8/02/2016

Integrity Toys' Response to Questions Regarding the Use of Decals

W Club members received a carefully worded statement about the use of decals in an email yesterday. It is more notable for the information that has been left out than for what has been included. 
All I had to do was Google "water slide decal" and the information was right there. The following is from Wikipedia:
 Water slide decals (or slip decals) are water-mounted decals generally printed face up and rely on the dextrose corn sugar residue from the decal paper to bond the decal transfer to a surface. A water-based adhesive layer can be added to the decal to create a stronger bond or may be placed between layers of lacquer to create a durable decal transfer. The paper also has a layer of glucose film added prior to the dextrose layer which give it the adhesion properties, the Dextrose layer give the decal (lubricity) the ability to slide off the paper and onto the substrate.



Water slide decals are thinner than many other decorative techniques (such as vinyl stickers) and as they are printed, they can be produced to a very high level of detail. As such, they are popular in craft areas such as scale modeling, as well as for labeling DIY electronics devices, such as guitar pedals.
Until recently, water slide decals were professionally printed and only available in supplied designs, but with the advent of printable decal paper for colour inkjet and laser printers, custom decals can now be produced by the hobbyist or small business.

 Source: Wikipedia Water slide Decal.

There are plenty of instructional videos on Youtube for making and applying your own.
 
I also found out that I can print my own water slide decals on paper readily available for home printers. So all this language  "the test was sent to a new partner we have overseas who recreated the shapes for us in vector format and from that, tiny waterslide decals are generated. " just means it's made in China.

Here is the text from the IT email. 
Many of our astute fans have commented online that there was something different about the eyes of two of IT's recent dolls; Anika Luxottica and the W Club Upgrade Vanessa Perrin.  We can confirm that those observations are correct; we are using a new technique to improve eye consistency.
Based on the ongoing feedback that the team has received expressing concerns about sometimes subtle or pronounced balance issues with the screening on various dolls, IT is currently testing a new water slide application method for their doll eyes that will eventually eradicate this issue completely.
This relatively new method has been around for a little while now and is being used by more and more companies in the industry. The W Club Liaisons sat down with Alain Tremblay to ask about this new, promising method to address some of the concerns that we read online... read on!
W Club Liaisons: Alain, thank you for taking the time to get back to us. The Anika Luxottica doll that was unveiled at IFDC is a huge hit with fans and everyone was impressed with her, especially her edgy facial screening. Can you please elaborate a little more about the technique that was used to create this screening?
Alain T.: Thank you, I'm glad everyone loved this girl; I had a blast designing her! The new technique is actually really interesting! We decided to test it out on her first and then, Vanessa since Anika's eyes are so detailed and different than the other dolls that we've done in the last few years. To achieve this new look, Jessy Ayala and I collaborated to create her initial makeup look, then the test was sent to a new partner we have overseas who recreated the shapes for us in vector format and from that, tiny waterslide decals are generated.
WCL: Is the entire makeup on Anika and Vanessa applied using this technique?
AT: The technique we are developing could basically be called a "hybrid application method" if you'd like. Only the eyes (outline, white, iris, pupils and "catch light" dots") themselves are applied this way, since those are the most complicated/multi layered segments that are on any doll's face. The rest, i.e., the lips, eyebrows and eye-shadow layers are sprayed using the traditional mask and airbrush technique first, before the eyes and eyelashes are applied on top. This way, the eyes will be balanced, since generating these shapes in vector art is more precise than spraying the entire screening in multiple-layers the traditional way.
WCL: Is this new method durable? Will the eyes come off easily? Many are concerned about this.
AT: Once applied, the water slides are sealed with a topcoat, so yes, it is perfectly secured and should not be any different from the traditional mask layer doll eyes. Of course, it goes without saying that using alcohol, acetone or heavy scrubbing will damage the paint on any doll. Common sense applies.
...

WCL: What other IT dolls sport this new method?
AT: At the moment, only Anika Luxottica and the Upgrade Vanessa have it, but a few of the upcoming dolls in the 2016 FR Collection will also be created using this new, cutting-edge method.
WCL: Alain, thank you for taking the time to explain this to us and we look forward to what new exciting things the team will be able to create using this method!

Let's be clear, waterslide decals have been around for a very, very long time. It is not a "relatively new method." Decals are used in many other industries and are extremely durable.  I'm fairly certain that the tattoos used on a series of Sybarite Dolls are waterslide decals. (Gothica (not shown), Neurotica and Toxica.)


Tonner's Zombie Boy  - this had to be mostly applied decals. In this Tonner photo below, left, one can see the edge of the applied decal on the forehead.



Water slide decals are different from ordinary decals and stickers:
Different variations of decals include: water-slide or water-dip; and vinyl peel-and-stick. A water-slide (or water-dip) decal is screen-printed on a layer of water-soluble adhesive on a water-resistant paper, that must first be dipped in water prior to its application.
Upon contact with water, the glue is loosened and the decal can be removed from its backing; overlong exposure, however, dissolves the glue completely causing the decal to fail to adhere. A peel-and-stick decal is actually not a decal as described above, but a vinyl sticker with adhesive backing, that can be transferred by peeling off its base. The sign industry calls these peel-and-stick vinyl stickers vinyl-cut-decals.
Source: Wikipedia "Decal"


Source: eBay Auction
  ______________________________

IMO (as always) the bottom line is that decals, used appropriately and according to need on dolls, can result in excellent effects.  If used just to make it easier for a factory to get things right...well, that's another story.
Those of us who were Fashion Royalty collectors from the beginning know the difference. 
Here are a few early Adeles and Veroniques. No decals, no lashes, just nicely painted faces. Everything changes. Most of us hope that things will get better along the way. This is an expensive hobby. It's a luxury and the dolls must match up to the high standards collectors are paying for.

Click to enlarge.












8/01/2016

Review: Dasha as Anika Luxoticca

In spite of all the hoopla over the use of decal eyes instead of paint, I like this doll.  As I said previously, I never would have known about the decals if another collector hadn't told me. It's not a pleasing thought but if they continue using the decals, I certainly would expect to know in advance so I can make an informed decision about whether to buy or not.

My doll has a few issues. The arrow is pointing to a line on her hair that was created during the styling in the factory. I'm definitely not asking for a replacement because from what I've seen, I might get something worse. In her hair is a very nice silver clasp. I love the profile look.


I could not remove one of her legs but I'm sure that if I warm it up, it will come off. In the photo below, she is wearing her cyborg limbs. They are very cool. I would have liked Cyborg hands as well.
Anika's hair bump is uneven. That bothers me more than anything. I hate hair bumps.


Her dress is very slim-fitting and the fabric is strangely stiff. Enclosed with the doll was a packet of extra silver embellishments.


Her jewelry is silver-toned with stones that resemble opals. She came with earrings, a bracelet and a ring.  Her heels have a techno pattern which fits right in with the theme.




7/29/2016

Decals For Eyes - The Big Fix?

Here's some news from Integrity Toys:
A person at the top responded to the query about the decal eyes from a collector. He said that the "new technique will ensure that the eye alignment is always correct."
Someone said, "What if the decals are misaligned?"  Hmmmm.

Yes, boys and girls, that was the answer.

Going forward, what do you think?
Will you spend more than $100 for a doll whose eyes are decals even if they are sealed?

I understand that velcro is in use as well.

I don't think I would have known that Dasha's eyes were decals unless I read about it.

It sounds like a decision that was made to cut production costs. I can understand that. They are in business to make money after all.

Did you know that you can buy a sheet of doll eye decals (there are hundreds of styles and sizes to choose from) for about $5.?



DALSTON GenX.2 Sybarite Doll

Here is the newest addition to the GenX lineup from Superdoll.

This is directly from the website offering:


DALSTON DD_108

'I think I'll wear 'lipstick'.
Taking in the neighbourhood sights while strutting her stuff in Trendiest East London.

Venus knows her way around this part of town... it's home!

NEW! GENX.2 body!
NEW! Cosmetique skintone!

Her ash blonde blend double knot wig is a wonderfully styled for that summers day freshness while serving 'edge'! Eyes of sky and bluebelle surrounded by shadow of sunny yellow, sky blue and grey. Icy white liner on her lids. Brows of charcoal accentuated with fine strokes of taupe. Lips the colour of red summer roses.
Her sunshine yellow satin bra top and matching panties are, firstly to show off her waist and secondly no need to worry about just how short her skirt is! To keep her floaty, she wears lipstick print, on electric blue damask mini baloon skirt with waist pleats and concealed waistband, , just short enough to show off her long legs but classy enough to keep her cool!.
Pale sky blue hose, a pair of gorgeous metalic foiled silver lazer cut sandals with gilt platform soles , bearing red rose detail. This worn along with a cute red metalic neverfull bag, dripping in silver accessories emblazoned with gorgeous 'diamante' and metal contelation, and of course a red cutout matching buckle up waist cincher are her accessories of choice.
Just when you thought that was enough she picked up her chain and green bead with metal slats necklace and popped on her divine metal bathchain trimmed, bright red hair sticks; placed in her hair, 'just so'..
Good to go, she then added multiple hippy bracelets... just because she should!

The sun is shining outside Darlings!
Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce

Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand

In stock and ready to be delivered
Price: £252.00 (Excluding VAT at 20%)




What convinced me is her fashion: the belt on bare skin, the great neckpiece, the cute hair sticks!  I love it!  I like her wig, too. She looks like a keeper.


252.00 GBP  =  $332.94 

7/26/2016

Decal Eyes or Halftone Printing? What is going on with FR dolls?

One of the topics of concern on with W Club members is the appearance of the eyes on Anika Luxottica and on one of the upgrade dolls, Vanessa Take Me On.

See JennFL2's close-up photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfl/28314491605/in/photostream/

This collector actually found an 'extra' decal stuck in Anika's hair!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbie_my_scene_fashion_royalty/28441023882/in/photostream/

Integrity has been sent inquiries and their response is????


7/23/2016

Breathe New Life into Your Dolls with New Bodies!

When Integrity Toys recently offered AA FR3 bodies for sale, I purchased two although I didn't have an AA doll who needed a new body. Since then I've been hunting. Yesterday I received one of Jason Wu's first Adeles. She is Perfect Skin Adele from the 2004 Fashion Royalty line.
She came in a gift set with 5 (!) pieces of beautiful luggage, dressed in a faux leather outfit.
I had her back then, sold her and now I have her again with the latest body. It's just like having a brand new doll!
She is modeling Veronique's "Full Spectrum" dress, a La Boutique bag and jewelry by Joy Jarred.




The original body had arms that did not bend, a large bust, tiny waist, little feet and lots of problems with longevity. Silkstone clothes are perfect for the old body, BTW. And if you have fashions from the early FR days, you can conversely use them for your Silkstone dolls. Very useful.

Below image of the original gift set was found on a database with no attribution. Thank you to whomever took the photo.