Decals or paint?

I'm trying to fix up my first generation Ex and once all the body work is done I have some ideas for some artwork I would like to put on the vehicle. I've heard of people getting their designs printed and laser cut on adhesive paper and layering the colors for parts of the designs, sort of like reverse silk screening--if that makes sense--but I'm having a hard time finding where I can have my designs printed and cut, ready for application.

Is anyone familiar with this sort of process or know a business or individual I can contact to have my already created vector images produced? Should I just have the images printed out as decals to place on after the fact? What is the "life" of a decal?

Thanks!