| Because silicone is such a versatile material, | | | | keypads. The graphics can be text for devices |
| companies have a number of options when | | | | that will be distributed in areas that share a |
| designing the look of custom silicone keypads. The | | | | common language, standard icons if the |
| look and feel of the keys can improve both the | | | | equipment will see international distribution, or any |
| functionality of molded keypads as well as their | | | | other graphic your design team can imagine. Silk |
| impact on customers. | | | | screening is durable and will last even under heavy |
| No More Square Keys | | | | use. Backlit keypads use laser etching to reveal a |
| Move away from the traditional square buttons of | | | | translucent undercoating to give contrasting color |
| a telephone keypad. Custom silicone keypads can | | | | on illuminated keys. |
| be molded into nearly any shape you can imagine. | | | | How Does It Feel? |
| Gentle curves or sharp corners can complement | | | | Variations in the silicone formula and the physical |
| the overall design of your device, maintaining its | | | | design of the key give different tactile sensations. |
| unique look right down to the control panel. | | | | The silicone rubber can be manufactured so that |
| Once you abandon the traditional square buttons, | | | | the hardness varies. For some applications, soft |
| you have more choice in overall key layout. | | | | rubber is ideal while for others a harder rubber |
| Where should the buttons go on your device? | | | | might make the device feel sturdier. Harder |
| What looks best and what feels best to the user? | | | | rubber is more durable so will degrade more |
| For example, if you need a simple numeric | | | | slowly under hard use. |
| keypad, perhaps the keys would be more | | | | Variation of the forces required to activate the |
| accessible in a single row along the side rather | | | | keys will change how "clicky" the buttons feel. A |
| than standard 3x4 grid. | | | | stronger click gives a solid and pleasant tactile |
| Bring Your Device To Life With Vibrant Color | | | | feedback to the user and is ideal for keypads |
| Contrary to what many electronics designers | | | | that will see occasional use. A device for users |
| seem to believe, there are more colors in the | | | | who will be using the controls more frequently |
| palette than black, white and silver. Color adds | | | | might benefit from a softer click which will be less |
| depth to your design so it stands out from the | | | | fatiguing to users' fingers. |
| competition. It has a more practical use as color | | | | Get creative when designing custom silicone |
| can organize buttons into different functional | | | | keypads. Think outside traditional designs and take |
| areas making it easier for users to master the | | | | your device in new directions. You will create a |
| controls. | | | | unique look and more functional controls in the |
| Graphics can be screen printed over the base | | | | process. |
| color to add even more to your custom silicone | | | | |