How your keypad looks is just as important as how it functions. We know that here at SiTech, which is why we put a lot of thought and effort into the aesthetics of the final products we produce.
There are many elements that go into the appearance part of your design:
1. Screen Printing
All positive and reverse graphics are done with screen printing here at SiTech, as we utilize proprietary silicone inks that result in a cross-link bond to the silicone components and rubber keypads. This happens during the curing process. The result? A durable, long-lasting graphic increases the lifespan of your keypad under standard industry rigors.
Visually-pleasing graphics have a big impact on how users will feel about your product. To that end, a well-designed keypad boosts the appearance of your product, to be sure, but it also boosts its functionality as well.
- Embossing & Engraving
Adding some embossing or engraving to the product can help provide decorate elements for the keys’ surface. All that needs to be done is to add the image or text to the mold so it either embosses or engraves the silicone surface — your choice. This process will last the life of the product, without wearing over time because it’s not just a sticker, adhesive or printing that only adheres to the upper most surface.
However, using this method also means dirt and debris can easily become trapped during the process. There are some limitations too, including a minimum line weight of 0.015” and a max depth or height of 0.012”.
3. Graphic Design
In addition to high-quality silicone inks, screening can be performed on both sides of the keypad via clear silicone application. Here at SiTech, we use Pantone numbers for color specs; however, we also have the ability to match color chips.
From abrasion and chemical resistant to industrial pre-coat and adhesive, there are many coatings that can be applied during the graphic design stage. When designing keypads, many factors have to be taken into consideration, such as:
- Keypad Size
- Colors
- Mat Thickness
- Keytop Dimensions
- Mounting Hole
- Boss Details
- Radii Dimensions
- Actuation Force
- Material Specifications
- Legends & Colors
- Key Spacing
Criticality of Design
For the end users of your product, you have to remember that their fingers spend a big chunk of their day flying across a keyboard. Whether they have an enjoyable experience or a miserable one depends on many things, from their stress levels to hunger to work load, but also whether the keyboard has been designed to meet their needs.
There are three well-known components of a keyboard’s design: the travel, the snap,and the discoverability. Changing just one of those can completely change a user’s experience.
- Travel is how far the keys move when you push on them.
- Snap is how much force is needed to press a key.
- Discoverability is how far a person’s fingers have to move to reach the many different keys.
But there’s a fourth component in design, and that’s aesthetics. If the buttons on your device are attractive and easy to use, well, you’ve hit the design jackpot. Research shows people want to use products that are attractive to them. Using the right colors and features can make or break your keypad.
Contact SiTech
We take all that into consideration and more here at SiTech. For more information about our design services for silicone keypad creation, contact us at 757-887-8488.
