For many anglers, putting the elements of a fishing rod together to create a totally one of a kind rod is part of the whole fishing process. Other folks who create rods on a commercial basis also need to have some way to let buyers know the rod’s weight, length, action and brand name. For many anglers, decoration and individual labeling is a big part of a rod, whether the rod is one of a kind for personal use or if the rod is a part of a commercial run or hundreds of rods. But it is hard to put decoration or labeling on a fishing rod. Trying to write neatly and cleanly on a circular rod blank is next to impossible. So rod makers, whether an individual or a company producing many rods, need some help when it comes to putting important information on a fishing rod. One of the things that can create a particular fishing rod’s appearance and labeling is a custom made and applied decal. These attractive and durable custom fishing rod decals are far from a “sticker” which has no long term value and no endurance.
Modern fishing rod decals can be created to show both beauty and utility, and a rod builder can design her or his own particular design and decoration.
One of the better rod decal design and production companies is Decal Connection, and we spoke with Debbie Brown of decal connection to learn more about this important rod building product.
Can We Design Our Own Custom Fishing Rod Decals?
We asked Debbie Brown about the possible designs and colors and layout of decals that they can provide. She tells us, “ For the most part, all of the design options are custom to the rod builder. We do have a few standard images in reference to fishing on file, but we like to hear the ideas from the rod builders themselves in order to begin a design that is unique to their business.”
So it sounds like the rod builder’s imagination is the limit when it comes to designing a great new decal for fishing rods.
Brown continues,” Yes, we can design logos. It is very easy to add rod specifications to any logo or decal. As for designing a logo we do ask the customer to give us a rough sketch along with their thoughts when beginning a design. We will then start with a few ideas and email a mockup to the customer to receive their feedback and tweak the images based on the customer’s thoughts and ideas.”
What’s The Fishing Rod Decal Process?
We wondered what actually goes into designing a custom rod decal and logo, so we asked Debbie Brown to tell us about the step by step process of making custom fishing rod decals. She says, “Our website is www.decalconnection.com. We recommend that customers use the online order form, but we are happy to discuss questions or ideas by telephone. We do not guarantee phone orders simply because of spelling errors or missing information.”
“When we receive the email or online order, we look to see if it is just text, an image or both. If the customer requests certain sizing, colors, or quantity we will take the text/image into the design software and create the decal based on those specifications. If the size, colors, etc. are not known, or the customer is unsure, we will either email or call them to talk through the rod dimensions and possible thread colors or guides that the customer is using on the rod. The text or image size is based on the diameter of the blank where the decal will be placed. We recommend to keep the image/text within 1/3 of the circumference or within the diameter of the blank where the decal will be placed so that you can read or see the image without rolling the blank. Once we have the text/image setup and payment is received we will print the decal and ship it to the customer.”
Care Of A Custom Fishing Rod Decal
We all know that fishing rods go through a lot of abuse with fishing conditions being generally rough and hard on smooth surfaces. So we wondered how well these decals hold up to abuse.
Debbie Brown tells us, “The decal material is very durable and has a strong adhesive. Once it is placed on the rod and the epoxy is applied over the decal, you will only be able to read or see the text/image. The ink does not fade.”
And this brought up our next question, “How can anglers protect their custom decals? Brown says, “For storage, we encourage customers to store at standard room temperature away from humidity or fluctuating environments. We recommend applying a coat of epoxy over the decal once it is applied to the rod blank.”
Problems And Solutions
And to further develop the idea of care in construction when applying rod decals we asked Debbie Brown to outline some of the problems that anglers can have with applying custom decals and how these problems can be avoided.
Brown tells us, “Contamination is a significant issue because silicone can ruin the finish and adherence to the surface. It is crucial to avoid having any silicone-based products, such as WD-40 or silicone lubricants, anywhere in your shop. Additionally, silicone is often found in liquid soaps, detergents, and fabric softeners, so these should not be used when applying decals.”
“For cleaning, if you need to clean the surface of your blank before applying decals, you can gently wipe the rod with denatured alcohol. However, you should not wipe over the decal before applying epoxy, and you should avoid touching the decal with your hands before applying epoxy. If you feel it’s absolutely necessary to wipe over the decal, only use a new, unused, and unwashed microfiber cloth.”
“When it comes to epoxy, it’s important to note that not all epoxies are the same. If you are using low build, light, or new era epoxies, it is essential to break the surface tension before applying epoxy. You can do this by covering the decal with color preserver, clear acrylic spray (which can be found at a hobby shop), or clear fingernail polish.”
Fishing Rod Decals- The Finishing Touch To A Masterwork Rod
Anyone who builds and uses a fishing rod knows how much time and effort go into putting a fine rod together. And to be honest, most rod builders are just a little bit proud of their handiwork and they would like for the world to see and know that this rod is not available at any fishing tackle shop or big box store- it’s one of a kind.
The best way to make a rod unique, is to apply a decal which points out this rod is a special tool. A decal is a low-cost way to give a special tool a special identity.
