The main difference between Letraset®, and similar brands such as DECAdry, and that of dry transfers is the design. Letraset®, comes in specific sheets of letters, numbers, lines or symbols. The most common would be a sheet of Arial in 12pt with all the letters of the alphabet, including additional vowels and some punctuation. With dry transfers, you can have any design that can be drawn or designed as a vector (see further down for vector details). This allows for the exact design you require to be made into a dry transfer. Dry transfers are also more delicate, they need their back sheet on whenever you are not using them so the adhesive is kept intact.
An Example
Say, for example, you need to create props for a film about a wizard. In the film, the wizard picks up a book with, what looks like, dedicate gold foiling detail. The design features flourishes and swirls, and the title of the book has an unusual font that looks handwritten in style.
Of course, the book does not exist, but as a designer, you can generate the visuals for the book jacket in a program that creates vectors, (or use our design service).
These designs can then be made into a dry transfer sheet in a gold finish that can then be rubbed onto a blank book to make it look like a real book. The dry transfer sheet would have all the elements laid out on an A4 sheet in no particular order, making use of all the space, so some details might be repeated; appearing in various sizes on the sheet.
If you were using Letraset®, for the same project you would have to acquire sheets of letters and elements in the colour you require and rub each individual letter or symbol onto the prop, hoping each letter lines up with the last. You would also be tied, design-wise, to their offering. If they don’t have a handwritten font available you would have to choose a script font perhaps.
Both are dry transfers so the process for applying them is the same. See our video for a quick view of how to apply our dry transfers.
Custom made dry transfers, exactly what you require
A large factor when choosing a dry transfer is the market for them. Letraset and DECAdry are actually no longer manufactured so it will be a task to find the exact sheets for your project.
By ordering a dry transfer through our service you can have sheets of the exact design you require.
Recent examples include;
- Operational wording and box outlines for the dashboard of a model aircraft project
- Decorative pattern for one-off crockery prop set to be smashed on a TV series
- Labelling and text for a display and art exhibition, onto plinths and walls
- Informative and directional text with UK flag for manufactured stereo systems
- Logo and text for a satellite prototype
- Text and design for bespoke marketing products to be shown in a large London-based department store.
Dry transfers are often used on props, prototypes and home built projects making them difficult to share visually as the items they are featured on are very much secretive up to production or publishing.
A huge range of colours
Our dry transfers are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. From Pantone to CMYK, with matt, satin, gloss and foil finishes.
What is a vector design?
A vector is a type of design based on mathematical formulas. So the design itself has points, lines and curves making a crisper and cleaner artwork. It can be scaled up or down without loss in resolution or quality. Such programs as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw can create vector graphics. Ensure all fonts and drawings are selected and made into ‘outlines’ so that they are shapes. Save your file as a PDF, .ai or .eps for us to produce the dry transfers.
Your dry transfer order
Once received your dry transfers can be applied to your product or project and can be kept for years, as long as it is with their back sheet.
Order your dry transfers now, contact us for advice or use our design service to produce what you require.
Call 01403 255442 or email: design@belsigns.com