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What is a Graphic Overlay?

If you’re asking yourself what a graphic overlay is, then you’ve come to the right place.

As a custom manufacturer of ID products, graphic overlays are just one of the many types of printed labels that we manufacture at Roemer Industries. 

In simple terms, a graphic overlay is a type of printed decal that is made of multiple thin layers of plastic. Overlays contain printed information that get placed on top of products to communicate critical steps to the user of that product. They are most commonly found on ATMs, gas pumps, electrical control panels, and medical devices in hospitals.  

Graphic Overlay from Roemer Industries
This graphic overlay will sit over an environmental monitoring device that monitors air cleanliness.

What type of materials can Roemer produce overlays on?

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is durable and lightweight. It’s high strength makes it resistant to impact, water and chemicals. This combination makes it a durable and popular choice for graphic overlays. 

Polycarbonate Graphic Overlay
This custom graphic overlay, made of .010” polycarbonate will be used for an automotive dashboard.

At Roemer, we work with clear and textured polycarbonate, and even fire rated materials to accommodate our industrial jobs.

Polyester

Polyester is another type of plastic that has a good resistance to solvents, oils and many chemicals. It is a stronger plastic with good clarity and is able to be UV cured.

Vinyl

Vinyl is another strong plastic, similar to polyester, where it’s not easily torn or damaged. It’s thermal stability makes it great for heat resistance.

What print processes are available for custom graphic overlays?

At Roemer, we understand that every project has unique needs. That’s why we offer a variety of printing methods to ensure your overlays deliver exceptional durability for your specific application. Here are the most common print methods: 

  • Sub-surface printing

Sub-surface or “second-surface” printing simply means the information is printed below the surface of a material. This way, your logo or key text is fully protected from wear and tear, harsh UV rays, chemicals, greases and solvents.

  • Screen printing

Screen printing is a popular process that presses ink through a screen to create a printed design or logo. At Roemer, multi-color printing is never a problem. We work with a wide variety of Pantone colors, and we can match what you need. 

  • Digital printing

Digital printing produces high-quality prints with exceptional accuracy and detail. It does not require printing plates or cylinders, and instead relies on digital files to print on the material. At Roemer, we use our digital Mimaki printer to digitally print on certain polyester and vinyl sheets. 

Pantone color matching for labels at Roemer Industries
At Roemer, we can match nearly all Pantone colors to suit your needs.

For an industrial environment, a lot of our customers use the sub-surface printing process as it is the most durable. If you think about the end location of your graphic overlay, will it be exposed to a lot of wear and tear? Spills? Grease and grime?

For example, if you’re the product manager of a chemical company and you’re looking for an overlay for the top of one of your products, chemical spills might be at the top of your priority list. If so, sub-surface printed decals would be your best option.

Custom Features of a graphic overlay:

Our custom graphic overlays include multiple features that will improve its functionality. These features are: 

  • Windows: Clear areas designed for viewing LEDs, screens, indicator lights, etc. 
  • Embossed buttons: Raised areas that instruct the end user to take an action (like an on/off switch) or keypad information. 
  • Cut-Outs: Holes in the overlay or panel for screws, hardware or other display items. 
  • Custom Adhesive Options: We can provide multiple 3M adhesives (temporary or permanent) depending on your requirements. 
Embossed buttons on an overlay
Graphic overlays include custom features like embossed buttons, clear windows and multiple cut-outs.

Whatever your custom need is, Roemer will take care of it. We work with a vast array of customers and have over 80 years experience manufacturing overlays and panels for a multitude of industries, including:

  • OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)
  • Electrical & HVAC
  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Automotive Manufacturers
  • Transit Companies (Rail, Freight and Marine)
  • Pump & Valve Manufacturers

Contact our sales team for your next custom overlay project: 330-448-2000 x4. Short on time? Use our convenient request a quote form, and a member of our sales team will get back to you ASAP. 

Request a FREE quote