Today it snowed and I cracked open a few Transformers reissues that I've just had lying around. Soundwave (TRU) and Hot Rod (comm. series). I don't know why I've been putting if off, but man are they cool. So I got them out and realized they had label sheets. Then the dilemma hit: to apply or not? After some careful consideration, I decided to apply for fear of possibly losing the sheets somehow. Then I realized why a lot of the vintage toys I've bought have had the labels horribly applied... because it's tough. The small ones especially (like the counter on Soundwave). I was lucky to get them on straightly and in the right places. I had to use a lot of references from the net for the Soundwave mostly. I'm kinda glad that most of the stuff that comes out now is painted. Kinda better that way. What do you guys prefer? Stickers applied or factory labels?
Paint apps. I can't stand putting on stickers (if I ever resell my reissues that I did sticker up, I'm going to remove them beforehand and sell without the sticker sheet) I don't really like buying a toy and having to "finish" it myself...
Stickers. I love applying them. A little work with the tip of a scalpel blade (to help you apply them) and they're not too much hassle.
I like decent-sized stickers that are cut really well and can handle being pulled off after a half-application. Overall though I tend to like paint apps more in terms of the final look. Stickers that I enjoy are usually more fun for me to apply than for me to look at, hehe. Actually, should mention that this is in terms of products released -now-, not vintage ones. Vintage ones are really meant to be stickered, as affordable paint app technology just didn't exist for that kind of stuff back then.
At the end of the day, a good paint-tampo is SOOO much better than labels, especially if you're not so great at the application process. OTOH after-market labels like those from Reprolabels can be an amazing thing. Classics Roddy and ML Soundwave are AMAZING looking now. I'm a good painter, but I woulda never got them looking that good with my brushes, and in fact Hasbro's Tampo'ed flames on HotRod suck by comparison to the labels. Good and bad to both I suppose D/L
I like applying labels on my reissues. It's fun, it's within my skill level, and I use a tweezers to avoid getting my skin oils on the labels and help with precision. I don't apply all of the labels though. I always apply the faction symbols and other than that, it's a case-by-case basis. On Hot Rod, for example, I left off the thigh stickers, and on Soundwave I don't apply the red wrist decals. I just prefer the simpler look in those two cases.
Well I'd prefer paint apps over stickers any day of the week. But in G1's case, you have no choice. I don't mind. I've gotten pretty good at it, you just have to take your time.
Applying labels is a must for G1 toys as it really adds to the overall look. On the other hand, newer figures look too cluttered with stickers. We had an example of Classics Starscream a few months back.
Big, unusually shaped stickers are hard to align (I'm still moderately unhappy with the large sticker on the side of my Star Convoy); even small ones are easier. I kinda prefer stickers. Paint apps? Once they're scraped or rubbed off, they're gone. Stickers? Thanks to reprolabels, no need to worry about those.
A hobby knife is perfect for applying the small stickers and those that are in the hard to reach areas. I just stick a corner of the sticker to the knife and I can adjust it as much as I want before finally applying it to the toy. There's something satisfying about getting a sticker perfectly centered and aligned. I love applying them, it's actually somewhat relaxing and a good weekend job.
repro On Reprolabels I actually use the back of the sheet under one comer of the sticker, the sticker adheres to the back but comes right off this way as long as you have the sticker mostly on the backing you can easily situate it without committing on the first try.
I like them. The only ones that bother me are the ones that go on bumpy, irregular surfaces, like Primes autobot logos. I ended up sanding the bumps off of my Hasbro reissue for that very reason.
I think I like the foil backed stickers better. I had better luck getting those pulled back up and re-aligned. Those plain paperish ones try to tear. I think the stickers look good if I get them right, but if they are uneven or in the wrong place... I'll cry everytime I look at the figure and remember the shame.
I gota say I do like applying stickers to the re-issues of G1 figures, mainly for the flashback to childhood they give me of doing it to my originals. Sure, they tear and rip, but hey, it's fun while it lasts!!
I am not looking forward to applying the stickers on Sky Lynx when he arrives next week. I am actually dreading it.
