Lately, artificial intelligence is making big news as the latest phase in the digital revolution. But some things are enduring even as the world is in a period of rapid change. A perfect example is dry transfer decals. They continue in wide use for everything from gallery labels to product prototypes. It’s because of their quality, ease of use, and economical pricing. Physical objects continue to be needed in our lives, and when they require letters, logos, and other details, rub-on transfers have value. They are easy to use indoors on any clean, smooth surface – plastic, metal, wood, glass, walls, and more.
Anyone who has applied letters and other graphic details to an object using other methods becomes a fan or transfers decals after using them. Their appearance is second to none, and rubbing them on takes little effort. When they arrive, the adhesive is already applied to them, and you simply rub them on. It’s an enormous advantage over stick-on vinyl letters that leave you smoothing out air bubbles. They’re also easier to use than water-slide decals that go on wet and may damage water-sensitive surfaces like wood or wallboard. The dry application process with precisely enough adhesive is always perfect.
Gallerists and museum curators are among the more recent converts to transfer decals. They’re using them for wall labels, also known as exhibit captions. The decals rubbed onto the wall look better than caption cards and can be easier to read. As cultural institutions struggle to engage visitors and boost attendance, improving the captions can help. The art world also requires precision; anyone who has seen transfer decals wall labels can attest to their outstanding appearance. The readability is excellent, even in minute sizes. They’re better than laser-printed cards in many ways and complement artworks.
If you’re asking yourself how it all began, industrial designers were the original champions of dry transfer decals. Most often, they used them for product prototypes. It then extended to trade show booths for those products (interior signage, logos, artwork) and continued from there. Corporate users often order custom dry transfers for branded interior signs. The decals come in any color, with black and white as the top sellers. They’re ideal for small and medium indoor signs. If you have a similar use or can think of a new one, try ordering decals and see for yourself how good they look.
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