Dave's Transformers Stuff Rant:

     Delta's Reprolabels Free Sample Pack

     I got these a few weeks ago, but I wanted to wait until
www.reprolabels.com had re-opened for business before posting a review (they
stop taking orders during the free giveaways).  Reprolabels.com makes
replacement sticker sheets for a number of Transformers, plus general sets of
faction symbols and some non-Transformers things as well.  The idea is to let
you take a worn old toy or even a knockoff and "dress it up" all pretty and
like new.  To that end, the reprolabels aren't just the sheets of stickers
that came with the toy, but also the labels that were factory-applied.
Additionally, they can be useful to those of us who do kitbashes and
repaints.
     The reprolabels come in two basic types.  One has just two layers with
adhesive between them, like a normal sticker.  The other kind is three
layers, usually clear on top, metal foil in the middle and then backing.  The
first type is easier to work with, but the second type generally looks
better.
     The labels are totally uncut, which saves expense and avoids miscut
labels.  Or, rather, it puts any blame for miscut labels on the buyer, not
the seller.  }->  The adhesive is very strong, which makes it tough to
separate the backing from the stickers, especially with the three-layer ones,
where you may accidentally peel off just the top layer, leaving the metal
foil behind.

     The free sample pack included a strip with G1 Autobot and Decepticon
symbols in several sizes, plus a small piece with two Cobra (GIJoe) symbols.
     The Cobra symbols are two-layer labels of a more rigid clear plastic.
It's easy enough to cut them to shape and then separate the backing with the
edge of an X-Acto.  Not having any Cobra toys around to experiment on, I put
one of the labels on the face of a thermometer in my living room, and it's
held just fine to this slightly curved surface for weeks.
     The TF symbols have a large (2cm) free-standing Autobot and Decepticon
symbol, two large 'Con symbols that appear to be intended for wingtips
(purple trapezoidal background), two medium (1cm) Autobot symbols, 1 tiny
(.5cm) Autobot symbol and 2 tiny Decepticon symbols.
     So far, I've only applied the tiny symbols.  With a little practice (and
one somewhat ruined 'Con symbol) I found that scoring the outline with an
X-Acto could cut through the top two layers without completely cutting
through the backing, letting me more easily pry up the insignia with the
X-Acto blade without risk of slipping and stabbing myself.  I put one 'Con
symbol on a curved chest surface, and it has stayed on without peeling up.
The tiny 'Bot symbol went on a recent kitbash, T-Bird (images can be found at
http://www.protoformproject.com/dvd/kitbash/tbird.html) and it looks nice.  I
think I may look into custom-ordering a sheet of just tiny faction symbols
for my kitbashes.  }->

     Overall, the current reprolabels are a big improvement over some of the
early versions I've seen around.  While still distinguishable from the
original stickers, they're pretty close now (and I do worry about fraudulent
sellers claiming C9 condition for an old TF jazzed up with reprolabels...
reconditioned is not the same as near-mint).  It's a small operation, so
orders may take a while to fill (and I don't care for the coding on the
webpage), but if you're looking to spruce up an old Transformer, this is a
good place to look.

     Dave Van Domelen, may put the "wingtip" 'Con symbols on his laptop....

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