Excellence in Art Gallery Labels | Dry Transfer Wall Lettering
When Annie Leibovitz unveils a new exhibition, it’s more than just a gallery show—it’s an event. Her latest project, “Stream of Consciousness,” at Hauser & Wirth in Chelsea, New York City, is no exception.
Known for her cinematic approach to portraiture, Leibovitz once again invites viewers into a layered visual narrative, this time exploring the fluidity of memory, time, and storytelling. The collection features a diverse array of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, including both familiar images of iconic figures and previously unseen works.
But beyond the striking photos themselves, the exhibition’s presence is amplified by the art gallery labels that guide visitors through the space. That’s where Image Transfers comes in.
Custom Dry Transfers of Distinction
Elevating the visitor experience with exhibit caption design is an art form, and Image Transfers is proud to be a leader in high-end custom dry transfers, in this case, helping bring Leibovitz’s vision to life.
From large-scale transfer lettering for wall text and interior signage to sleek art exhibit labels, we strive to ensure our work seamlessly integrates with the show’s aesthetic. It creates a gallery environment that enhances the storytelling rather than distracts from it.
Focusing on Design Always Matters
One of the standout elements of the wall labels for the Leibovitz exhibition at Hauser & Wirth is the interplay of text and imagery. We worked closely with the gallery’s curatorial teams to ensure that every graphic element complements the photographs—never overwhelming, always guiding.
- Gallery Wall Labels: These descriptions are transferred onto the gallery walls and appear as part of the architecture itself, allowing visitors to engage with the words without the intrusion of traditional signage.
- Entryway Wall Text: A striking entrance title achieved with dry transfer wall lettering introduces the exhibition with an understated yet powerful presence—an ideal demonstration of the crucial role signage plays in guiding and informing visitors.
At Image Transfers, we were honored to be selected for this project and position ourselves at the high end for art exhibit and museum labels. Our guiding principles were to create exhibit captions and signage that complement the photography’s aesthetic and enhance the visitor experience.
Dry Transfer Wall Labels: An Ideal Solution
Effective wall labels and interior signage for art exhibitions serve multiple purposes: they provide context and navigation aids and contribute to the exhibit’s coherence. Dry transfer lettering offers a hand-applied, paint-like aesthetic superior to stick-on vinyl lettering or printed labels.
Our rub-on transfer decals are increasingly used to label artwork, caption exhibits, and for introductory wall text. The dry transfer method allows the text to appear as though it was directly printed on the wall, giving it a seamless presence within the exhibition space.
We increasingly create gallery labels with interactive elements like QR codes linked to digital content. These labels take visitors to interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process. The integration creates a more immersive experience, inviting people to delve deeper into the exhibit’s themes.
A Permanent Appearance, Yet Removable
Dry transfer wall lettering requires only hand application in a single, quick, and easy step. With adhesive already applied, lettering is rubbed onto the wall in the desired spot from a clean transfer “slick.” It bonds to the wall instantly and leaves no edges, glare, or visible transfer media.
Transfer decals are durable and permanent yet removable without damaging the wall. Recognizing that interior signage may be temporary and easy removal is a consideration, dry transfers offer a perfect balance: they adhere firmly yet can be removed cleanly, making them ideal for temporary and permanent uses.
Elegant Art Gallery and Museum Labels
The choice to use custom dry transfers for gallery and museum wall labels extends beyond aesthetics—it is also about visitor engagement. At Image Transfers, we ensure that wall text, art exhibit labels, and graphic elements feel like a seamless extension of the exhibition rather than distracting add-ons.
Instead of bulky cards or plaques, the dry transfer decal lettering is directly on the wall, allowing viewers to absorb the information with less visual distraction.
We’re proud to be trusted collaborators with many institutions and galleries in the visual arts.
Current and past clients include: Hauser & Wirth, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum, The Shed, David Zwirner Gallery, Paula Cooper Gallery, Matthew Marks Gallery, and Miles McEnery Gallery.
Image Transfers are custom dry rub-on transfer specialists. We make only one thing: custom rub down transfers for graphic designers, artists, and model-makers. A dry transfer (or rubdown) is an image printed on a translucent sheet. The image has a coating of adhesive on its back. The image is transferred from the translucent sheet onto another surface by applying light pressure in a rubbing motion. The dry transfer can be applied to any surface that is free of dust, grease or oil. Dry transfers are referred to as DRY because they are applied dry, without the use of water or solvents. A dry transfer is not a slip-off label or a water decal, instead, the transferred image appears as if it was printed directly onto the item. Our dry transfers are opaque because we back the colors with white, so our rubdowns can be applied to a surface of any color without changing the color of the rub-on transfer. We consider dry transfers a semi-permanent application. A top coat of clear lacquer can make them more permanent. Our production artists can match all Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors including Metallic. Standard transfers are semi-gloss but we also offer matte and uncoated finishes. We deliver within as little as 24 hours. -- Specialties: Custom Rub Down Dry Transfers, Art Gallery Signage & Museum Labels, Custom Transfers for Product Prototypes, Comps & Mock-ups, Dry Transfers for Scale Models. Decals for Glass and reversed transfer decals for inside glass cases.
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