Hydrographics or hydro-graphics (also known as camo dipping, immersion printing, water transfer printing, water transfer imaging, cubic printing, or hydro dipping) is a method of applying printed designs to three-dimensional objects. The hydrographic process can be used on metal, plastic, glass, hardwoods, and various other materials. In the process, the substrate to be printed is pretreated and a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film is gravure-printed with a graphic image to be transferred and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water. An activator chemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid and activate a bonding agent. The piece is then lowered into the vat, through the floating ink layer, which wraps around and adheres to it. After removing the piece from the water, a topcoat is applied to protect the design. With multiple dippings, hydrographic printing can achieve full 360-degree coverage of the part surface, including small crevices. - Wikipedia