I have built a number of fly rods this past year. They are all different sizes and weights, I have all of the info on the blanks I have used. The labels that came with the blanks are OK but I want my own custom label, nothing tacky just a small logo and the size, wt of the rod. Where can I get labels either made or make them myself. I am going to build 4 or 5 more rods this year so maybe a cheap label printer would work but dont know about them either. Also I need to know how to apply them for the best results.

Decal Connection or Island Decals would be my choice.

Epson LW-C610PX Premium Portable Wireless Label Maker Machine for Home and Hobbies - $89 but you'll supply batteries. You can buy the plug in adaptor for another $20 I believe.

Buy one of these and make your own. Works through Bluetooth with an app on your phone. It has higher resolution for great labels on rods.

You'll need to purchase the right tape for what you want, either black on clear or white on clear. Metallic on clear exists as well. Tape can be bought through epson or through Decal Printers/LRT Group (one of the site sponsors): [www.lrtgroup.com]

Application is as follows:
1. Apply thin layer of finish to blank where label is to be applied and let cure.
2. Trim label close and avoid sharp corners.
3. Apply a long piece of scotch tape to surface of label, covering entire label
4. Apply small piece of scotch tape to BACKING of label as a sort of handle
5. Remove small piece of tape and label backing
6. Apply label to blank and burnish from inside out.
7. Slowly Remove scotch tape from burnished label.
8. Cover with thin layer of thread finish.

Here's a good video from mudhole. They don't mention applying the thin layer of finish first, but I find it helps hide the edges especially on matte finish blanks: [youtu.be]

Unless you're going to be doing a lot of decals-labels, it's hard to go wrong with Decal Connection. I believe that Mud Hole also offers a custom decal service.

......

Hello Ed.

Here are a few articles about decals, have fun.

Volume/Issue............Article...............Author.................................Page.
26/2 Custom Graphics By Nuno Paulino. 16
12/1 Decal Tips & Tricks! Their Electric. By Tom Kirkman. 16
9/2 Decaling, The Art of. By Jimi Ellis. 22
12/1 Decals & Labels, They're Electric. By Bobby Feazel. 10
18/5 Decals For Your Custom Rod (From The Pearl Lable Makers). By Pat Barnard. 14

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

I second the recommendation to get a printer from LRTGroup. Larry is very helpful in setting up your system. Once you get it, you can play around with different looks to match your style and the size/color of the rod.

Good luck.

I can't vouch for any another source than Decal Connection. Superb all the way around.

If you need more information on the EPSON LW-610, let me know. I have them in stock. I also can offer our custom ribbon color of: Chrome Silver on Clear or on Black in 1/2" or 1" for this model.

Larry Tobin
LRT Group, Inc.
www.lrtgroup.com
larry@lrtgroup.com
954-257-6224



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2024 08:32PM by Larry Tobin.

I'll give the same advice I give about power wrapping stations , if you're considering purchasing one ask yourself how many rods do you really plan on building and then decide if the cost makes sense . Same deal with labels , if you don't plan on building lots and lots of rods I would go with Decal Connection but if you do plan on getting heavily involved in the rod building business and don't mind the extra cost of a label maker and the accessories that go with it then by all means do what makes the most financial sense to you .

What are you using to design your labels that you print yourself?

For the Epson LW-C610PX, the Epson Label Editor Mobile App is what I use.

I also downlod free fronts to my phone from dafont.com so I can have more font options. As long as you're just using the labels for personal use (can't be making money from it) most of the fonts are free. If you want a license, you have that option as well for some of them.

Decal connection is amazing. I have a fantastic experience with them for the orders I have placed.

Using an EPSON decal printer, printing on a 1/2" wide standard tape will cost you about 0.06¢ per inch or using the 1" wide, standard tape will cost you about 0.07¢ per inch. You have control of font and graphics. This is a 1 color printer and all the EPSON printers come with software, apps and a Lifetime Warranty, no questions asked. We can send samples of any of our tapes.

Larry Tobin
LRT Group, Inc.
www.lrtgroup.com
larry@lrtgroup.com
954-257-6224

Larry - really looking forward to the silver on clear and gold on clear I just ordered. I'll post some pics once I get a few labels on rods.

Has anyone experimented with painting below or on top of labels to add color to an otherwise 1 color label? Maybe printing a sort of cutout and adding color below it with paint to fill in the cutouts?

I use a Brother P-Touch label maker. They have gold, white, blue, green and red on clear.

Lance Schreckenbach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I use a Brother P-Touch label maker. They have
> gold, white, blue, green and red on clear.

Lance, what is the cartridge ref you're using in your P-Touch?

I used decal connection for the first time and was very pleased with their service and choice of products. They're shipping rate was far.

K-SUN PEARLABEL MAKER

Daryl Ferguson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Decal Connection or Island Decals would be my
> choice.

Hi Daryl, can you share a link to Island decal? i just seem to get Hawaiian island decal as a return.

steve hall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Daryl Ferguson Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Decal Connection or Island Decals would be my
> > choice.
>
> Hi Daryl, can you share a link to Island decal? i
> just seem to get Hawaiian island decal as a
> return.


I mis-typed. It's actually Decals by Island Time. I don't know if they have a website or not, but if you do a google search, their FB link will pop up. Another good option is Decal Connection. Their link is on the side of this page in the sponsor links.