Abstract: A dry transfer system for transferring indicia to a receiving surface comprises a flexible but dimensionally stable carrier substrate with a film of cohesive, pliable and plastically deformable, indicium-forming material not more than 10 micrometers thick defining a preformed image and adhering to the front surface of the substrate. This surface is composed of a smooth material with adhesive properties such that without relying on adhesive the film can be released and transferred to a receiving surface in close contact, by a pressure transmitted through the substrate, but the film is retained on the carrier substrate in the absence of such pressure, in spite of close contact with the receiving surface.