A graphic overlay is a front panel for an electronic interface. They are typically made from durable polycarbonate or polyester materials, and can be hard coated for extra scratch resistance. These overlays are commonly printed on the reverse side to protect the printed graphics from wear and tear and give longevity.
These overlays are often used on panels with switches, touch screens, and other interactive interfaces. Key industries that favour this technique include:
Screen print – solvent and UV inks
Digital print – flat bed and roll fed
The majority of graphic overlays for large production runs are screen printed as one of the most skilled and trusted methods of printing, still highly revered for its high-quality appearance and finish, another advantage is the fact you can screen print onto virtually any material. We are able to print using both traditional heat cured inks “Stoving” or specialised UV inks cured in our UV drier.
For smaller runs, prototyping and more complex shaded colouring (CMYK) we offer a range of high-quality Digital print options.
At Cotswold Screen Printers we embrace both the traditional method of hand squeegeeing and automated screen printing, we also offer high-definition digital printing, excellent for short runs, prototyping and complex colours/ shades (CMYK), or if you wish to emboss/ add a textured varnish to you finished product. See Digital Printing for more information.
The main advantage of overlays is their extreme durability, whether being used Inside or outside making them suitable for any application, particularly popular in the medical and musical industries or any situation that demands a highly durable finish.