These are the two choices of material we offer for standard printed decals. Each has its own features and benefits and we will attempt to highlight those on this page so you can assess the best choice for your particular situation. COST Water slide decals have a 15% cost premium over PSA vinyl and decals over 3.5 inches have a 20% premium. OVERALL DURABILITY AFTER APPLICATION For most modeling situations, durability is about the same. but water slide may have a slight advantage if a clear coat is applied to seal the edges.  Cal-Grafx decals, either water slide or vinyl can be clear-coated with all common finishes if very light mist coats are used initially. We always recommend testing a small sample before applying your final finish. EASE OF APPLICATION Most old-timers and scale purists will tell you they prefer water slide simply because it was the standard in model decals for so many years and it produces excellent results when properly applied. However in more recent times, those of us who always seem to be in a hurry (the ARF set) will probably prefer PSA Vinyl which requires only that you peel it from the backing sheet and rub it into place. The application of water slide decals is somewhat technique-oriented and requires more "baby sitting" during the application to work out wrinkles and bubbles. ACCURACY OF PLACEMENT One of the long time advantages of water slide decals is the ability to slide it into perfect position as long as moisture is present on the surface. The same is true of PSA vinyl if the wet method is used by spraying the surface with soapy water or a cleaning fluid such as Windex or similar. Use a squeegee such as a credit card or stiff piece of cardboard to work the bubbles and wrinkles out, working from center to the outer edges. SURFACE CONDITION Water slide does best on glossy, very smooth surfaces. If your surface is dull, foam or fabric texture, you will be better off with PSA Vinyl. The vinyl will also adhere very well to glossy surfaces. In any case, the surface must be clean, free of dust, dirt, oils and other residue before you attempt to apply the decal. OVERALL APPEARANCE Although some older scale modelers may lean towards water-slide decals, modern printing techniques on thin vinyl provides a totally acceptable appearance, good enough for major contests such as Top Gun and Scale Masters. The colors on printed vinyl tend to be bolder and brighter than water slide, however they can be dulled down for a more weathered look by using a fine abrasive such as steel wool or similar synthetic abrasive material.