Patent ID: 8147907

Claim:
A method of preparing a retroreflective sheet with an image comprising: providing a transparent polymeric spacing layer having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface has a monolayer of transparent microsphere lenses adhered thereto; heating the spacing layer and pressing the microspheres into the spacing layer to varying depths by an embedding roll having elevated and/or depressed regions to lower the reflectivity to create a directional quality to form an image, wherein the first surface of the spacing layer adheres to and conforms to the bottom of the microspheres and the second surface of the spacing layer curves at the location of each microsphere and the spacing layer thickness between the bottom of different microspheres and the second surface of the spacing layer are not all the same; applying at least one protective layer over the top surfaces of the embedded microspheres; and applying a reflective layer to the second surface of the spacing layer.