Custom Control Panel Labels & Polycarbonate Overlays
Precision-printed polycarbonate and polyester overlays for industrial control panels, machine interfaces and instrument front panels — the core product of Adcal Labels since 1980.
Multi-colour screen printing, embossed actuator areas, transparent display windows and hard coat surface protection. Manufactured entirely in-house at High Wycombe, UK.
What Is a Control Panel Overlay?
A control panel overlay — also called a panel label, panel fascia or interface graphic — is a precision-printed sheet of polycarbonate or polyester that mounts onto the front face of an industrial control panel, instrument or machine interface. It carries all the visual information the operator needs: button positions, legends, indicator windows, warning symbols, brand graphics and any regulatory markings required by machine safety standards.
Polycarbonate is the material of choice for most industrial applications. It is highly impact-resistant, dimensionally stable across a wide temperature range, and chemically resistant to the oils, solvents and cleaning agents found in production environments. A hard coat applied to the surface provides additional scratch resistance that keeps the panel looking new after years of heavy use.
At Adcal Labels we screen print control panel overlays using UV-stable solvent inks on flatbed presses, achieving the colour accuracy and fine line resolution that machine builders and OEMs demand. Embossing is available to create raised actuator domes over push-button positions, giving operators tactile confirmation without visible cutouts in the overlay. Transparent windows in register with LED indicators or LCD displays are a standard capability.
- Multi-colour screen printing — up to 10 spot colours, pantone-matched
- Polycarbonate (PC) and polyester (PET) substrates — 0.125 mm to 0.5 mm thickness
- Embossed actuator keys, display windows and dead-front graphics
- Hi-tack rear adhesive for permanent bonding to panel surfaces
- Hard coat surface resists scratching, chemical cleaning and UV fading
- Transparent windows for LED indicators and display panels
- RoHS compliant materials — suitable for ATEX Zone 2 environments on request
- Membrane switch graphics and electroluminescent (EL) panel variants available
Material Selection Guide
Polycarbonate (PC) (0.175 – 0.5 mm)
Industrial controls, machine fronts, OEM panels. Best impact resistance.
Polyester (PET) (0.125 – 0.25 mm)
Membrane switch overlays, instrument panels. Superior chemical resistance.
Hard Coat PC (0.25 – 0.5 mm)
High-wear surfaces, touchscreen covers, harsh environments.
Artwork & Technical File Requirements
We accept PDF, AI, EPS and DXF files for panel overlays. Provide a cutting line on a separate layer. Spot colours should be specified as Pantone references. We produce a pre-production colour proof for approval before running every order.
Manufacturing & Automation
Machine guarding panels, PLC interface graphics, conveyor controls and robotic cell overlays.
Electrical & Instrumentation
Switchgear labels, distribution board faceplates, meter panel overlays and measurement equipment.
Defence & Security
Military-specification overlays, ruggedised fascias for outdoor electronics and SCIF-rated panel graphics.
Test & Measurement
High-clarity panel overlays for oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal generators and lab instruments.