Membrane overlays are an integral part of the membrane switch. They are basically the faceplate to the membrane switch.  They define the product identity. With these layouts, user determines how difficult or easy it is to use the product.

Since these overlays hold great importance, therefore, you need to pay special heed to it. You need to understand its basics. Therefore, in the course of this article, we will talk about it in detail.

What is Membrane Overlay?

For starters, you need to understand what this overlay is? These overlays are separate plastic layers. Usually, the manufacturers use polyester for these layers. At some point, you will have to apply these overlays to membrane switches.

Sometimes people do confuse them with their cousins, graphic overlays or panel overlays. However, it is important to understand that membrane-overlays are different. The reason they differ is because of the mechanical nature of the membrane switch.

You need to design the membrane-overlay according to the design of the membrane switch. You can customize membrane-overlays as per your requirements. For instance, for tactile feedback, you can emboss them.

Likewise, you can leave room for components on the membrane switch. In case, you involve the backlighting, you need to use different lighting blocking layers. Some of these layers include fiber optics, LEDs, Electroluminescent.

In order to control the direction of the light, you can print the layer behind the overlay. When you do this, it is bound to increase the opacity. To ensure the quality of the membrane switch, you need to focus on the material of overlays.