Common sense..
First of all I thank you all for excellent contribution to this thread (it means, I have learned a lot

). Secondy (and there after), there are few noticeable trends to follow when making descriptive sense of controls fitted to the front panel as this thread describes.
There is a "commercial" solution (let someone else do it) and the "one and only" (DIY). The concern is the price we need to pay to achieve the result we want.
In the commercial world, we should be looking for commercial solution, i.e. if the "production" goes into hundreds of pieces - look for a bussiness that specialises in just this area, they will always be cheaper.
For a "single" project, what we want is "the look of it" versus the "cost of it" solution.
[Side story here:] Some many years back I was contracted by a "Hi-Fi" shop to make a box that would allow to connect "x" number of stereo car radio units to "y" number of boosters/speakers solutions. I had used the "relays approach" to the circuit (simple), but then I did stumble against the problem of the front panel of that box. It had to be presentable to the shop owner and to his clients - after all, it was something his clients would see when he presents all possible configurations he could offer. It was the dot-matrix printer era and for a computer, I was using Commodore 128 (for bussiness) and Commodore C64 for gaming. For a solution to the front panel, I have chosen a photosensitive material I have been already using to make my PCBs. A coat of acrylic (or two) had sealed the work and some 15 years later, the panel looked as good as when I made it but the original labour was quite intensive. I did not make another panel since but I am loking to make a few now and this is why I find this thread very interesting.
Out of all solutions presented here so far, the
Make your own custom DRY TRANSFERS in less than 10 minutes with "DecalPRO" sems the most sensible, cost efficient, repeatable and good looking.
No, I do not have any endorsment from them, I am acually crossed off that they would only distribute within US and do not think to expand their sales to other countries like Oz (I do deserve some free samples for that

).
Until they do and following all lessons of this thread, I will laser print either individual labels or whole front panels on thin transparencies and fit them using spray-on adhesievs.
Another method I am inclined to use it a "label printer". I do use it at work to make descriptive names to identify cable numbers, reference designators or whatever is required. These are relatively cheap portable printers (toys like) with 2" x 3" (or so) LCD screen and a keyboard (all in one) and all you need to do is to turn it ON, type the text of a label and hit the print button. You can choose the font/size and a variety of tapes including the transparent with black or white font. These tapes also do come in a variety of widths (1" or less). The final steps of producing your label is to cut the end of the printed string, peel the backing and attach the label to your panel. A coat of acrylic or two may also be used to finish the job. Office Supplies shops stock both, these printers and tapes (Newark and RS Components probably too).
Another aspect not mentioned here to a great extend is the surface preparation of the front panel. Assuming it is made out of aluminum sheet, the initial treatment with 800 and 1000 grade of sand paper should be followed by a short "bath" in the solution of caustic soda (cheap) in a water (wear protective glasses in the process). The end product is a professionally looking matt finish followed with your labelling. There are also other cheap chemicals to change the tint of the aluminum to your content but it is not exactly the topic of this thread.
Regards,
xanadunow