Graphic Overlay

Clearly, every control panel overlay must be custom designed to allow an operator to accomplish a specific task. Leksan Panels A graphic overlay may be the first thing your customer or end user sees when interacting with your product. It must be durable, attractive, and functional. Thanks to our graphic overlay printing expertise, Stil Elektronik , can manufacture your custom graphic overlay in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to ensure durability. In fact, with sub-surface graphics, printing is done on the inside of the overlay, so your overlay’s graphics won’t degrade from use or cleaning. Graphic Overlay Materials: Polycarbonate vs. Polyester Stil Elektronik , offers a variety of overlay materials with thickness ranging from 7 mil to 30 mil. Selecting the graphic overlay material depends on the end user application and the environment in which it will be used, including exposure to sunlight and chemicals. Cost is also a consideration. Polycarbonate and polyester are the most commonly used materials for graphic overlays. • Polycarbonate overlays Also known as PETG or Lexan, polycarbonate overlays are easy to die cut, print, and texture. However, they may show signs of wear after 100,000 actuations. If the environment is subject to chemicals, a hard coat should be used for protection. Polycarbonate overlays are optically clear at any thickness and provide a crisper emboss. Polycarbonate is lower in cost than polyester. Most users prefer the look of polycarbonate overlays versus polyester. • Polyester (PET) graphic overlays This material is thinner and more resilient. It shows no sign of wear after 1,000,000 actuations. It also has superior resistance to chemicals and harsh environments. Polyester is more expensive than polycarbonate. (This material is perfect for industrial and military graphic overlays.) • Control panel overlays Graphic overlays are a vital part of any modern control component for human-machine interface. Also called “operator interface panels,” a wide variety of industries use control panel overlays. A few examples include: • Manufacturing and industrial machinery • Construction equipment • Service equipment such as elevator controls • HVAC and refrigeration equipment • Transportation and marine • Military Clearly, every control panel overlay must be custom designed to allow an operator to accomplish a specific task. This means attention to detail and intuitive graphics are critical factors to create a long-lasting graphic overlay that delivers a solid user-interface experience. At Design Mark, our core competence is designing, engineering, and manufacturing custom graphic overlays to meet the unique interface needs for your product – and for your users.