Your graphic overlay is the single most important element of your product. It is the human-interface panel to your equipment providing branding identification, communication and equipment control. Graphic Overlays must provide excellent durability, functionality and decoration. With General Label, our years of experience and processes guarantee consistent, high quality parts. Before your production run, we offer a free dimensional check. This is a non-printed, cut part to ensure you have the proper fit. From a wide variety of material selection to special finishes, General Label provides solutions for high performance graphic overlays. We are committed to designing and engineering the finest-quality, cost-effective graphic overlay available. Contact us today to discuss your graphic overlay features.
Graphic Overlay Features
Base Material
Overlays are generally printed on the backside (sub surface) of a clear material, typically polyester or polycarbonate. Subsurface printed graphics are protected by the clear film itself which eliminates the need for an overlaminate. See “materials” section for a full list of materials available.
Screen Printed Graphics
Screen printed graphics use U.V. inks, Pantone® colors, or metallic inks. We can accurately match color values, densities and gloss levels, providing exceptional product color match and production consistency.
Digitally Printed Graphics
Your graphic overlay can also be printed on our HP Indigo 5600 digital press, digital flatbed printer or roll printer. We offer our customers affordable short-run printing or prototypes. Digitally printing your overlay provides endless design flexibility and imagination.
Windows/LED Windows
If your overlay will be placed over LEDs or other types of electronic displays, a clear or colored tinted window can be created. This allows the interface to have a clean look while still providing all of the required functionality.
Selective Texture
A screen printed clear coating can be printed on top of the overlay to provide extra protection and style. Generally, clear windows are left glossy while the overall panel may have a slight texture to it.
Light Block (Blocker)
A screen printed color like white, black or blocker inks are used to increase opacity. This is needed on overlays with illuminated displays to prevent light from “bleeding” into other areas of the panel. A blocker is recommended with an overlay that has a light colored background that is being applied to a dark surface.
Embossing
Embossing the overlay surface delivers a unique look and feel to your products interface. Utilizing different embossing techniques for specific keys of the application can improve usability by helping operators locate important keys quickly. Multi-level embossing is available.
3M™ Adhesives
The adhesive is on the underside of the base material, which adheres the overlay to the product. The specific type of 3M™ adhesive will depend on the surface to which it’s applied.
Adhesive Spacer
Adhesives can be cut and “selectively applied”, known as the adhesive spacer, voiding out areas for keys, windows, led windows or any other area where no adhesive is required.
Premask
Premask is a covering used to provide surface protection to a clear window or the entire overlay for ease of application. Once the overlay is applied, the premask is peeled off.
Cutting Options
Generally, overlays are cut with steel rule dies. For short runs or prototypes we have digital and laser cutting capabilities to eliminate the need for tooling. Tolerances as low as .005”.
