History Action Transfers

typographic character sheets made letraset (left) , similar product made rival (right).

letraset, company developed instant lettering transfer sheets dominated design , publishing before advent of desktop publishing, created first dry rub-down transfer sets children , marketed them instant pictures in 1964. silk screen printed , monochromatic, 1966 being produced using 4 spot colours.

most of instant pictures after 1965 produced either john waddington ltd. or patterson blick.

letraset purchased rotary gravure press installed @ ashford in kent, , there produced true full-colour transfers first time starting in 1967. these not strictly cmyk colour transfers, because white ink required—since transfers printed on transparent plastic, , not on white paper.

in 1969 first action transfer sets produced in way, range of twelve sets—although range rapidly expanded. letraset stopped using title instant pictures , on referred own transfers action transfers , if not in range of sets given name.

in 1976, production of action transfers transferred letraset s italian factory, sodecor, offset litho printing used transfers first time. impetus move joint venture undertaken gillette produce action transfers under name kalkitos. these distributed around world, brand name differing; in us, known prestomagix.

after acquisition of letraset esselte in 1981, production of transfers continued british company named acorn printed products, formed several ex-letraset staff members. acorn still produce transfers day.