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Adecal (/ˈdiːkæl/,US also/dɪˈkæl/,CAN/ˈdɛkəl/)[1] ortransfer is aplastic,cloth,paper, orceramicsubstrate that has printed on it apattern or image that can be moved to another surface uponcontact, usually with the aid ofheat orwater.
The word is short fordecalcomania, a decorative technique by which engravings and prints are transferred to pottery or other materials. The technique was invented bySimon François Ravenet (1706-1774), an engraver from France who later moved to England and perfected the process he called "décalquer" (which means "to copy by tracing"); it became widespread during the decal craze or mania of the late 19th century.
The term "decal" refers to the mass-produced art transfer in two different states:
1. As manufactured, which consists of the artwork printed on the upper side of a paper or filmlabel stock, temporarily affixed by a typically water or heat soluble adhesive to the upper side of a silicone- or other release agent-coated paper or film backing stock. Decals are produced, shipped, and stored in this composite state.
2. As applied, where only the adhesive-backed artwork remains, affixed to its desired (and appropriate) substrate, temporarily or permanently as designed.
Two variations include the traditionalwater-slide orwater-dip, with the artwork printed on water-resistant paper coated with a layer of water-soluble adhesive, and a drypeel-and-stick format using a standard adhesive—which technically is not a decal, as there is no "art transfer", rather an adhesive-backedlabel known as asticker or "vinyl-cut decal".[citation needed]
Mass-production of vinyl decals starts with large rolls of vinyl sheet. Vinyl is fed through acutting plotter or large-format printer/cutter which prints the desired image and cuts out the desired shapes. Designs are typically created using specialized computer software and sent to the machines electronically. Modern cutting systems have evolved to achieve sub-millimeter precision on die-cut decals through automated processes and sophisticated blade pressure control.[2]
After the patterns are cut, excess vinyl on the sheet is removed in a process calledweeding. Finally, a paper pre-mask[clarification needed] can be applied to the top of the vinyl design allowing easy application of multiple letters and shapes.[how?]
A recent innovation involves the inclusion of aradio frequency identification (RFID) circuit (chip and antenna) in the paper or film facestock.[why?][citation needed]
Decals were popularly associated from the mid-20th century on withhot rod automobiles andplastic models. Along withstickers they are used to "personalize" items, such as musical instruments or sports gear.
Government agencies (and some private-public partnerships) use permanent peel-and-stick stickers on vehicles for identification. These "decals" are referred to as fleet markings and are required by law on all fire and law enforcement vehicles in the US. Most fleet markings are created from reflective vinyl with an adhesive backing that is applied in a peel-and-stick manner.
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