Icons and such on custom consoles?

This has always befuddled me, how console modders and such put intricate designs on their consoles. I've heard that most are vinyls and then primed. But i'm really not sure on how to go about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVSqLfIpK9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUix1nLVC8o
I know that the kirby 20th anniversary logo is from this picture : http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120422202946/kirby/en/images/6/68/Kirby20thAnniversary.png
How would it be applied?

 

Airbrush or print on vinyl. Usually airbrushed.

By the way, your post was caught by the auto-moderation system - probably due to the links in a first post. It'll sort itself out over time, but if you don't see your posts appear immediately, don't worry! A moderator will get round to approving them. You should get a message.

 

Cool , printing on vinyl, do you think they're water slip inkjet vinyl's?

 

and would I still need to use a fixative if im going to put a varnish over?