What Is a Graphic Overlay?
Graphic overlays are made from sheets of clear material (usually polycarbonate or polyester). These sheets are printed and cut in various configurations to meet the user’s specific needs.
Graphic overlays are between 3 and 20 mils thick, with the most common thickness being 10 mils. The thickness of the material provides a protective layer that is much greater than a product where printing is applied on the top surface. The ink is protected between the material and the adhesive, allowing it to last for long periods without deteriorating.
Our overlays are constructed using 3M™ pressure-sensitive adhesive systems (including the industry-standard 200MP acrylic adhesive) chosen to match your specific panel surface: metal, high-energy plastics, powder-coated panels, lightly oiled surfaces, or polycarbonate and polyester substrates. Bond strength is maintained after temperature cycling (four passes from –20°F to 158°F), 100-hour water immersion, and seven-day exposure at 90% relative humidity.
Check out our large variety of adhesives that are applied, after printing, to adhere to even the most difficult of surfaces.
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Types of Custom Graphic Overlays We Offer
Graphic overlays are used in a variety of industries such as electronics, security, construction, fitness, medicine and entertainment. Label-Aid Systems, Inc. specializes in creating a range of graphic overlays:
Advantages of Custom Graphic Panel Overlays
The benefits of custom graphics are numerous. With a graphic overlay for your products, you can:
- Enhance original technology: Graphic overlays revitalize your electronics, making them look appealing and modern with colors, shapes, and logos.
- Improve user experience: Graphic overlays guide customers in operating the device or equipment’s control settings for a better user experience.
- Build a positive reputation: Custom graphic overlays maintain color, shape, and readability, reflecting high quality and enhancing your company’s reputation.
- Shield sensitive circuitry: Custom overlays protect sensitive electrical components from contaminants, oil, dirt, harsh weather, and UV rays.
- Engineered adhesive systems: Every overlay ships with a 3M™ adhesive matched to your surface — from standard metal panels (3M 467MP, 7955MP) to low-energy plastics and powder-coated surfaces (3M 9472LE, 9672LE). Peel adhesion up to 15.3 N/cm (140 oz/in) on stainless steel. Bond strength is maintained through humidity, water immersion, temperature cycling, and chemical exposure.
- Fire safety options: For applications requiring flammability ratings, Label-Aid offers UL94 V-0 certified polycarbonate films (LEXAN™ FR700 and Dura-Go FR65) and UL94 V-2 rated films (LEXAN™ 8B35V). These meet the stringent requirements of electrical, electronic, power supply, and transportation applications.
Our professionals will include every design element you need in your custom graphic overlay. You can choose from many thicknesses, colors, shapes, durability and dimensions for a flexible solution that meets your specific requirements.
Graphic Overlay Industry Applications
Label-Aid Systems, Inc. provides high-quality overlays for a wide range of industries, including:
