At PRINTEC, membrane switches are produced as a custom designed product, adhering strictly to our customer’s requirements and specifications. All of the latest technical options and advantages are offered to make your transition of product to PRINTEC a simple, easy and successful experience.

PRINTEC follows ISO 9001 systems. Our focus is on quality control, service and delivery. Quick turn, short lead times and inventory options are available. These services along with globally competitive pricing, makes partnering with PRINTEC a necessity in today’s highly competitive marketplace.

  • Quick Turn Prototypes
  • UL Certified Printer
  • IP 67 Membranes

Overlay Material

The Overlay material is a key part in the membrane construction. Not only does it provide the aesthetics for the membrane, but it also must withstand the environments the membrane will be exposed to. PRINTEC utilizes a wide variety of materials to survive any environment. Below is a list of materials and information pertaining to their performance. If further information is required, please contact us to assist your design needs.

printec overlay material diagram

Overlay Material

Printec offers various embossing options to exceed our customer’s expectations. The following designs are examples of what can be accomplished. A design can have a combination of options on one overlay.

The pillow emboss allows the membrane switch to be a thinner construction when tactile feedback is required. The pillow will rest over a metal or polyester dome and provide positive tactile feedback.

The rim emboss is utilized on membrane switches(with or without tactile feedback). This design allow the user to locate the key easier.

The dual emboss is used in special designs, such as In Mold Decorating (IMD). This feature allows the overlay to have an emboss as well as a deboss in the same key.

The LED window emboss is utilized on membrane designs with LED’s incorporated into the package. This methodology is an effective way to design a thinner switch, versus a flat membrane with LED’s and provides a wider viewing angle than a typical flat overlay window.

Note: Emboss height should not be more than 1.5 times than material thickness, however, the LED/Brail design is an exception.

printec embossing design options

Membrane Designs

PRINTEC has the experience to design your membrane switch for any environment. Below are reliable designs that PRINTEC can manufacture for you, as well as meet mechanical, electrical and environmental specifications.

printec membrane switch specifications diagram

printec tactile membrane

Backlighting

Printec can supply a wide range of methodologies to backlight your product. Some of the common solutions include:

 printec embossed membrane led

LED

This is the most cost effective method to backlight selective areas using wide variety of substrates, LED styles, sizes and colors.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optics is an effective way of backlighting large panels and membrane switches. Its flexible fibers are designed for maximum light transmission as well as uniform illumination. The layers are backlit by a LED on the motherboard.

Electroluminescent

Electroluminescent (EL) is a thin and flexible layer capable of lighting uniformly and is esthetically appealing. It can be designed to light a wide are or discrete locations. EL can be designed to have multiple colors and is a layer in the switch.

Integral LEDs

Printec’s membrane switches can be built with surgace mount LED’s embedded into the switch package to provide a cost effective way of backlighting. The designs below represent proven methods.

NOTE: The flat membrane design will be the thicker design of the two (i.e. ~ .060″)