The standards for art gallery shows increase every year. With them, the bar is raised for gallery labels. How they are made, their appearance, and the amount of information to include are all scrutinized. The classic labels, also known as captions cards, were printed and had the artwork's title, artist's name, and the year the piece was produced. Many gallerists stick with the classic format, but some may choose to add a brief sentence. While much can be said for letting an artwork stand on its own, there also may be value in a thought about the message or inspiration. It should be unobtrusive and minimal.

How to produce gallery labels is also evolving. For example, some are ditching printed cards in favor of transfer decals. They go directly onto the wall (or pedestal or glass exhibit case) and eliminate the card. It's an easy way to produce a more polished look that's easy to read and elegant. There's no damage to the application surface when you gently scrape off the decal. The cost is reasonable when you gang up multiple captions on a single sheet. You can design the labels and submit your digital files for output.

It's a surprisingly direct method; turnarounds are commonly as few as 24 to 48 hours, which helps.

The artwork captions can reflect the exact text for gallerists who produce catalogs for their shows. Making the decals from the re-formatted catalog content may save time. When you can plan and combine tasks, it reduces preparation time and conserves limited resources. It's the same when the decals arrive; you or anyone can apply them quickly. There's no learning curve, and it makes sense easily. If you're coming down to the wire in a show opening, anything dependable and foolproof is an asset. You'll always appreciate the ease and the great look.

Custom dry transfers are ideal for indoor signs in small and medium sizes. They go directly onto walls and have significant advantages over stick-on vinyl lettering or painted signs. Consider them if you want to add branded elements to your show or add wall text at the entrance of your show. Anything well-designed and dynamic that's easy to read will be an asset. You'll see the same techniques used for important museum exhibitions; there's every reason to try them for your show. When you provide information and engage visitors, the art becomes more memorable, and your sales will increase.