Membrane Switches
Low-profile, fully sealed switches built from precision-printed circuit layers. We design, prototype and volume-produce tactile and non-tactile membrane switches for medical, industrial and consumer products — with free DFM review and working samples in 10–15 days.
A membrane switch is a momentary-contact switch built from thin, flexible layers: a printed graphic overlay, silver-ink or copper circuits, and a spacer that keeps the contacts apart until pressed.
Pressing the overlay flexes the top circuit through the spacer opening until it touches the bottom circuit, closing the switch. Release the key and the flexible film springs back, opening the circuit. A single tail routes every key to your PCB — no individual wiring, no exposed contacts.
Every switch is a stack of precisely aligned layers, each selected for your environment:
A standard five-layer construction, fully customizable: add domes for tactile feel, LEDs for backlighting, shielding for EMC, or a rigid backing plate for drop-in mounting.
Standard membrane switch construction — every layer is customizable
Nearly every parameter is configurable. Pick from the list below — or send a drawing and we'll propose the best combination.
Any outline — circles, cutouts, complex curves — from 10 mm keys to full-panel layouts.
Metal snap domes for a crisp click, or polyester embossed domes for a soft feel.
Screen or UV printing, matte/gloss textures, selective gloss, embossing and anti-glare.
LED edge-lit or light-guide backlighting with uniform brightness and long life.
Silver-ink or copper shielding layers with grounding tails for noisy environments.
FPC tail, ZIF, pin header, box header or wire lead — matching your PCB interface.
3M-class adhesives tuned for metal, painted, powder-coated or plastic enclosures.
PET, FR4, aluminum or stainless backing for stiffness, mounting and grounding.
Typical values from our standard build. Tighter tolerances and special ratings are available after DFM review.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Circuit construction | Single / double-sided, silver ink or copper |
| Substrate | Polyester (PET) 0.125–0.25 mm; polycarbonate optional |
| Actuation force | 100–600 g (1.0–5.9 N), custom |
| Contact resistance | ≤ 100 Ω initial (silver ink) |
| Circuit resistance | ≤ 100 Ω per line, typical |
| Contact bounce | ≤ 5 ms |
| Cycle life | 1,000,000–5,000,000 cycles |
| Operating temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Dielectric withstand | 250 VAC, 60 s |
| Insulation resistance | ≥ 100 MΩ @ 100 VDC |
| Sealing | IP65–IP67 with sealed construction |
| Connectors | FPC tail, ZIF, pin, box header, wire |
| Compliance | RoHS, REACH, UL 94V-0 materials |
Membrane switches earn their place wherever sealed, low-profile controls meet real-world abuse.
Patient monitors, infusion pumps, diagnostic equipment
CNC panels, PLC HMIs, machine operator interfaces
POS keypads, payment terminals, receipt printers
Treadmill consoles, strength machines, smart gyms
Washing machines, ovens, air conditioners, coffee machines
EV charging stations, dash controls, utility vehicles
A clear, four-step path with engineering feedback at every stage.
Drawing, sample or rough sketch — any format works.
Material and tolerance suggestions plus pricing in 24 hours.
Prototype in 10–15 days; iterate until approved.
100% electrical and visual inspection, worldwide shipping.
Latest from the Blog
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Read article"Polyester (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) are the two dominant graphic overlay materials. Learn how chemical resistance, printing, flexibility and cost decide which one your membrane switch needs."
Read article"Before you approve a membrane switch drawing, you need to check these seven specifications — from actuation force to tail routing. A 10-minute review now prevents expensive tooling changes later."
Read articleSend it today and get engineering feedback, material suggestions and a quote within one business day.