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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a question of your own? Please use our Quick-Question form.
How do things actually glow-in-the-dark ? In simple terms, microscopic glow-in-the-dark (photo-luminescent) crystals absorb invisible Ultra-Violet (UV) light from day-light and artificial electric-lights etc and re-emit that energy as visible light over a extended period of time. The UV energy absorbed but the glow material or paint is only very small in energy terms, with the majority of this stored energy burned off over an initial short period of time as a bright glow. (this duration depends on glow colour). The remaining retained energy is rationed and discharged as a dimmer but long lasing glow, gradually diminishing over an extended period of time (known as the Afterglow - again the length of this duration depends on glow colour). Glow-in-the-dark products are glowing all the time (assuming they are charged) and do not wait for darkness, this is the reason the stronger glow colours (Green and Aqua) look a little green in normal / day light. Click here for a simplified diagram
The scientific version Phosphorescent or Photo luminescent are Luminescent Pigments, or powders that can give off light. Unlike conventional colorants, LUMINESCENT pigments are not primary light reflectors, but actual sources of light. They possess the property of absorbing certain types of radiant energy (usually below 4000A and not visible to the eye) and converting this radiant energy into longer wavelengths in the visible spectrum, and emitting it as light. The selective wavelengths, thus emitted, produce the sensation of 'colours'. When the emission of luminescent light ceases with the removal of the charging light source, the luminescent material is called FLUORESCENT. If the emission of light continues for an appreciable period of time after the exciting energy has been removed, the luminescent material is known as PHOSPHORESCENT or PHOTO-LUMINESCENT, and has the property of "glowing-in-the-dark". The ability to absorb light, and then release this light in a decay pattern is known as PERSISTENCE or AFTERGLOW. Different types of phosphorescent pigments emit light in different decay patterns. The unit of measurement for persistence is MILLICANDELA per square meter or mcd/m2. Some emit fairly high amounts of light initially, and then continue to emit light for 5-8 hours. And still other types will emit light for more than 14 hours and up to 20 hours, before becoming too difficult to see with the human eye. These longer lasting afterglow pigments can be used to "light-the-way" in total darkness in safety signage and paints.
Are your products really as safe as you claim ? Yes. Remember this is next-generation all new technology, it is not the radioactive stuff used on watches or the old-fashioned Zinc-Sulfide stuff that glows for a few minutes. This new GITD technology is based on Strontium Aluminate which is not only completely safe, it last 10 times longer and glows 10 times brighter.
Why do some colours cost more than others ? The most natural (and least expensive) colour to produce for glow-in-the-dark, is a light yellow-green as well as being the most receptive to the eye. Aqua and Sky-Blue are also relatively straight forward to produce. However the hardest (and significantly more costly) colours to produce are red, orange and white. Whilst orange and white are still able to offer reasonable afterglow performances, red only lasts 10-15 minutes which makes it the most expensive with the lowest afterglow.
How do I use STARGLOW Glow Powder ? Stardust Glow Powder or glow crystal as it is often referred to can been safely used in a multitude of mediums and vehicles. click here for more details
STARGLOW Paint is a safe water based acrylic paint which can be used indoors and out. click here for more details
What area will a pot of STARGLOW paint cover ? A 30ml pot of STARGLOW Paint will cover approximately an area the size of an A4 sheet of paper, a 60ml pot = A3, 120ml pot = A2 and 240ml pot = A1.
How long will your paints and powders keep glowing for ? This is very new technology that has only developed over the last few years. However, based on laboratory tests, the boffins estimate our paints and powders should enjoy an active lifespan of around 20 years, with a minimum active life of 10 years.
Are you able to supply business customers as well ? Yes of course. We supply all manner of customers from small craft shops and artists to industrial manufacturers.
Do you have a minimum order quantity ? No. For retail customers we accept all orders whatever their size. For smaller quantities and samples.
Do you supply other retailers or shops with STARGLOW Products ? No. Glowtec manufacture and retail exclusively through our online store and our eBay store. We do not supply our products to any third party retail outlet.
No. We ship worldwide (see our shipping policy).
Do you offer any guarantees for your products ? Absolutely. We are really very proud of all our products and confidently back them up with our Satisfaction Guarantee.
There are two types of Glow-in-the-Dark (GITD) technology in use today, one is Zinc Sulfide and the other newer form is Strontium Aluminate with Europium as an activator. This powder (or crystal) is a non-radioactive phosphorescent pigment produced from rare-earth elements and provides an extreme long-lived afterglow. This afterglow last about 10 times longer than conventional (Zinc Sulfide) pigments and is about 10 times brighter.
see 'What is Strontium-Aluminate'
Prior to the development of Strontium-Aluminate based Glow-in-the-Dark (GITD) pigments, most GITD products including children's toys and stick-up stars etc were manufacture using Zinc-Sulfide. Zinc-Sulfide whilst relatively inexpensive, only provided a poor afterglow which did not last longer than a few minutes.
What is Black Light and is it dangerous ? Have you ever been to a disco / party where the DJ used a long purple fluorescent tube that made anything white shine in the dark? That was Black-Light i.e. an Ultra-Violet light). Black-lights 'shine' Ultra-Violet light of which there are three kinds; A, B and C. The two most often referred to are B and C. These are the potentially harmful forms of UV, against which you should protect yourself when sunbathing etc. However it is UV 'A' that is emitted by a black light bulb and in this form it is completely harmless. Click here for a simple guide to UV and Blacklight.
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