Original body decal

marcel kristoff

marcel kristoff

Junior Member
I have a related/not related question. I am wanting to replicate an original ‘decal’ found on the body of my 1928 AA truck. My question is, what is the type of decal or sticker called? It was obviously not a plotter cut piece of vinyl, and it isn’t hand lettered. What did they use back then? Was it similar to the decals on plastic model kits? What is the proper name for that type of sticker?
 
Marcel,
Most likely in those days it would have been a water transfer decal. A multi layer process to make them, most likely screen printed, 1st screen a layer of glue, next layer(s) would be colors then a clear layer on top. Soak it in water and it slides off of the backing paper.
Ed
 
In the day, image was built up by printing separate colours [ also gold & silver] & black using separate letterpress printing plates. Printed on 'transfer 'paper with top sealed layer. As Ed stated above.
If you photo your existing 'decal' transfer, you can get modern type decal paper to copy it onto. I presume it is a Canadian body builders decal as most '28 '29 Canadian cabs were custom made?. If you look online, there are some youtube vids showing how to make custom decals for guitar headstocks which should be of help.
 
Yes you can buy printer paper to do your own "water slide" decals. With all the high tech graphic arts capability out there these days its fairly easy to get original images reproduced.... often easier to get vinyl appliques than true water slide decals though. Just as a historical aside, "decal" is an abbreviation for decalcomania. I see the original word in parts literature from back in the 20's and 30 's
Joe B
 
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