decalgirl or gelaskin

[Sarastew]

For the first time, I am thinking of getting a skin.  (I have pre-ordered my Touch and am anxiously awaiting it.) My K2 was used mainly in a cover until this past year when I have found myself going 'coverless' more and more.  So, I was thinking with my Touch that I would try a skin. I love designs from both decalgirl and gelaskin.  The number of choices are somewhat overwhelming!

So - here are my questions - especially relevant for those that have used both....
-What is the ease of application?
-What is the lifespan?
-What are any pros/cons that I should consider when choosing one brand over the other?

I thank you in advance for your shared knowledge. Once I choose a company, I can only hope to choose a design before  the Nov 30 - Dec 5 estimated delivery!!

[KimberlyinMN]

In addition to the Decal Girl skins, I like the Invisible Defenders skins too. http://decalrus.com/   The best part is that they come on clear transfer sheets so that you can line up the decal better. Then you press down to transfer the skin from the sheet to the Kindle. (They have matte or glossy versions plus they can personalize the skin.)

The Decal Girl skins are very nice!  The only downside is not having that transfer sheet. You peel the vinyl skin off the nonstick backing and then have to put this on your Kindle.  It's not HARD, but it just isn't as easy as the ID skins.  The good news is that as long as you don't press down too hard, you can always take it off and try again.

I've never tried the Gelaskins.

[Sarastew]

Oh no - more great choices!  Just kidding - thanks for the link.  The transfer sheet sounds like something that I would want.

You said if I messed up and didn't press too hard I could try again. What does pressing too hard do to the skin?

Thanks

[KimberlyinMN]

Pressing just adheres it to the Kindle. Don't press on it until you have it where you want it.

[Neo]

Having had all 3 brands of skin, I've actually found that I liked Declagirl and Gelaskins best. they are also easily re-positionable, and the transfer sheet wasn't as practical as I thought it would be. Not sure this is a rule though, just how it worked out for me  .

I prefer Decalgirl for the matte finish option, which I find very comfortable to the touch. Their skins are also more "stretchable" and so sometimes it can help when applying.

However, I prefer the designs from Gelaskins, and have had a Gelaskins on my Kindle for a while now. I'm very excited that they will soon be offering a matte finish too 

Quality-wise, Gelaskins and Decalgirl are equivalent, in my opinion, with both being really excellent. So in the end, what made the difference for me, was the designs that were offered, and Gelaskins is more up my alley that way  .

I don't think that you can go wrong either way, so just pick the one you like best! Good luck, and let us know which one you choose!

[maries]

I like DecalGirl matte skins the best and found them easy to install.

I tried Gelaskins and liked the quality and the designs but not the gloss.  I will definitely check them out again if they offer a matte finish.

I contacted Invisible Defenders and the incoherency of their response turned me off to the company but they (unfortunately) had many designs I liked.  I read of at least one person having an issue when ordering through the company but you can get them through Amazon.

[PG4003 (Patricia)]

I always use Decal Girl.  I much prefer the matte finish, and I like their template which I can use to design my own.  Also, Decal Girl customer service is superb, as good as Amazon's IMO.

[Neo]

I always use Decal Girl.  I much prefer the matte finish, and I like their template which I can use to design my own.  Also, Decal Girl customer service is superb, as good as Amazon's IMO.

I agree that their CS is great - but to be fair, so is Gelaskins'. And their template for custom skins is actually more user friendly than DG's. But the matte finish, is definitely something that I prefer at DG's 

[KindleChickie]

I am a strong advocate for Gelaskins.  They have a weave to their skins that help them to keep their shape and not stretch out.  Also, they are much easier to remove after they have been on a while.  Never had to use a hairdryer to remove and keep shape.

I have used decalgirl skins when Gelaskins where not available (like 1st gen Apple TV).  They are nice and ship quicker because they are located in the US (vs Canada for gelaskins).  But in the past their customer services has not been as good for me.  I asked about recropping a certain skin.  On other devices it was cropped better.  They gave me a canned answer that said the copywrite wouldnt allow it.  I answered back that they had already recropped it on the other devices and they again said they couldnt.  With Gelaskins I wouldnt even have had to ask.  I could have simply logged on and used their skin generator to crop it till my hearts desire.

[Sarastew]

Thank you all for the great data! 

Another add-on if you don't mind.  Matte vs glossy. Most of you prefer the matte.  I am curious as to why.  Does the glossy make it slicker to hold?

[puglover333]

Thank you all for the great data! 

Another add-on if you don't mind.  Matte vs glossy. Most of you prefer the matte.  I am curious as to why.  Does the glossy make it slicker to hold?

I wouldn't say the glossy is harder to hold.  It doesn't reflect the light nearly as much.  Since you'll be reading, you'll  have a light on somewhere.  I found it distracting to have the glare off the glossy finish.  Also, the glossy shows fingerprints.

[N. Gemini Sasson]

Thank you all for the great data! 

Another add-on if you don't mind.  Matte vs glossy. Most of you prefer the matte.  I am curious as to why.  Does the glossy make it slicker to hold?

My first skin was matte and I didn't care for it as much. I think it's because the colors seemed duller. On the glossy they're really vivid. And no, I don't think they feel slick to hold. I would imagine fingerprint would tend to show up more with dark colors? It hasn't been a problem that I've noticed with my DecalGirls skins, although maybe if I really looked, I could see them.

[PG4003 (Patricia)]

I love the matte finish and would never have a glossy one, I think the shine is distracting.

[Betsy the Quilter]

I've had a "shiny" DecalGirl skin on my K1 since October 2008.  Love it.  Have never bought a matte finish one.  I think I must be part magpie, love shiny things!  Oh, look, a penny!  *runs off*

Betsy

[Neo]

While I do have a preference for the matte, I decided to go for the glossy Gelaskins, because I really wanted that particular design, and I was surprised that the glossiness didn't bother me at all! Still whenever Gelaskins starts offering matte, I will go for it

[SamIam]

Ive been very happy with all the skinds ive gotten from decalgirl

[Snapping Turtle]

I've owned several kinds, and they all have their ups and downs.  Gelaskins has more designs I like, plus they seem to go on a bit easier due to the 3M texturing - never had a bubble problem!  DecalGirl has some beautiful designs, and the matte finish is a nice touch.  InvisibleDefender I tried once, probably will not do that again due to the propensity of their skin to tear at the edges. 

[hudsonam]

I like both DG and Gelaskins, and I don’t find the Gelaskins to be that glossy. They have sort of a cross-hatch texture to them that makes them not too slick or shiny, in my opinion. If you find a design you like on either site, you can’t go wrong. I have the Van Gogh Almond Branches in Bloom from Gelaskins on my Kindle 3/Keyboard, and I love it. I had a matte custom Decalgirl for a while on my old K2 and loved that as well. Have fun choosing!

[Sarastew]

Thanks everyone. I'm no closer to deciding than I was before, but at least I feel confident with either company.  Who knows if I'll ever get one - there are just TOO many beautiful options!!!  Those of you that have skins, I am in awe of your ability to choose.

[N. Gemini Sasson]

Who knows if I'll ever get one - there are just TOO many beautiful options!!!  Those of you that have skins, I am in awe of your ability to choose.

Some of us have more than we need.  They're like portable artwork.

[Sheldon]

I have a matte finish from decal girl and I am very happy. It was simple to put on my Kindle and and I love the way it looks. I did not consider gelaskins because I prefer matte to shiny but if they are going to be offering matte I would look at their designs too. (I have the library skin and I just love the way the "lit candles" look among the books.)

[Sheldon]

ok so I just peeked at gelaskins, I like the skin called underworld but for a book theme I still prefer decal girl  library (my daughter said she likes the gelaskin book theme ,it is very colorful.)

[Sarastew]

Since I couldn't make up my mind regarding design, I decided that I would do the design my own from gelaskins. However, they have nothing on their site about the touch yet, so I wrote their customer service.....This is the reply I received (The bold was added by me):

Hi Sara!
We will definitely be skinning the new Kindle Touch! The skins will be up on our site a few days after the Kindles release date.
Barbara Barlow | GelaSkins Inc.

I am so disappointed!!

[oliewankanobe]

I do all my skins (phones, computers, etc) via ebay.

Have always been really pleased and the price ranges are amazing.

[mistyd107]

I FINALLY gave in and ordered Bottom of the sixth from Gelaskins for my Kindle Keyboard so excited to see it