Decals

The majority of the rods I make for people are ice rods built for panfish to walleyes which usually have a 0.20″-0.30″ diameter where I would write on the blanks. Its not that easy to write a name using a paint pen on something that small. Its no problem on open water rods or heavy ice rods. I checked with a few local decal places and they aren’t able to print anything that small, or something that will show on the blank.

What do other people on here use to put a name, or anything, on small diameter ice rods you are building?

P-Touch label maker. I’ve used Color X on clear ribbon. Set the font as tiny as you can. Trim the excess label off and place on the blank. I usually do a few wraps at each end for 2 things. A decorative touch to it and to hold it in place until the epoxy sets

Randy Wieland wrote:

P-Touch label maker. I’ve used Color X on clear ribbon. Set the font as tiny as you can. Trim the excess label off and place on the blank. I usually do a few wraps at each end for 2 things. A decorative touch to it and to hold it in place until the epoxy sets

That is a great idea. I will have to look into that some more.

Any problems with the edges curling from the epoxy reaction? most of the time its not an issue with decals as long as you let your epoxy sit for a little after mixing.

I’ve used Brady label makers on computer cabling for years, transparent labels are large enough to wrap over the print. Another option.

I bought a P-Touch label maker last spring and have been using it with luck. You can’t even see them on the open water rods I made this summer. I started working on some rods for people this fall and have been having the worst luck. All of the labels are curling up. In the past I have waited about a half hour after mixing the epoxy to put it on the label to prevent that and it works perfectly. last night I waited for 45 minutes and they all curled. I even tried a test after 1.5 hours and that separated the top laminate layer from the label.

You guys have that issue at all?

I put a tiny trim wrap at each end

I use clear decal printer paper. Print out your label and spray clear lacquer on it. Then you soak it in water for 30 sec and put onto the rod. Put a coat of rod finish over it when it is dry. I felt the label maker labels were too stiff for my liking. The decal one will form to the little height changes on size a thread from one wrap to the other. Most printers wont print white. You can use silver or add a white / bright color wrap to place the decal over.