Hydrographics are cool, and it works for a lot of things, but not carbon fiber. It just looks really cheap to me. Other patterns, great! I've seen some really neat stuff done with it.
This isn't the stick on 3M stuff. This is legit carbon fiber fabric. Applied using the vacuum bag method, then 2 top coats of epoxy resin sanded smooth finished with UV clear coat polished to a 'glass smooth' finish. It is a little labor intensive for the whole process. But if you've seen exposed carbon fiber on a car or motorcycle, you know it looks really neat in person. Stick on stuff or hydrographics just can't match it.
I started down this road because I'm redoing some wood grain interior pieces in a car in carbon fiber.
Eventually I'll start making parts out of it, RC helicopter canopies is what I'll probably start with. But it wouldn't be too hard to make a mold to do the legs completely out of carbon fiber. The lockdown bar would be tough. Eventually I plan to start making body panels once I gather up the equipment and mature the skillset.
I thought it would be neat to try on a pin. I've seen some folks here do some wild customs, but I've never seen anyone work carbon fiber into a machine.