You’ve measured the decal twice. Double-checked the reporting marks. Selected the right color – or at least you think you did. The decals arrive…and they’re wrong.
It happens more often than most people realize.
Listed below are the top 5 most common mistakes we’ve come across, and some ways to fix them before they even occur:
1. Wrong/Missing Data.
When we receive orders from customers, we review every order multiple times before the decals are ever even cut, and then multiple more times after that while quality checking and packaging.
Fortunately, our review process catches most misspellings, missing information, and other common errors before production begins. The hard part is that customers are busy with their own responsibilities and daily tasks and sometimes aren’t able to get back to us with an answer in time when we reach out for corrections or confirmation.
And we completely understand. Our customers have their own priorities, deadlines, and responsibilities to manage, so responding to clarification requests isn’t always immediate.
If we’re unable to reach you in time for clarification, we’ll use our 30+ years of industry experience to identify the most likely solution whenever possible. However, there’s no substitute for complete and accurate information from the start.
We know waiting on a decal kit can be frustrating, especially when your fleet depends on it. Missing or incorrect information can delay production, create unnecessary back-and-forth, and ultimately impact your schedule.
Takeaway: Providing complete and accurate information upfront is one of the simplest ways to keep your decal order moving and avoid unnecessary delays or revisions
How We Help: Before production begins, our team carefully reviews every order for missing information, inconsistencies, and potential issues. If something doesn’t look right, we’ll reach out to verify it so your decals are as accurate as possible.
Pro Tip: Before submitting your order, double-check reporting marks, car numbers, dimensions, wording, colors, and any reference photos. Spending an extra minute reviewing your information can save days of delays later.
2. Wrong Dimensions.
Most of us have bought clothes or shoes online or in person that didn’t quite fit—and know how frustrating that can be.
Well, it’s the same feeling with railcar decals – except there’s quite a bit more at risk.
Most decals going on a rail car are required to be a certain size based on the drawing and part number, and ALL rail cars must be able to pass inspection to be legally operating.
When the decal dimensions are specified incorrectly on the order, it creates a difficult situation for everyone involved.
Sometimes the drawing is correct, but the application requires an unusual placement. Other times, the dimensions listed on the order simply don’t match the current specification.
Or is the size given on the form just plain incorrect? If that’s the case, then receiving the decal in the wrong size could set you back again, just like having wrong or missing data on the form.
Takeaway: Double-checking measurements and confirming current drawings before submitting an order is the best way to prevent delays or rework. Also, keeping an updated part number and drawing list is extremely helpful when ordering specific decals.
How We Help: At Trans-Tech, we maintain an updated drawing book(s) full of each customer’s part numbers and decal sizing/spacing. When we have questions about a decal within an order, we always refer back to the book(s) before reaching out to the customer.
Pro Tip: Even small revisions to railcar drawings can impact decal sizing and placement. Always confirm you’re working from the most current version.
3. Incorrect Color.
At first glance, this might seem like a straightforward mistake – but in practice, color accuracy plays a much bigger role than most people realize.
As we all know, rail cars can be all shapes, sizes, and colors. This is why it’s critical to ensure new decals match the specific application they’re intended for. If not, incorrect color selection can lead to visibility issues, inconsistencies across a fleet, or, in some cases, inspection concerns depending on application requirements.
It all starts from the order form.
At Trans-Tech, accuracy starts with the order form. If the information provided is incorrect, it increases the chance of errors unless we’re able to catch and confirm it beforehand. We always do our best to verify details when something doesn’t look right, but timely communication is key.
Takeaway: Double-check the decal color listed on your order form—whether it’s a full kit or a partial replacement.
How We Help: We separate our orders based on color, and if we notice an order that appears inconsistent, we will bring it to the customer’s attention.
Pro Tip: When using a pre-filled order form, always confirm the decal color in case specifications have changed since the last order.
4. Ordering From Outdated/Faded Photos.
Photo references are one of the most useful tools for ensuring decal accuracy in size, color, and data.
The issue comes in when photos are poor quality, the data is unreadable, or the decal has been updated since it was originally applied to the railcar.
We always appreciate when photo references are included with an order. They help confirm that the decal matches the customer’s needs for both compliance and fleet consistency.
In some cases, the decals shown in older photos may no longer meet current AAR or FRA requirements due to updates in font, size, or color standards. In other cases, the decals may have been installed before those requirements changed.
All decals we produce are built to meet current AAR/FRA standards, including approved fonts, sizing, colors, and materials to help keep your fleet compliant.
Takeaway: Photo references are extremely helpful, but only when they are clear and up to date. Poor-quality or outdated images can lead to delays or incorrect assumptions during production.
How We Help: If a photo is unclear or outdated, we’ll reach out to request a clearer image or confirm the necessary details before production begins.
Pro Tip: Before sending photos, quickly check readability and detail. If anything is unclear, it’s often faster to type out the required information to keep production moving smoothly.
5. Last Minute/Rushed Orders with Incorrect Details.
Not every order issue comes from incorrect information—sometimes it comes from timing. When orders are placed at the last minute, there is often limited time to verify details, confirm drawings, or resolve questions before production begins.
Even small uncertainties can become larger issues when there’s no buffer in the schedule. What would normally be a quick clarification can turn into a delay simply due to timing constraints.
That being said, we understand that in the rail industry, deadlines don’t always move. Equipment goes down, schedules shift, and parts are needed quickly.
Takeaway: Whenever possible, allow enough lead time for order details to be reviewed and confirmed before production begins.
How We Help: This is where we excel. We are structured to handle urgent and time-sensitive decal orders and prioritize speed without sacrificing accuracy. When time is limited, our team moves quickly to verify details and keep production on track.
Pro Tip: If you’re working under a tight deadline, send your order as soon as possible—even if all details aren’t finalized. Early visibility gives us more time to help prevent issues before they impact delivery.
Final Thoughts
Most decal ordering issues come from missing details, outdated information, or tight timelines – not lack of effort.
Taking a few extra minutes to confirm dimensions, drawings, photos, and order details can prevent most delays before they happen.
At Trans-Tech, we focus on helping customers get it right the first time by carefully reviewing orders and catching issues early in the process.
We’ve also built tools to help reduce errors before production and make ordering more accurate and efficient.
The best decal order isn’t the fastest one – it’s the one that doesn’t need to be fixed later.
