Where To Buy Old Tractor Decals
Karen Kackmeister at The Decal Store has too many tractor decals to count. The second-generation decal provider serves customers throughout North America, as well as Australia and Europe.
Kackmeister carries decals for all the major heritage brands from Allis Chalmers to Versatile. For Allis Chalmers alone there are 122 selections with 3 just for the WC model based, on production years of 1933 to 1938, 1939 to 1940, and 1941 to 1948.
"While most brands made a general decal for a model, some like the WC changed slightly over time," says Kackmeister. "In those cases, it helps if you know the year the tractor was manufactured when you order a decal."
She also carries decals for gas engines, lawn tractors, and steam engines. Her miscellaneous or other tractors section includes Twin City, The General, Huber and more. The gas engine list of 74 decals runs from Alamo and Arco to Waterloo Boy and Witte.
One decal list that continues to grow is lawn and garden. Kackmeister carries decals for 28 brands from Allis to Wheel Horse. The 446 decals include 96 for Cub Cadet alone.
A brand she no longer carries is John Deere. "They pulled the copyright from my supplier, so we can no longer sell them," she says.
Kackmeister took over the decal business in 2008 from her mother, who started selling them in 1992. Until 2012 she operated a storefront in Ainsworth, Neb. selling decals and tractor parts. When business slowed, she shifted to an online presence focused on decals.
"Most of my business comes from word of mouth or people searching for decals on the internet," says Kackmeister.
While Kackmeister doesn't claim to be an expert on all the brands she carries, she does express confidence in her International Harvester decals.
"My dad raised an IH gal, and I drove many of the early ones," she says. "I know them best."
Kackmeister sells labels in both Mylar and vinyl. While many labels are available in either style, those with long color lines or multiple pieces are generally found in vinyl cut only. The big difference between the two is how they are printed and applied.
Mylar decals are printed on a clear plastic film that is applied to the tractor, leaving clear plastic between letters and around edges. It is an economical way to restore a tractor or engine.
"Vinyl decals are printed on high performance material with individual letters cut out or die cut," says Kackmeister. "These are sandwiched between backing paper and application tape. When applied, there is no plastic film between the individual letters, leaving the best possible finish."
Prices vary considerably depending on size, number of labels in a set, and the ink used. The Case International Row Crop Special is only $10.99. However, the full set for the Case International 3294 in black, red and silver is $452.99. Some, like Case's Black Knight and Golden Demonstrator series, are made to order and available in brushed or shiny gold.
"Decals with chrome in them get more expensive," notes Kackmeister.
Whether chrome, brushed gold, or just black, what matters for most of her customers is returning their tractor or engine to its original look. Kackmeister often gets letters and pictures from customers of the new decals in place.
"It's nice that people are fixing up these old tractors. They often belonged to parents or grandparents," she says. "As one fellow said after applying the decals, 'My tractor feels so much better now’."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Karen Kackmeister, The Decal Store, P. O. Box 373, Ainsworth, Neb. 69210 (ph 800 286-2171; jonsal@threeriverwb.net; www.tractordecal.net).
Where To Buy Old Tractor Decals Karen Kackmeister at The Decal Store has too many tractor decals to count The second-generation decal provider serves customers throughout North America as well as Australia and Europe Kackmeister carries decals for all the major heritage brands from Allis Chalmers to Versatile For Allis Chalmers alone there are 122 selections with 3 just for the WC model based on production years of 1933 to 1938 1939 to 1940 and 1941 to 1948 While most brands made a general decal for a model some like the WC changed slightly over time says Kackmeister In those cases it helps if you know the year the tractor was manufactured when you order a decal She also carries decals for gas engines lawn tractors and steam engines Her miscellaneous or other tractors section includes Twin City The General Huber and more The gas engine list of 74 decals runs from Alamo and Arco to Waterloo Boy and Witte One decal list that continues to grow is lawn and garden Kackmeister carries decals for 28 brands from Allis to Wheel Horse The 446 decals include 96 for Cub Cadet alone A brand she no longer carries is John Deere They pulled the copyright from my supplier so we can no longer sell them she says Kackmeister took over the decal business in 2008 from her mother who started selling them in 1992 Until 2012 she operated a storefront in Ainsworth Neb selling decals and tractor parts When business slowed she shifted to an online presence focused on decals Most of my business comes from word of mouth or people searching for decals on the internet says Kackmeister While Kackmeister doesn t claim to be an expert on all the brands she carries she does express confidence in her International Harvester decals My dad raised an IH gal and I drove many of the early ones she says I know them best Kackmeister sells labels in both Mylar and vinyl While many labels are available in either style those with long color lines or multiple pieces are generally found in vinyl cut only The big difference between the two is how they are printed and applied Mylar decals are printed on a clear plastic film that is applied to the tractor leaving clear plastic between letters and around edges It is an economical way to restore a tractor or engine Vinyl decals are printed on high performance material with individual letters cut out or die cut says Kackmeister These are sandwiched between backing paper and application tape When applied there is no plastic film between the individual letters leaving the best possible finish Prices vary considerably depending on size number of labels in a set and the ink used The Case International Row Crop Special is only $10 99 However the full set for the Case International 3294 in black red and silver is $452 99 Some like Case s Black Knight and Golden Demonstrator series are made to order and available in brushed or shiny gold Decals with chrome in them get more expensive notes Kackmeister Whether chrome brushed gold or just black what matters for most of her customers is returning their tractor or engine to its original look Kackmeister often gets letters and pictures from customers of the new decals in place It s nice that people are fixing up these old tractors They often belonged to parents or grandparents she says As one fellow said after applying the decals My tractor feels so much better now’ Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Karen Kackmeister The Decal Store P O Box 373 Ainsworth Neb 69210 ph 800 286-2171; jonsal@threeriverwb net; www tractordecal net
