You know, when I spent time in the State Pen that is exactly the way we did it. Just pulling your leg, lol. I have something in mind that after the numbers and letters were stamped in the plate the whole plate was sprayed the background color and then went down a conveyor passing beneath an inked roller that applied the paint to the raised letters and numbers. My impression only and certainly a good topic of discussion by an expert if someone owns up to having the actual training and experience.
Don
