Decals ??? What are they???

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Guys, help me out here. I get a emails daily asking if, quote "Are your decals real replacement emblems?" They question doesn't even make sense as the question answers it self. I even have a statement that we only sell decals and a link to the FAQ section if you don't know what a decal is.



Well it sticks why not call it a sticker? Well gum sticks too!



A sticker is a printed object with adhesive backing that has NO uv protection is NOT designed for outdoor use.



How should I word it as I'm really getting tired of people asking if they are decals when it's stated all over the web site as a "Decal".



Thanks,

SST

 

[Casey B]

"peel and stick decals"

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Actually, though I can understand your reluctance and potentially even your offense to calling them or them being called "stickers", that word, better than "decal" probably sums up to more people of all socio-economic backgrounds exactly what you sell.



I bet you explain what you sell to many people and often you hear "Oh, you mean 'stickers!'"



Don't blame people for "snapping" back to what they know. Most everyone knows "stickers".



My life experiences of model building has "taught" me that decals require water application/transfer, whereas "stickers" have self-adhesive backs and you typically peel and stick, as C said.



So, to that way of thinking, which do you sell: Stickers or Decals...or both?



TJR

 

[Boodrodon Dykes]

From dictionary.com



Decal: a specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass, etc.



Instead of paper I would put sticker, that would have explained it to me if I ddint know what it was.





Boodro

 

[Mark Santini]

I agree with TJ. When the word 'sticker'is used, it is understood as 'peel and stick'. When the word 'decal' is used, most of us imply that there is some sort of transfer involved after applying water, or another lubricant before transfering the decal,,,,,,,,,,simple enough to me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,out, Mark

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

C, "Peel & Stick" are stickers not decals.



Tom, SST did say that he sells decals not stickers, read carefully.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Oh, I read what he said, Roger, I just restated a couple of new definitions, one for decal and one for sticker, then asked SST which ones he sells given THOSE definitions.



Given those defs, I thought SST sold both...or do ALL (or any) of his decals require water transfer?



I guess what I was trying to say in my original post is sticker or decal, ultimately if SST thinks they are different things, then what differentiates ONE from the other. He mentions UV protection and outdoor use as differentiators for what he sells...that's fine, but in my mind that's not what changes something from being a sticker to being a decal.



TJR

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

TJ, I read it as he only sells decals, but I feel you are right in asking for more clarification.

 

[Mark Santini]

Could we get an answer from the NE part of the country????,,,,,,,,,,,just kidding, folks, but this is really getting involved for a simple post,,,,,,happens every time,,,,,,,,,,,,,love it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[OFF TRAC]

Quoting, ""Are your decals real replacement emblems?"



Maybe they think the decal is in itself a whole emblem, not just a "stick & peal" sticker/decal. They may think the decal is as thick as the emblem, that it's 3-D, not flat like a "sticker" and they may think or be asking because they don't know if they need to have the actual factory emblem/logo (Ford oval, Chevy Cross etc...) on the car/truck to apply your decals.



Oh well, just my 2 cents.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Right...Rodger.



The crux of the matter to me isn't so much what differentiates an "SST decal" from "regular Joe's sticker" but more generically what are the formal definitions and differences in definition between "decal" and "sticker"...if any. And, by definitions and differences I mean those that everyone would agree upon, not attributes of SST's decals that he can use as marketing and value propositions.



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

What off-trac said. The emblem is just that, a replacement emblem/badge. Then, when describing to people that his decals "aren't that", I suspect a lot of people say: "So, you are saying that they are a sticker!"...and as I said, I can see how SST takes offense with his product being called a sticker, because stickers are the kinds of things you get out of a cereal box, or a box of Cracker Jacks. Stickers are things little kids play with. These are DECALS!



TJR

 

[Gene Marshall]

I don't care what you call em. SST has the best out there. Sticker or poker, the end results are the same to me, maybe not her!!!

 

[Fred]

Tomayto, tomahto, potayto, potahto, let's call the whole thing off.

 

[TomT]

You could call them VEDS.

Vinyl Emblem Decal Sticker.

 

[Todd Z]

"you cant fix stupid"



Todd Z

 

[Travis Munday]

Just an example...



FAQs-



Q1) What is a 'decal'?

A1) A decal is similar to a sticker, but has additional qualities that are better suited for exterior application on a vehicle. My decals are X mills thick, or about the thickness of a sheet of copy paper. They feature semi-permenent adhesive that will last for many, many years. They also feature UV protection so as to not fade in the sun. Stickers, like what you can get from a parts store, lack these qualities. ... Go on and remind them of how happy they'll be and your return/happiness policy.



Q2) Are your 'decals' emblems?

A2) No, my decals are NOT emblems. My decals are only about the thickness of a sheet of copy paper and are meant to be placed on top of your existing decal, NOT A REPLACEMENT. You keep the factory emblem.



You should not only tell them what they ARE, but what they ARE NOT. Simple language, comparisons and the like so as to not confuse or leave any doubt.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

I have no frigging idea!... :wacko::lol:



But, oohh boy, SST's decals look great on my ST, color matched Ford logos all around (hub caps, grill, tailgate AND steering wheel!).



I've been thinking about taking pics and share them, but I haven't got time to do it... But I will.



So whatever you call them:



Thanks SST!!!

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I may be considered a hillbilly, but I always thought "decal" and "sticker" were synonyms.

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

LOL that was entertaining.



What I sell has to be put on with water. Otherwise, if you position it wrong or crooked your screwed because "IT" has already begun the process of adhering (noticed I didn't say stick...LOL) to the application area. Plus, you don't get bubbles when you apply it using the wet method.



I don't mind calling them stickers. In the racing industry they are called Decals. I'm only going by the real terminology.



Stickers also imply cheap.