C3 Emission Labels

[Ray K.]

[David H.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

I have a “curiosity” question this morning, thinking the experts might know . . . . .

Does anybody know if any of our reproduction suppliers (Paragon, Corvette Central, Zip, Dr.Rebuid, etc) offer a “close to original” as possible emission label? Or, are all of our reproduction suppliers providing the same “not correct” label (possibly from the same printing source)?

Ray K
#43777

Ray

I've used ecs, link below, to reproduce my VIN Door Information labels. Labels were very exact. You might check with them.

Dave

https://ecsauto.com/

[Mike E.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

Ray,
I have seen at least 3 different reproduction iterations of the 71 LT-1 label by the left female hood latch. Also three different incorrect LS6 ones. None were correct. Incorrect font, wrong size characters, etc. That says to me there are multiple reproducers.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

Ray,
I have seen at least 3 different reproduction iterations of the 71 LT-1 label by the left female hood latch. Also three different incorrect LS6 ones. None were correct. Incorrect font, wrong size characters, etc. That says to me there are multiple reproducers.

Mike------

...and most reproductions I have seen are printed on PAPER. Originals were not on paper; they were printed on very thin, white plastic material with a matte finish and a very durable adhesive that did not fail after a few months.

By the way, in order to legally manufacture these with the GM part number I expect the only way to do it is under the GM Reproduction Parts Program. The cost of that is likely prohibitively expensive given what the product could sell for and the possible sales volume for any given part number. So, the market is filled by "under the radar" reproducers. I do not see any real way out of this.

[Ray K.]

[David H.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

Dave,
I took a quick look at the ECS Auto website and unfortunately, they don’t offer the emission label.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Ray K

Ray

I would contact them. Perhaps they can produce a special item for you, or suggest an alternate source.

Dave

[James G.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

ECS did the 72 Trans Am 455 decal and did it correctly(the print is white and background black are opposite of Chevrolet) for someone I know.
I have contacted them and even offered to help with the set up costs, however they are not interested in producing the 71 LT1 or the 73 L82 decal.

FWIW they are reverse printed black on the back of what I believe is clear acetate, the white, & then adhesive.
From the top down the layers are as follows.

Clear Acetate
Black reverse print
White coat
Adhesive.

* I am not 100% sure the film is acetate however the way the originals crease and fold they almost have to be.

[Ray K.]

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

James,’
I did give ECS a call and as you have indicated, they have no interest in reproducing any correct emission labels.
Ray

Ray------


Aside from the licensing issue it would seem like it would be so easy to reproduce these labels. All one would need is a good original label, the right adhesive plastic material, and an appropriate size die cutter.

[James G.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

Mike If not mistaken there was a single NOS 71 LS6 emissions decal on ebay maybe 3-6 months ago. I am sure I checked the fonts and type copy against a photo of an original.

_MG_2967.jpg
Here is the original on my 71 LT1 you can see the places where the white released from the back of the clear film, the black print also released off the film on a couple of letters. THE C in disconnected released with some white.
When I sold commercial printing we printed floor signs which were reverse print on the back of the clear and with a flood coat back ground, unfortunately we sent them out to have the adhesive applied so I do not know the type or how it was applied. (flood, curtain, anilox roll or metering rod)

Using UV cured inks would alleviate the issues one would typically encounter when applying an adhesive to a solvent based ink.


I've got a friend who makes some rad hose and re-ups his GM license yearly, he would be willing to sell the decals however I would have to submit samples and he would send them off to GM licensing for approval.

[Ray K.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

Ray------


Aside from the licensing issue it would seem like it would be so easy to reproduce these labels. All one would need is a good original label, the right adhesive plastic material, and an appropriate size die cutter.

And about 80 hours of time to lay it out and get it right.
Add the fact that a custom die cutter at a label house runs about $500...
And then there's testing the materials to get one that's correct. If these are printed from the back as mentioned above it's likely a 3 step process to print.

So, for a few thousand dollars you're there.

[James G.]

Re: C3 Emission Labels

I have had success in the past without going through the headaches of layout and finding crazy type fonts.
A nice original label on a dimension board photographed with a high quality SLR in a huge size 3000x5500 then go into illustrator first fix any distortion caused by the camera lens - then clean it up at the pixel level - make it into B&W no grey scale & create a vector file of the image and see what you have.

There are sheets of film available now which will print on an inkjet, if you print it in reverse on the backside you may be able to use a piece of white sticker stock and stick it to the printed side of the clear film sandwiching the print between the adhesive white sticker face and the clear film then GLUE the entire sandwich down to the firewall.

I have a emissions sticker from a Camaro or two and when you attempt to remove them part of the white will release from the front it's almost like when pulling piece of tape off gift wrap... sometimes the pattern comes with the tape sometimes it comes off clear.