I am looking for best practices when it comes to applying labels straight. I order my labels from decal connection and they go on with ease and look amazing. Very frustrating to spend the time on a rod and have a crooked label. My epoxy is level and covers perfectly. My only ask is how do you ensure you have the label perfectly in line. Really hoping “eyeballing” it is not the best method because that’s not working for me.

Thanks,
David

The technique I use when applying decals is to start at one edge of the decal with just enough backing pulled off to be able to press down and lightly tack that edge to the blank. You will find it easy enough to pivot the decal around that tack point for alignment. I then take a rounded tool, like the handle of my thread pick or burnishing tool and then slowly start rubbing horizontally across the decal so only a thin line lays down while slowly removing the backing. By the time you get a half inch or so of the decal tacked down, you should be able to see how the text is tracking. If it's off, pull it back, pivot, and try again. After a couple attempts your decal should lay down nicely and you can work your way from the center line out, laying down the decal and pushing air out along the way. Keeping as much backing on the decal as possible during the tacking and alignment process reduces the chance of fingerprints in the adhesive and prevents the decal from accidentally falling down onto the blank.

Another technique is to use alignment marks. You can put a wrap of masking tape on either side of where your decal will go and scribe a line across the tape to use as a reference. A Google search for self-centering scribe should give you an idea of some of the commercially available options or ideas to make your own to be able to center the lines on the blank. Once you have the lines on the tape, you can align the bottom of a row of text with your line and all will be good to go. If going this route, you could ask Decal Connection to add little alignment tick marks to your labels that can be used in conjunction with your alignment marks. Since you will likely wrap over the edges of the decal a bit, this can be a good way to cut down on the guesswork.

David,
Admittedly, my method involves “eye-balling” but I have modified it to compensate for my old eyes and it keeps the decal straight every time. Simply cut a piece of household cellophane tape 4-6in longer than the decal, hold it over the decal getting it aligned as best possible and then slowly lower the tape down onto the decal. Remove the backing of the decal and hold the ends of the tape and hover it over the area desired for the placement of the decal. With your fingers so far away from the decal, the decal moves a fraction of what your fingers do so it is easy to fine-tune the angle. Slowly lower the decal / tape to the blank, press / burnish from the center out, peel off the tape / transfer tape and you’re done.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Alignment marks as Joe said. They help me get them a little less crooked. Everything's a little crooked the blanks, me, the decals.

nothings perfect..right Lynn..lol.

Have your spouse or special other do the job. Then, it will be perfect every time!!

I was doing some labeling last evening and found that by using both hands, and using adjacent fingers to brace the fingers holding the label, it was ultra easy to have the lapel perfectly straight - with no issues at all.

I had always been using one hand before, and it was all right - but using both hands - it was easy to brace the holding fingers by the other fingers and align the label quickly and easily.

Take care

I tape a thread at each end, down the center of the blank, where I want the top of the label to go, and align to that.