Hugh,
The print trade term for these decals used to be "facedown duplex" decals, for the way there were printed, and the material they were printed on.
I was told by someone who makes decals for a living that when he has old, fragile, original varnish transfers that he needs to copy, he doesn't apply them with varnish.
He adheres them to clear adhesive tape (packing tape), soaks the backing off, and then reproduces them. No problems with the old decals cracking, or whether or not the varnish is tacky enough or any of the other issues.
Jim Allen the CycleSmiths Ranchita, CA 92066
Hugh Thornton wrote:
> He was the source for the reproduction decals on my 1978 Coppi, which are just like the originals:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/
>
> My refinisher said that he had a bit of trouble with them wanting to lift when he peeled back the application film, but it can't have been too bad because they are all perfect and straight. They are clearcoated and do not have much of an edge. He also supplied the seat tube decal on my Wolsit, also shown on flickr. He did not have exactly the right decals for my 1961 Coppi (photos same place) but I can photograph and modify what he did have to get something very close to the originals, except the "Campionissimo" decal just below the gear levers is going to have to be made from scratch (Has anybody already got graphics for a similar decal?)
>
> http://www.flickr.com/
>
> He has a lot that is just not available anywhere else and is always very helpful.
>
> I also bought some old original varnish fix decals that I have not used yet (all my projects are backed up!). I am told that using old varnish fix decals can be very tricky and I should expect trouble. Is that correct? If it is, I was wondering about applying them to a flat sheet and then getting them copied and reproduced. Is that likely to work better and is there anything I should watch for when applying them?
>
> Hugh Thornton
> Cheshire, Englnd