Museums are Improving Their Exhibit Labels

Devoted exclusively to custom dry transfer decals, Image Transfers makes custom rub on dry transfers, foils & metallics. Guaranteed quality & color matching.

Jul 2, 2025 - 12:00
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Museums are Improving Their Exhibit Labels

When visitors enter a visual art exhibition, the captions may not be their primary focus. However, they are noticed and ultimately read by everyone. It is why curators and exhibition directors recognize the significance of having crisp, clear, and unobtrusive museum exhibit labels. If you're planning an exhibition, consider custom dry transfers. They allow you to apply lettering directly to the wall, resulting in a polished look that surpasses traditional caption cards and requires minimal effort for installation. Simply place the transfer sheet at the desired location on the wall and rub it on in one easy step.

Visitors often remark that custom dry transfers, when used as museum captions, appear as though they are printed directly on the wall. It is due to the superior aesthetic quality of rub-on dry transfers compared to other methods, such as stick-on vinyl lettering or water-slide decals. Made from adhesive-backed lacquer ink, these transfers maintain remarkable crispness and clarity, even in small sizes. They are created from digital files that you provide, ensuring accuracy—what you design and submit is what you get back. In the visual world, having control over appearance is paramount to success.

For major exhibitions, the possibility of last-minute changes or urgent turnarounds is quite common. Fortunately, custom dry transfer wall labels can be produced in as little as 24 to 48 hours without compromising on quality. This capability offers peace of mind, especially if you anticipate needing to make adjustments right up to the deadline. Additionally, if you need to replace a caption, the transfer wording can be easily removed and updated without damaging the wall surface. These transfers work effectively on various surfaces, including sculpture pedestals or glass exhibit cases.

The ease of application and the clarity of small lettering make custom dry transfers unmatched by any other method. Their increasing popularity and adoption among museum professionals are evident. While many prefer standard black or white inks, those curating contemporary art exhibits may opt for colors from an extensive selection of Pantone hues without any complications. For first-time users applying dry transfers, the process often comes as a pleasant surprise, as the application is quick and tidy. Few tasks involved in setting up an art exhibition are as straightforward and dependable.