Tubing manufacturers were concerned about misrepresentation of their products; a fragile decal prevents a fraudster from lifting to decal from a legitimate frame to pass off a different frame as using the prestigious tubing. Until the early 80s, Reynolds tubing decals were multi-layer, with each layer a different color, die cut to show the other colors beneath. You only get one chance to apply that type of decal. Early Columbus decals were printed on foil that easily tears.