What a Membrane Keypad Manufacturer Needs From You?

There is a certain misconception about what a membrane keypad manufacturer asks for. You might think of the payment. But there is more to it before you can actually place an order! This post will aid to all necessary things that you need to know. The thing is, first you need to play your role and only then a keypad manufacturer can work.

What You Need To Do?

Here is the list of things that you need to take responsibility for. These points are related to your requirements and design. In short, it’s a guide to make a membrane keypad manufacturer customize things for you.

Selecting the Right Circuit and Graphic Overlay Design

It’s the heart of the switch. Start with the circuit. Now you might think, what lies with a simple circuit! There are things that can help you lower production cost.

A membrane switch consists of many layers. One of the layers among them holds the connector. So you can lower the number of layers without compromising its working capacity.

         Graphic Overlay of the Switch

This is the top layer of the switch. You can customize it and also choose whether to have a specific color and design. Now here are certain things that you need to follow. They are as follows.

         The Appearance of the Membrane Switch

Appearance is not limited to color and pattern but also the way it looks. It must match the look and feel of the appliance. Apart from that, if your appliance holds a comparatively small control panel, it is better that you keep it short and simple and with less layers.

         Creating the Final Layout

You might not conclude to the final design on one go. There are times when you will prepare around 3 or 4 layouts and will to have them all. But you need to select the best among them. So make a rough sketch. Play around with strokes and find where things will be like the switch, the border if any and so on.

Keep an eye of the size of the appliance and its colors. If you don’t your control panel might appear visually dull!

Quantity – Number of Units You Need

Quantity plays a major role and your membrane keypad manufacturer will ask for it. More quantity on order, more discounts you enjoy.

This doesn’t mean that you will not get discounts at small quantities! Make sure that you have 10 or 20 pieces extra on order. There might be certain necessity. Also when your product starts attracting customers, you will no doubt use the remaining switches for further production.

Placing an Order

Placing an order is no difficult task and is not rocket science either. Although membrane switch manufacturers asks for images of the graphical layouts diagrams on AutoCAD or PS, you can send them a snap of your hand made diagram as well.

For the customization of layers, connect with your manufacturer. You will find different variants that your manufacturer has on offer. Once you are set with all of these, mention the number of units you need and place an order.

So these are some of the important things that you need to take care of. Stay tuned for further updates. Also share this post if aided some help to you.

How To Find the Perfect Graphic Overlay for Manufacturing Membrane Switches?

Honestly, there are only two ways. Either you manufacture it or get it manufactured by a reliable graphic overlay manufacturer.

In both the cases, you will need to first settle with the design and the pattern. There are many things involved where this post will put on light. Customization might be a distinctive feature that is sought after. But, it is also challenging to get the graphic overlay of a membrane switch customized as per your requirements.

What Are The Factors That Ensures A Perfect Graphic Overlay Design?

Membrane Switches are applicable to most of the appliances in recent times. You can find them everywhere and in almost every device. Depending on your appliance, the 3 important things that you must look for are as follows.

      1.Size of the Control Panel

Control panel in large appliances need not be huge. Also it is not necessary that smaller devices can’t have a large control panel.

For example: membrane switches on an air conditioner might not take much space. In contrary to an AC, an induction cook-top is a smaller appliance. But a cook-top has much more switches!

So it is up to you to decide the size of each switch which concludes as a complete control panel. Make sure that you go with the look and feel. It must not look bulky or clumsy. This can hamper the outer appeal no matter how good your device performs.

               2.The Color of the Appliance

Depending on the color of your appliance in production, you need to decide the color for the graphic overlay of the switch.

The Graphic Overlay will include:

·         Mode of Operation

·         Border or No Border and

·         A distinctive color – dark or light

Expert Tip: Try to select a color that does not get lost with the color of the appliance. It is no touch screen! So it is better that you keep two colors – darker color for the appliance, and a lighter one for the graphic overlay. Also things can be vice versa if it matches the look and feel of the appliance.

Moreover before placing an order with a graphic overlay manufacturer you will need to settle with the final layout! So here is what you need to do.

               3.Preparing Rough Sketches – Homework

Rough sketches can help you reach to a conclusion. Don’t expect to make the final drawing on one go. You might not have trouble preparing the circuit. But buyers are not going to see that. All they will look at are the exteriors of the appliance.

When you start with the rough sketch follow these steps:

·         Do not start with the dimensions

·         Make it rough. Play around with strokes

·         Decide the place of contact (The place for pressing the button)

·         Make 2 or 3 layouts. Try inserting the text if you have any.

·         Decide to have a border or not – thin or thick

When you find that things are pretty fine, leave it for some time. Get back to it after an hour or two and prepare the final one. This time make sure that you have the dimensions right. Once you are happy with the output, take a snap of the same and send it to a graphic overlay manufacturer.

Get it customized your way and create a perfect appliance for the market. For further updates stay tuned. Also share this post if it aided some help to you.

Cheers