ISO 9001:2015 certified facility Free 24h design review Prototypes in 10–15 days Own factory in Shenzhen, China

Graphic Overlays

Custom graphic overlays, printed to survive the real world

Polyester and polycarbonate overlays with UV-resistant printing, hard coat, selective textures, embossing and windows. Whether you need a protective front panel or a decorative skin for existing switchgear, we print, die-cut and ship production-ready overlays.

  • Polyester, polycarbonate and hybrid film options
  • Screen and UV printing with color-matching to your brand
  • Hard coat, matte/gloss textures and embossed tactile keys
  • Clear, tinted or printed windows for displays and LEDs

What is a graphic overlay?

A graphic overlay is the printed top film that carries your branding, legends and user instructions, and protects the controls underneath. It is the part users touch every day — so durability and finish matter as much as print quality.

Material choice

  • Polyester (PET) — most common; excellent chemical resistance, tight dimensional stability, ideal for backlit overlays
  • Polycarbonate (PC) — tougher and more impact-resistant; great for unbacked panels that get handled
  • Hybrid — polyester overlay with polycarbonate reinforcement where flexing concentrates

Why overlay quality matters

  • First impression of your product — colors, finish and feel sell
  • Abrasion- and chemical-resistant printing stays legible for years
  • Precise die-cutting keeps windows, buttons and cutouts aligned
  • Right adhesive + right texture = clean assembly on your enclosure

Finishes & customization

Every overlay can combine several finishes. Send your artwork and we'll advise the best stack for your environment.

Printing

Screen printing for precise Pantone colors; UV printing for photographic detail; digital for fast-turn prototypes.

Texture & finish

Matte, gloss, satin, anti-glare, anti-fingerprint and selective gloss for a premium two-tone look.

Windows

Clear or tinted display windows with printed borders, scratch-resistant coating and anti-reflective options.

Embossing

Raised tactile keys and borders for blind operation, plus tactile dimples for finger positioning.

Hard coat

UV-cured hard coat for ≥ 2H pencil hardness and strong abrasion and chemical resistance.

Adhesive

Aggressive 3M-class adhesives for textured, powder-coated or curved surfaces, with liner options.

Die cutting

Tight-tolerance kiss-cut and through-cut shapes, including complex cutouts and registration holes.

Backlighting

Translucent print layers and light windows that let LED backlighting glow through legends evenly.

Specifications

Standard capability range. We'll confirm exact values against your design file during DFM review.

ParameterTypical Value
Base filmPolyester (PET) or polycarbonate (PC)
ThicknessPET 0.125–0.25 mm; PC 0.25–0.75 mm
PrintingScreen, UV, digital
Color matchingPantone / custom, ΔE ≤ 1.5 on approved sample
Pencil hardness≥ 2H with hard coat (up to 3H)
AdhesionCross-hatch tape test: 4B–5B (ASTM D3359)
Operating temperature−40 °C to +85 °C (PC up to +120 °C)
Chemical resistanceAlcohol, mild acids, detergents, IPA (varies by ink/film)
Cut tolerance±0.15 mm typical, ±0.10 mm on critical features
ComplianceRoHS, REACH, UL 94V-0

Applications

Overlays protect and brand front panels everywhere from clean rooms to commercial kitchens.

Medical front panels

Disinfectant-safe overlays for patient monitors and analyzers

Appliance panels

Washing machines, ovens, coffee machines and air conditioners

Industrial equipment

Machine nameplates, control labels and front panels

Point of sale

Keypad covers, terminal faces and signage overlays

Fitness equipment

Sweat- and wipe-down-resistant console faces

Security & access

Intercom panels, keypads and elevator controls

Graphic overlay FAQ

Polyester resists chemicals and stays dimensionally stable, making it the default for most overlays and backlit designs. Polycarbonate is tougher and more impact-resistant, ideal for unbacked panels that get handled or bumped. Send us your environment and we'll recommend one.
AI, PDF, CDR or DWG vector files at 1:1 scale with Pantone references work best. Raster at 300+ DPI is fine for simple designs. Missing files? We can redraw from a physical sample or photo.
Yes. We color-match against Pantone or your physical sample, produce a proof print, and iterate until you approve the color — before any tooling is cut.

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