Normally, for any letter smaller than what the average 20/20 vision can read means it should be difficult to print on any kind of medium (i.e. paper, metal, wood, plastic, etc.). But an expert in scale model manufacturing will find no problem doing so. The fact that you're reading this article I've written (assuming you're not in full zoom or magnification) is nothing compared to the very minute typograph found in this model car -- I would say that one of the tiniest type marked in this model should be around 1 to 2 points (unit of font size used on word processing computer programmes), perhaps even less. If you click on one of the two images of this awesome little blue car, you should be able to read the names "P. Solberg, P. Mills" underneath the side mirrors of the car.
There's currently two methods of applying race liveries to miniature model cars. One of them is water slide decal application, the other one -- which is by far more expensive in the process, but up a huge notch in terms of quality and craftsmanship, is called tampo printing.
The first one is simple, a digital image of the race livery is printed on very thin sheet of film. This film becomes soft and slippery upon water application. The film lets go from its paper base (much like you would with a sticker decal) and then the craftsman "slides" the decal into position. It is by far easier in terms of the use of lesser mechanical application, and an expert hand is all that's needed. The disadvantage of this is that, being a "decal" the race livery appears "thicker" than the base paint of the model itself simply because the decal is a different material applied on top of the base paint. Second, the decal withers overtime as it dries up and age can also take its toll causing the decal to crack, chip, or peel off.
The second one is far more complex. The digital image of the race livery is digitally and mechanically printed on a soft rubber ball called a "tampo", much like someone would print a pattern on a rubber stamp. Paint on the other hand is applied on a steel plate first where the tampo would press paint on the pattern. Once the tampo has received enough paint, the model car is placed into position and the tampo will press on the section of the model where the exact position of a particular detail is applied.
For the example above, the Subaru logos, the race numbers, names, sponsorship brands, etc. are separate tampo applications. Each tampo is patterned separately which makes manufacture of such a model car more expensive than those using slide decals. For the price of a model with tampo printed liveries you get the best of craftsmanship and quality. The tampo printed race livery is smoother, sharper, does not wither, peel, or crack overtime, and best of all, it does not exhibit "thickness" unlike slide decals that are printed on film, tampo printing uses paint which is applied directly on the model car.
The rear window buttresses exhibit a huge number of minute brand named sponsorship decals.
