Have you ever seen or used a custom dry transfer decal? If you're a gallerist looking to upgrade your next show, consider using them for art gallery wall labels. If you could paint the captions directly onto the wall, they'd appear like rub-on transfers. It's an upgraded look compared to caption cards, no matter how nicely you print them. With everyone struggling for ways to improve the visitor experience (and people's perceptions of the caliber of the show), this is a detail to consider. It's an excellent way to communicate the needed information in the most unobtrusive manner possible.

Dry transfers, also known as rub-down decals, are unique because they arrive with adhesive already on and apply in a single step. It's an unrivaled convenience for a process that results in a great-looking final product. They aren't overly expensive, and you can gang up a group of captions on a single sheet. It requires only ordinary scissors to cut them apart before application. No laser-printed cards can rival the look of precise lettering applied to the wall. Gallerists prefer transfer decals because they produce exceptional quality in small sizes. The look is something you could never achieve with vinyl lettering.

Why do better-looking show captions matter for art galleries? Often, art buyers are opinionated and may pick up on even minor details. Any upgrade you can make to a show without a budget-straining cost increase may tip things in your favor to make a sale. There's also a trend for galleries to match museums with the caliber of their shows. Transfer decals for exhibit captions are widely used in museums, and switching to them will put your gallery on the same level. Temperamental artists also appreciate the discreet look of decals. They interrupt the visual experience even less than a printed caption card.

How do you get a transfer decal with a gallery wall label? It's as simple as designing them on your desktop computer and submitting them for production. Most vendors will have them ready to ship in as little as 24 to 48 hours, which helps if you work against a deadline. The surprising ease of application is another selling point. The decals arrive on a transparent transfer slick that you place in the desired spot and sub them on. The one-step process requiring no water or glue is foolproof. The stress is so much less than other methods; it's remarkable – and the final finished appearance is always perfect.