Scapin decals

08.10.2009

So after much searching for new old stock decal replacements for the Scapin—including contacting Scapin directly with less than helpful results—I eventually gave up and realised the only way to do these decals made up was to get them done custom.

Although it was a 'restoration' job, apparently a lot of places don't like to touch these sorts of jobs because they represent some sort of copyright infringement, unless you're getting the frame reprayed as well. Bullshit. At any rate, I figured that'd be at the expensive end of options anyway.

I ended up finding a place just down the road that could do what I wanted. In the end I just went with a cut vinyl option which meant I went with a modified design for the steerer tube 'badge'.

This bike project just goes on and on.. it will finish soon. In truth it is basically completely finished.. When the weather is colder (snowier) and stable, I think I'll do a photo shoot in the snow and the process will be complete.

Decals/vinyls

The steerer tube badge decal design comparison

Because of the manufacturing process for these vinyl cuts compared to the original process which was an actual white screenprint on clear decal stock, the fine details from the original were just not possible.

The steerer tube decal in place

MK II badge

I had to pay homage to the original and the fact that I was slightly bastardising the original design.

The downtube decal

The seat tube decal

Also got a replacement Columbus decal

All of them together

Comments

Micke Keysendal

30.05.2010

A lovely bike!
I have an older one myself, and I just love riding it.
You can see it at http://keysendal.com/blog/?p=79

What I can see you are located in Norway?
I have the same problem as you, getting new decals for my bike?
Do you have an adress for the company that made your decals?

Best regards
Micke

paul-daniel

12.06.2010

Hey Micke - yep, in Norway. Actually the 'decals' are not decals at all. They are vinyl stickers of solid colour (white). The originals were a white spot print on clear stock. Because this is fairly difficult (or expensive) to achieve in small volumes, I decided to do machine cut vinyl transfers instead. It meant that the head tube decal needed to be simplified a bit (as you can see) as the detail was too difficult to get just by cutting out one sheet (and applying it would have been a nightmare too..) Because it was just normal vinyl (JAC paper), I just went to a sign maker just down the road from me, but almost any signmaker could do this.

Interestingly, after contacting Scapin and hearing nothing, I see now they have released a 'vintage' frameset using the exact same decals as what I was after.. See here: http://www.scapin.com/scheda.asp?idprod=28&tipo=road. It's a shame I didn't hear back from them about this at the time, but good to see this older logotype has re-surfaced. I much prefer it from there newer, generic, 'fast' typography of their current logo.. Those old speed lines kick arse..

Peter

12.11.2010

Hey,

Nice restoration job there! I also own a Scapin, don't know wha year or model though. The Scapin decals look the same as yours. The frame was originally white but I stripped it to reveal chrome. I have been looking to stick decals back on like you have there. Do you happen to still have the files for those decals you can send my way? It would be greatly appreciated.

paul-daniel

16.05.2011

Hi Peter,

As far as my research tells me, there have been around 2-3 editions of Scapin frames using those same white logo decals (Scapin text and head tube badge). But the actual frame design and some other small details have been different (such as the pantograph work in the fork crown) My original frame decals also had gold and silver pinstripe details around the downtube logo also. I dropped these details after the respray, mainly because it would have been difficult for me to achieve with the resources I had.

Regarding the decals - these were all hand drawn in Illustrator from multiple photos/measurements from the old decals. Of course, I still have the artwork for this, it's no problem to send. If you contact me through the contact form on the site, I will send them over.

Eric

14.04.2011

Hi Paul. I too have been looking for these Scapin decals. Do you have any materials that would help me after I locate a shop that can produce these decals such as a mask or something? Thanks!

paul-daniel

16.05.2011

Hi Eric, I got these produced by a signwriter. Technically they aren't really decals, but just solid colour (white) vinyl transfers. The original decals were clear with a white spot print. So the final artwork I got made up was infact slightly modified for the vinyl cut process (no fine details).

I am happy to pass on the decals to you if you like. You would need to contact me via the contact form.

Anonymous

24.07.2011

Paul,
I tried to contact you via your contact form, but it doesn't work. I'm very interested in getting these decals from you...Not sure if I mentioned earlier that I need them in black for an 85 Scapin white frame. Please contact me at my email address or I'll check back here later. Thanks again for your help so far!
Regards,
Eric