Panel mounting an LCD screen in a hobby project
A technique that I have used in commercial designs is to adhere an acrylic or polycarbonate thin film to the front of the panel, covering the entire panel. All graphics are printed on the back side of the film which is then covered with water-clear double sided 3M adhesive and attached to the panel. The adhesive can be die cut to leave larger windows for displays.

This yields a professional looking, waterproof panel and the color graphics are completely scratch proof.