DOMED LABELS ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Because they're made with a completely mercury-free two-part crystal clear polyurethane resin, they're resistant to scratches, abrasions, water, rust and fading. They're also chemical-resistant and won't yellow. They don't even mind weather changes. That's why this tough construction makes 3D domes a no-brainer for utilitarian purposes on cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, bicycles and appliances. You also see them used a lot on computers, tools, toolboxes, plumbing fixtures and bathtubs.

The domed decals below were printed to go on heavily textured cloth first aid kits. A "standard" decal wouldn't have worked in this instance; and the effect of resin doming on the decals adds value to the overall product.

Moving Images Technologies® (MiT®) came to us for their domed decals, because they wanted the look and quality that only a resin dome could achieve, but they had a problem. The equipment cases they were to go on were very heavily textured (think orange-peel-texured metal). Because we love a puzzle, through trial and error we solved it. By using two layers of this same high tack adhesive, we were able to give them the durability they needed, with the look they wanted.

HOW DOMED DECALS ARE MADE

Domes start out like any other vinyl decal. They're either 4-color-process or spot-color screen printed, UV offset, or digitally printed on white, Mylar or chrome high tack-vinyl. The sheets of decals are then kiss cut. That means we cut through the vinyl without cutting through the backing material. The vinyl that surrounds the decals or labels is then removed, so that we're left with a paper sheet of isolated stickers.

Below is a diagram of the process and layers Dilco uses in domed decal printing. The substrate can be vinyl, Mylar®, or Lexan® polycarbonate.

The doming machine is set so that individual nozzles line up to the position of each of the decals on the backing material; i.e., four rows of five across, etc. The machine will then mix both parts of the resin to be poured on top of each vinyl decal. The critical step is calculating the exact amount of resin to be poured. It has to be enough to completely cover the face of the decal without going over or stopping short of the edges. Once they have been domed, the decals cure for 24 hours. What you're left with is a crystal clear, glossy 3-dimensional domed decal that's as hard-wearing as it is stunning.

Roughly 90% of the domed decals we make are shipped in sheets to be peeled off at the manufacturer's factory. The other 10% are die-cut a second time to remove them from their paper backing sheet, resulting in individual domes.

MAKE YOUR BRAND STAND APART WITH DOMED DECALS

Whether used in a promotional giveaway or on your finished product, three-dimensional domed decals will differentiate you from the other guy. Think of it like a spotlight on your branding.