low-visibility (fog/night), heavy equipment. Maximum coverage required.
ANSI Class 2 — Standard Visibility
Most highway/construction roles. Tees with chest + back reflective bands.
CornerStone CS204 ANSI Class 2 Tee — from $53.00 decorated
blank $45.00 + decoration from $8
The workhorse ANSI Class 2 short-sleeve tee. Safety yellow or orange with 2-inch reflective tape on chest + back. The default for highway crews, utility teams, and DOT contractors. Most-ordered Class 2 hi vis tee in our catalog.
View Details →Class 2 alternatives:
CornerStone CS401LS Class 2 Long Sleeve — from $58.00 decorated
CS401LSblank $50.00 + decoration from $8
Long-sleeve version of CS204. Added arm coverage for cooler mornings + brush/debris protection. Same Class 2 reflective layout.
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CornerStone CS201 Class 2 Mesh LS — from $40.70 decorated
CS201blank $32.70 + decoration from $8
Long-sleeve Class 2 with mesh body — same reflective as CS401LS but breathes significantly better. Best for summer highway/construction crews.
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CornerStone CS206 Enhanced Visibility — from $40.32 decorated
CS206blank $32.32 + decoration from $8
Not ANSI-certified — enhanced visibility safety color with reflective tape. For roles wanting hi-vis presence without legal ANSI requirement (parking attendants, warehouse leads, school staff).
View Details →ANSI Class 3 — Maximum Visibility
High-speed traffic (over 50 mph), night work, fog/low-light, near heavy equipment. More background fluorescent + more reflective tape than Class 2.
CornerStone CS408 ANSI Class 3 Tee — from $53.00 decorated
blank $45.00 + decoration from $8
Class 3 short-sleeve — full chest + back + sleeve reflective coverage required by the standard. For highway crews working high-speed roads, night shifts, and around heavy machinery. Most-ordered Class 3 short-sleeve.
View Details →Class 3 alternatives:
CornerStone CS202 ANSI Class 3 Tee — from $53.00 decorated
CS202blank $45.00 + decoration from $8
Alternative Class 3 short-sleeve cut. Same ANSI compliance as CS408, slightly different reflective tape pattern.
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CornerStone CS203 Class 3 Long Sleeve — from $60.00 decorated
CS203blank $52.00 + decoration from $8
Class 3 long-sleeve for full arm coverage. Required for many night-work programs. Reflective tape on chest, back, AND arms.
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CornerStone CS409 Class 3 Long Sleeve — from $60.00 decorated
CS409blank $52.00 + decoration from $8
Alternative Class 3 long-sleeve cut. Same compliance as CS203 with different reflective configuration.
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CornerStone CS208 Class 3 Hooded LS Segmented — from $60.26 decorated
CS208blank $52.26 + decoration from $8
Class 3 long-sleeve with hood + segmented reflective tape. Meets Class 3 requirement while allowing better stretch + arm movement than continuous tape.
View Details →ANSI Class 3 Outerwear — Hoodies, Jackets & Rain Gear
Cold + wet weather Class 3 — team stays visible AND warm/dry through 8-hour shifts.
CornerStone CSF300 Class 3 Heavy Fleece Hoodie — from $79.22 decorated
blank $71.22 + decoration from $8
Class 3 heavyweight fleece full-zip hoodie. Year-round warmth with ANSI compliance — for winter highway work, night construction, cold-storage logistics. The most-ordered hi vis sweatshirt in our catalog.
View Details →Class 3 outerwear alternatives:
CornerStone CSJ504 Class 3 Ripstop Rain — from $89.94 decorated
CSJ504blank $81.94 + decoration from $8
Lightweight Class 3 ripstop rain jacket. Waterproof + breathable, perfect for rainy-day highway work. Packs down small for truck cab stash.
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CornerStone CSJ503 Class 3 Insulated Waterproof — from $98.48 decorated
CSJ503blank $90.48 + decoration from $8
Mid-weight Class 3 waterproof + insulated jacket. For fall/early winter when temperatures drop but rain threatens.
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CornerStone CSJ24 Class 3 Waterproof Parka — from $110.03 decorated
CSJ24blank $102.03 + decoration from $8
Heavyweight Class 3 waterproof parka — full winter protection. Sub-freezing highway work, winter night shifts, plowing crews.
View Details →Safety Vests — Essential Add-On
For workers in non-hi-vis base layers — a vest gets you to Class 2 compliance instantly. Most common pick for site supervisors, warehouse leads, traffic flaggers.
CornerStone CSV407 Class 2 Dual-Color Vest — from $48.55 decorated
blank $40.55 + decoration from $8
Premium dual-color (orange + yellow) vest — better visibility against varied backgrounds. Recommended for most-exposed roles. The premium pick for sites + DOT contracts.
View Details →Vest alternatives:
CornerStone CSV100 Class 2 Economy Mesh — from $28.00 decorated
CSV100blank $20.00 + decoration from $8
Budget Class 2 mesh vest — cheapest reliable ANSI vest. For high-volume programs (50+ pieces) where every dollar matters.
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CornerStone CSV102 Class 2 Mesh Zippered — from $31.00 decorated
CSV102blank $23.00 + decoration from $8
Step up from CSV100 — mesh body with zippered front for easier on/off + slightly better fit. Same Class 2 compliance.
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CornerStone CSV105 Class 2 Surveyor — from $38.50 decorated
CSV105blank $30.50 + decoration from $8
Surveyor-style with cargo pockets for tools, pens, radios. For site supervisors + quality control inspectors needing tool capacity.
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CornerStone CSV405 Class 2 Mesh-Back Solid — from $43.00 decorated
CSV405blank $35.00 + decoration from $8
Solid front for branding (logo + name) + mesh back for breathability. Best of both worlds — professional brand presence + airflow.
View Details →Hi-Vis Cap & Polo Add-Ons
CornerStone CS802 ANSI 107 Safety Cap — from $26.00 decorated
CS802blank $18.00 + decoration from $8
ANSI-compliant safety cap with reflective tape. Pairs with hi-vis tees + vests for complete head-to-chest visibility coverage.
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CornerStone CS423 Enhanced Visibility Polo — from $53.74 decorated
CS423blank $45.74 + decoration from $8
Not ANSI-certified — enhanced visibility polo for roles needing hi-vis presence without legal ANSI Class 2/3 requirement (facility supervisors, parking management, school district staff).
View Details →Quick Comparison — All Hi-Vis Products
| Model | Class | Type | Decorated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS204 | Class 2 | Short Sleeve | $53.00 |
| CS401LS | Class 2 | Long Sleeve | $58.00 |
| CS201 | Class 2 | Mesh LS | $40.70 |
| CS206 | Enhanced | Short Sleeve | $40.32 |
| CS408 | Class 3 | Short Sleeve | $53.00 |
| CS202 | Class 3 | Short Sleeve | $53.00 |
| CS203 | Class 3 | Long Sleeve | $60.00 |
| CS409 | Class 3 | Long Sleeve | $60.00 |
| CS208 | Class 3 | Hooded LS | $60.26 |
| CSF300 | Class 3 | Fleece Hoodie | $79.22 |
| CSJ504 | Class 3 | Rain Jacket | $89.94 |
| CSJ503 | Class 3 | Insulated Jacket | $98.48 |
| CSJ24 | Class 3 | Parka | $110.03 |
| CSV100 | Class 2 | Vest | $28.00 |
| CSV102 | Class 2 | Vest | $31.00 |
| CSV105 | Class 2 | Surveyor Vest | $38.50 |
| CSV405 | Class 2 | Mesh-Back Vest | $43.00 |
| CSV407 | Class 2 | Dual-Color Vest | $48.55 |
| CS802 | ANSI 107 | Cap | $26.00 |
| CS423 | Enhanced | Polo | $53.74 |
How to Choose the Right Class
- Traffic speed: Under 50 mph = Class 2. Over 50 mph = Class 3.
- Lighting: Daytime only = Class 2. Dusk/night/fog = Class 3.
- Equipment proximity: Near forklifts/excavators/cranes = Class 3 minimum.
- OSHA/state DOT: Many state DOT contracts specify Class 3 by default.
- Layering: Vest over regular tee = Class 2 minimum.
Custom Branding on Hi-Vis Apparel
- Embroidery placement: ALWAYS on background fluorescent fabric, NEVER on retroreflective tape. Tape coverage is what makes garment ANSI-compliant; embroidery over it voids certification.
- Standard placement: left chest, 3.5-4 inches wide × 2-2.5 inches tall.
- Thread colors: Dark threads (black, navy, dark gray) read best on safety yellow/orange. Light threads disappear.
- Name + title: add second line under logo. $3-5 per piece, common for DOT crews.
Bulk Pricing & Program Specs
- Order minimum: from 1 piece.
- Volume tiers: 25 / 50 / 100 / 250+ pieces.
- Production: 1-2 day sample / 3-5 day bulk.
- Mixed orders: tees + vests + jackets in one order with one logo setup fee.
Ready to Spec a Hi-Vis Program?
Tell us class needed (2 or 3), team size, item mix, and logo file — quote within 24 hours.
Hi-Vis FAQs
Class 2 vs Class 3 — what's the difference?
Class 2 = roadway under 50 mph + general construction. Class 3 = highway over 50 mph, night work, near heavy equipment. Class 3 has more background fluorescent AND more retroreflective tape.
Can I embroider my company logo on hi vis safety shirts?
Yes — ONLY on background fluorescent fabric, never on retroreflective tape. Tape coverage = ANSI compliance; embroidery through it voids certification. We handle placement automatically.
What's the minimum order for custom workwear shirts?
From 1 piece. Single samples + small (5-12) crew orders + bulk (50-500+) DOT/utility programs all welcome. Volume discounts at 25/50/100/250+.
What thread color reads best on hi-vis?
Dark threads — black, navy, dark gray, dark red. Light threads disappear into fluorescent yellow/orange. We default to black/navy unless brand requires otherwise.
How long does hi-vis tape last in wash?
ANSI-certified retroreflective tape on CornerStone garments survives 50+ commercial wash cycles. Fluorescent background fabric typically fades before tape stops reflecting.
Related Guides
- Best T-Shirts for Company Uniforms
- Fleece Jackets & Vests
- Best Custom Polos
- How to Order Custom Embroidered Shirts
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