Help me find old-school decals!

January 27, 2009 11:08 PM

What are these labels/decals called? Where can I get some?

I occasionally see a particular type of label on old typewriters and other vintage made-of-metal objects. They're often used to identify a dealer, seller, or service center, and they're sometimes obscenely beautiful: intense reds, shimmering metallics, and distinctive period layouts.

Some of them appear to be waterslide decals of some sort, but they're a lot thicker and more durable than what I used to put on model airplanes when I was a kid. I want some, but I don't want to print out crappy inkjet approximations -- I want the real deal!

I assume that somewhere there's an old-school print shop that would know what I meant if I called and asked for [some of those old decals that they used to use to identify the local Royal service center in the 1930s]. But what do I ask for, and who do I call?

Examples here and here. I assume that the "Royal" lettering is of the same ilk, just clearcoated, right?

I'm in Chicago, but getting the real thing is more important than where I get it.

Thanks!

posted by fracas to grab bag (7 comments total)

I wonder if they are anodized aluminum? There's a process by which dyes can be printed on aluminum during the anodization process and they get embedded in the metal oxide matrix. They can be very bright.

A place I worked for 30 years ago used anodized aluminum to make face plates for portable instruments, and printed all the button and knob labels on the anodized aluminum using that process.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:25 PM on January 27

I imagine you could find some of these on eBay. Even if you don't purchase any there, typing in the brand/company name of the decals that have pictures for will eventually yield some results which may list the actual name these go by.
posted by dhammond at 11:27 PM on January 27

American Nameplate
They're in Chicago.
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 11:46 PM on January 27

I bet this guy knows.
posted by rhizome at 1:14 AM on January 28

I know exactly what you are talking about. I've also seen it as inventory control stickers on old office furniture and filing cabinets. I think it is a form of waterslide decal, but I'd guess it was probably solvent based. Almost like one would use shellac as the "water", slide the decal onto the item, and then blot the shellac up.

If they are what I'm thinking of, they aren't "metal" like a more modern nameplate or tag, then are much thinner.

There's a guy I saw on TV who does old school door and window lettering for commerical buildings in Chicago- he outlines the letters in black paint, and then inlays them in gold leaf. These decals have that sort of a quality to them.
posted by gjc at 3:38 AM on January 28

Restoring pianos we often have to put new decals on fallboards etc.

They are always rub in decals that have to be clear coated afterwards.
posted by Max Power at 4:51 AM on January 28

Hmm, they aren't metal nameplates, like the kind you might see riveted to the side of machinery or electrical panels, and they were definitely added after the items were manufactured, so that rules out the anodizing process. Also, they're definitely not vinyl stickers, so that rules out one more option.

But I think gjc is right on the money with the inventory-control tags for old office furniture -- I've seen these decals in that sort of application too. And Max Power's comments got me thinking about other instances where you might need to replace original decals or make new custom ones.

All of this brought me to people like Bedlam Creations, who make custom waterslide and rub-on decals for scale miniatures, and sites like BigDecal.com, which offers replacement waterslide decals for vintage Fender guitars, made using a two-color print process and metallic inks.

Based on that information, I think what I'm looking for is a producer of vintage-style metallic waterslide decals which are hopefully topcoated with lacquer for durability. Now that I at least know what to ask for, it's time to spend a few hours sending emails and calling my local print shops.


Thanks for all your help, MeFi peeps!
posted by fracas at 8:34 AM on January 28