THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor.

          
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-06-2023, 04:32 PM
Verdoro 68's Avatar
Verdoro 68 Verdoro 68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Clayton, CA
Posts: 2,806
Default Better decals and labels

I've been kicking around the idea of starting a project to create some better underhood and interior decals. There's a lot to be desired in terms of the fonts, spacing and colors used on many of the reproductions.

I haven't done anything like this before, so I'm not really sure what I'm in for, but thought I might give it a try. A number of years ago PB made a more correct 455 HO air cleaner decal, so I know it can be done. I'm looking for something to serve as an experiment. Wondering if you all have any particular example decals that are commonly used, but way off the mark...or maybe a label that hasn't been reproduced before?

Here's an example of a '65 tire pressure decal. Not only are the fonts and spacing wrong, the original appears have been a water slide.

Original:


Reproduction:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	repro_tire_decal.jpg
Views:	1412
Size:	46.0 KB
ID:	604694  

__________________
Ken
'68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around)
'95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics)
The Following User Says Thank You to Verdoro 68 For This Useful Post:
  #2  
Old 01-06-2023, 05:09 PM
kingbuzzo's Avatar
kingbuzzo kingbuzzo is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 631
Default

good idea boss...i could really use one of these


  #3  
Old 01-14-2023, 01:24 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,914
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kingbuzzo View Post
good idea boss...i could really use one of these


https://www.ebay.com/itm/273182255283

Even better...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/393022727391

__________________
So long, farewell.

Last edited by Held for Ransom; 01-14-2023 at 01:30 PM.
  #4  
Old 01-15-2023, 12:05 AM
kingbuzzo's Avatar
kingbuzzo kingbuzzo is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 631
Default

Lol perfect

  #5  
Old 01-06-2023, 05:17 PM
Verdoro 68's Avatar
Verdoro 68 Verdoro 68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Clayton, CA
Posts: 2,806
Default

LOL - that one might be a Day 2 addition. I'm guessing it was placed next to the "ass, grass or cash: no one rides for free" sticker.

__________________
Ken
'68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around)
'95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics)
  #6  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:51 PM
turbo69bird's Avatar
turbo69bird turbo69bird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,421
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Verdoro 68 View Post
LOL - that one might be a Day 2 addition. I'm guessing it was placed next to the "ass, grass or cash: no one rides for free" sticker.
I had that sticker on my first 69 firebird 😂

__________________
Happiness is just a turbocharger away!
960 HP @ 11 psi, 9.70 at 146.
Iron heads, iron stock 2 bolt block , stock crank, 9 years haven't even changed a spark plug!
selling turbos and turbo related parts since 2005!
  #7  
Old 01-14-2023, 12:10 PM
GT182's Avatar
GT182 GT182 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: New Castle, Delaware - Member of POFC
Posts: 8,833
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Verdoro 68 View Post
LOL - that one might be a Day 2 addition. I'm guessing it was placed next to the "ass, grass or cash: no one rides for free" sticker.
I'd like to have a couple of those "ass, grass or cash: no one rides for free" stickers. For nostalgia reasons only. LOL

__________________


Gary
Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On!
Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood
MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966
"Crusin' Is Not A Crime"
Keep yer stick on the ice.
  #8  
Old 01-14-2023, 01:15 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,914
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GT182 View Post
I'd like to have a couple of those "ass, grass or cash: no one rides for free" stickers. For nostalgia reasons only. LOL

I don't remember cash being one of the choices.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203694592870

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #9  
Old 01-06-2023, 05:50 PM
kingbuzzo's Avatar
kingbuzzo kingbuzzo is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 631
Default

haha never seen that one...

  #10  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:00 PM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,922
Default

I've always wondered why a person can't just bed scan, or hand scan originals into a bitmap and touch them up pixel by pixel rather than trying to match fonts etc. ... basically just take a digital "picture" of an original and go from there.

__________________
I'm World's Best Hyperbolist !!
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to dataway For This Useful Post:
  #11  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:21 PM
HoovDaddy's Avatar
HoovDaddy HoovDaddy is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Michigan
Posts: 271
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dataway View Post
basically just take a digital "picture" of an original and go from there.
It's very easy to re-create these decals with the right software, with the right vinyl you can print them at home. I do all of that stuff in Corel PhotoPaint. I have PhotoShop, but never use it.

The big thing with aftermarket decals is the adhesive is not as good as OEM.

For kicks I created this window sticker for our Firebird. I scanned both sides of the window sticker from my dad's '69 Grand Prix and copied the font and spacing. I used the data from my PHS documents. Not perfect but fun to do.

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	WINDOW STICKER JPG no VIN.jpg
Views:	1135
Size:	87.4 KB
ID:	604705  

__________________
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=585876&stc=1&d=1646964  761[SIGPIC]

Last edited by HoovDaddy; 01-06-2023 at 07:14 PM.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to HoovDaddy For This Useful Post:
  #12  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:31 PM
johnta1's Avatar
johnta1 johnta1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: now sunny Florida!
Posts: 21,237
Default

You know the dealer codes are not for Pete Ganis Pontiac?
Wrong zone too.



__________________
John Wallace - johnta1
Pontiac Power RULES !!!
www.wallaceracing.com

Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova
Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats

KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever!


"Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts."

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates
  #13  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:53 PM
turbo69bird's Avatar
turbo69bird turbo69bird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,421
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HoovDaddy View Post
It's very easy to re-create these decals with the right software, with the right vinyl you can print them at home. I do all of that stuff in Corel PhotoPaint. I have PhotoShop, but never use it.

The big thing with aftermarket decals is the adhesive is not as good as OEM.

For kicks I created this window sticker for our Firebird. I scanned both sides of the window sticker from my dad's '69 Grand Prix and copied the font and spacing. I used the data from my PHS documents. Not perfect but fun to do.

That’s as good or better than the one I bought for my car. It’s not the same as originals I’ve seen textually, yours is.

__________________
Happiness is just a turbocharger away!
960 HP @ 11 psi, 9.70 at 146.
Iron heads, iron stock 2 bolt block , stock crank, 9 years haven't even changed a spark plug!
selling turbos and turbo related parts since 2005!
  #14  
Old 01-07-2023, 02:48 PM
turbo69bird's Avatar
turbo69bird turbo69bird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,421
Default

That’s as good or better than the one I bought for my car. It’s not the same as originals I’ve seen textually, yours is.[/QUOTE]

__________________
Happiness is just a turbocharger away!
960 HP @ 11 psi, 9.70 at 146.
Iron heads, iron stock 2 bolt block , stock crank, 9 years haven't even changed a spark plug!
selling turbos and turbo related parts since 2005!
  #15  
Old 01-13-2023, 10:14 PM
mrennie's Avatar
mrennie mrennie is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cochrane, ON (we have polar bears)
Posts: 1,434
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dataway View Post
I've always wondered why a person can't just bed scan, or hand scan originals into a bitmap and touch them up pixel by pixel rather than trying to match fonts etc. ... basically just take a digital "picture" of an original and go from there.
Been doing just that to recreate the cruise decal. Takes a lonnnnngggg time. Still have to clean up the arrow and the border.

Will share when I finish.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Cruise decal.jpg
Views:	175
Size:	71.2 KB
ID:	605135  

__________________
Michael


Oshawa built 1 option Judge basket case. 463, SD KRE 295's, CNC'd factory intake, Cliff's Qjet, Stump Puller HR cam, RARE RA manifolds, Pypes exhaust, T56 Magnum, McLeod RXT clutch, 3.42 12 bolt. 24 year project almost done...
The Following User Says Thank You to mrennie For This Useful Post:
  #16  
Old 01-06-2023, 06:57 PM
turbo69bird's Avatar
turbo69bird turbo69bird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,421
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Verdoro 68 View Post
I've been kicking around the idea of starting a project to create some better underhood and interior decals. There's a lot to be desired in terms of the fonts, spacing and colors used on many of the reproductions.

I haven't done anything like this before, so I'm not really sure what I'm in for, but thought I might give it a try. A number of years ago PB made a more correct 455 HO air cleaner decal, so I know it can be done. I'm looking for something to serve as an experiment. Wondering if you all have any particular example decals that are commonly used, but way off the mark...or maybe a label that hasn't been reproduced before?

Here's an example of a '65 tire pressure decal. Not only are the fonts and spacing wrong, the original appears have been a water slide.

Original:


Reproduction:
If hoovdaddy can’t hook you up I know someone who can make them for you I’d have to dig out his info but he does a lot of nostalgia drag race decals. I gave him my super stock nationals original decal I found in my car under the dash to copy and they came out perfect and mine was shriveled up from heat and age he does nice work, . He sells them online now.

__________________
Happiness is just a turbocharger away!
960 HP @ 11 psi, 9.70 at 146.
Iron heads, iron stock 2 bolt block , stock crank, 9 years haven't even changed a spark plug!
selling turbos and turbo related parts since 2005!
  #17  
Old 01-06-2023, 08:09 PM
Verdoro 68's Avatar
Verdoro 68 Verdoro 68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Clayton, CA
Posts: 2,806
Default

FWIW, I've been a professional graphic designer for 25+ years and know the tools and process pretty well. I was looking for a project to connect my two passions while helping the hobby. I saw a gap in the quality and accuracy of decals and thought that might be a good place to start.

__________________
Ken
'68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around)
'95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics)
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Verdoro 68 For This Useful Post:
  #18  
Old 01-06-2023, 08:32 PM
Shiny's Avatar
Shiny Shiny is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Centennial CO
Posts: 1,898
Default

Also FWIW, I once tried to match a digital font like that and gave up after scouring several online font collections I could find. I think I was trying to recreate tach graphics at the time...

I concluded it was easier to copy and touch up an image as dataway suggests but I don't have access to professional resources and experience that you have. Even touching up a scanned image, I had to run it through image processing software to dilate and sharpen/soften edges. The printing process will likely be different than the original, which you know will influence the accuracy of the finished product. This may make it difficult to reproduce accurately even if you have the right font.

If you get into "customized" labels with serial numbers, date codes, etc., that may be a bigger challenge. If you are a pro, I'm curious what it would cost to have a font developed for you? How is that even done?

No question there's a market for more accurate reproductions of MANY labels but I am clueless about that and not your market. Obviously many repros like the one you shared were printed with the wrong font and ended up being close, but different.

The Following User Says Thank You to Shiny For This Useful Post:
  #19  
Old 01-06-2023, 10:24 PM
gto4ben gto4ben is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 192
Default

Yes, I've been busy making decals for my 67. I also made the instrument cluster and jack usage and stowage. Injet vinyl sheet adhesives appear to tolerate automotive use well.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	A.I.R..jpg
Views:	204
Size:	79.4 KB
ID:	604717   Click image for larger version

Name:	repro vs original vs made.jpg
Views:	227
Size:	65.9 KB
ID:	604718   Click image for larger version

Name:	8-track.jpg
Views:	204
Size:	50.9 KB
ID:	604719   Click image for larger version

Name:	correct Top Hat Fan & Radiator.jpg
Views:	192
Size:	80.6 KB
ID:	604720   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20180912_131835.jpg
Views:	202
Size:	83.6 KB
ID:	604721  


The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to gto4ben For This Useful Post:
  #20  
Old 01-07-2023, 11:11 AM
Shiny's Avatar
Shiny Shiny is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Centennial CO
Posts: 1,898
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gto4ben View Post
Yes, I've been busy making decals for my 67. I also made the instrument cluster and jack usage and stowage. Injet vinyl sheet adhesives appear to tolerate automotive use well.
That glovebox label looks identical to the original. Nice work on all of them.

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:32 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017