Custom Graphic Overlays

Durable metal, vinyl or polyester control panel overlays that will last the life of your part.

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Custom Graphic Overlays: Control Panel and Front Panel Overlays

MPC’s custom graphic overlays are durable enough to remain readable even under the harshest conditions, including outdoor and UV exposure, extreme temperatures, chemical exposure and cleaning processes. Our metal overlays and plastic overlays are ideally suited for heavy- and light-duty industrial and electronic applications, serving both a decorative and functional role in the machine-user interface.

MPC manufacturers control and instrument panel overlays that meet many Department of Defense and aerospace specifications, as well as many other industry standards.

A durable control panel overlay that will last the life of the part at a competitive price – that’s our guarantee.

Why Choose MPC’s Control Panel Overlays?

Printing options include highly durable Metalphoto® process, vibrant screen-printed anodized colors, and conventional screen-printed epoxy or enamel inks. Available in spot- or full-color using digital or screen-printing processes.

Applied over a supporting back panel, or on top of a mechanical or flexible membrane switch assembly for instructional, safety, or other useful information to the equipment operator.

Our advanced fabrication capabilities reduce lead time and costly tooling charges.

May be formed or bent with fabricated openings to house gauges, switches and dials, mechanical fasteners or adhesive, and more.

MPC’s advanced fabrication capabilities reduce your lead time and costly tooling charges.

Embellish with dead front images, white front images, transparent windows or selective printed textures.

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Find The Ideal Identification Products For Your Application

Explore our wide range of durable identification products, custom designed for your project, application or organization. Our product development team is on standby to design and build your perfect identification solution.

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Plastic Overlays

Metal Overlays

Metalphoto® Overlays

Request a Nameplate, Front Panel, Label & Tag Evaluation Kit

Request a free evaluation kit today and we will send you a sample kit to test our durable identification products in your own operating environment.

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Benefits of Custom Overlays

Companies often search for custom graphic overlays when they have equipment that requires a unique and completely custom interface. One common example is combining multiple components into a single control panel. Using a panel overlay is preferred over other identification means because they are cost-effective, highly customizable, and very durable.

Cost-Effective

Since custom graphic overlays are installed over the surface of your existing equipment, they almost always more cost-effective than replacing any equipment. They also help to improve the operation of equipment by adding new graphics and a streamlined interface. Custom panel overlays can also be installed using permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive or mechanical means, which can make them easier to replace if a new design is needed.

Customization

Custom panel overlays are available in many materials, including polycarbonate, vinyl, polyester, and metal. These options make choosing a suitable substrate for your application easy, and you can further customize the adhesive, finish, and coating for most custom graphic panel configurations. Some materials, such as vinyl, are especially pliable and can be used to create overlays that conform to curved or textured surfaces.

Durability

Using a custom panel overlay is one of the best ways to add a durable and secure user interface to your equipment. Custom panel overlays allow for intuitive equipment operation by clearly identifying controls and other operational elements. Labels made of materials such as some plastics and paper can be used to label controls, but these types of non-durable labels are prone to detachment and loss. Some custom graphic overlays, such as those made from Metalphoto® anodized aluminum, can survive in harsh exterior environments for over 20 years and represent the ultimate choice for extended durability. Antimicrobial overlays are an ideal choice for environments where hygiene is a concern, offering protection against bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Common Use Cases for Custom Graphic Overlays

Custom graphic overlays provide both a decorative and functional role in the machine-user interface. They are especially helpful for orienting operators of heavy machinery, robotics, and manufacturing equipment. The following are a few common use cases for custom graphic overlays:

Aerospace Instruments

One of the challenges for aerospace industry manufacturers and operators is maintaining compliance with the rigid regulatory standards that are in place. With specific guidance available for the labeling, operation, and maintenance of aviation equipment, it is important to choose a custom graphic overlay that is compliant with all applicable industry regulations. Custom panel overlays are used for many aviation instrument applications, but working with a knowledgeable partner to fabricate your overlays is a must.

Maritime Boat Switches Panels

Most vessels, both commercial and recreational, typically contain a variety of equipment systems. These are usually operated from a centralized area on the One of the best ways to ensure a clean and intuitive interface is to use a custom panel overlay. When designing a boat switch panel or adding additional electrical components or controls to an existing boat switch panel, companies can integrate the controls, switches, and knobs in an effective orientation that suits them and have a custom overlay designed to accommodate any boat switch panel design.

Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery applications require robust and durable overlays capable of withstanding harsh environments. Depending on an application’s unique requirements, there are several overlay options suitable for heavy machinery applications. Metal overlays provide the durability needed for harsh manufacturing environments. Metalphoto® overlays are an excellent choice for heavy machinery applications, offering superior graphic clarity and resistance to abrasion, chemicals, UV exposure, extreme temperatures, and corrosion. Plastic overlays, when combined with a membrane switch, can create a completely enclosed interface to protect against damage from chemicals or moisture. Plastic overlays are easily replaced, as well. For environments where hygiene is a concern, our antimicrobial overlays are a good choice. Made from a textured polyester overlay incorporating Microban® antimicrobial product protection into the texture, this film has been extensively tested and proven to inhibit the growth of a wide range of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

No Minimum Quantity, Get A Quote for Any Size Job

We have no minimum piece requirement. Our minimum production run is $400 per part number, excluding set-up fees/tooling. Contact us regarding your project.

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Get Identification Designed For Your Industry

Our uniquely durable identification products can help solve industry specific challenges. Discover more identification and interface solutions designed for assets in your industry.

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Accurate And Cost Less

Our overlay prototypes arrived ahead of schedule, were accurate and cost less than what we paid with our previous supplier.

Kurt Hebel

Symbolic Sound

Always Get What I Need

When I order our nameplates, panels and labels, I always get what I need in a professional manner, price and delivery.

Schneider Brothers Electric, Inc.

Create The Ideal Solution For Your Product Identification Needs

If you’re having trouble finding the ideal identification solution for your project or application, build it with Metalphoto of Cincinnati. Talk with our experienced sales engineers today.

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