| Humans are visual creatures and the design of | | | | background color. Keypad manufacturers typically |
| molded keypads has to consider the look of the | | | | used Pantone numbers for color specification. This |
| controls as much as their function. Well-designed | | | | ensures that both manufacturer and buyer |
| keypad graphics contribute significantly to ease of | | | | understand the exact color that is wanted. Since |
| operation and user satisfaction. | | | | equipment often consists of subassemblies from |
| Designing Keys to Accommodate Graphics | | | | multiple manufacturers, you don't want one |
| In most cases, it is best to apply graphics directly | | | | vendor's idea of blue to clash with another |
| onto the keys of molded keypads. It eliminates | | | | vendor's idea of blue. |
| any ambiguity to a button's function. The graphics | | | | Coatings for More Protection |
| are applied to the surface of the key and then in | | | | The standard binding process will protect molded |
| the final curing process, the inks bind with the | | | | keypads that receive light use. Coatings exist to |
| silicone to create a durable graphic that will stand | | | | extend the life of the graphics if they will be used |
| up to normal use. | | | | in harsher environments. |
| Ideally, flat keys are the best surface for the | | | | Controls that will receive heavy use or will be |
| silk-screening used. However in many cases, the | | | | used under abrasive conditions, for example by |
| manufacturer prefers the look of curved keytops. | | | | operators wearing work gloves, will benefit from |
| Curved key surfaces, both convex and concave, | | | | an abrasion resistant coating. This significantly |
| can take silk-screened graphics but there are | | | | extends the life of the graphic, minimizing the |
| limits to how curved the keytop can be. The | | | | chance labels will wear off during the useful life of |
| larger the curve radius, the better the silkscreen | | | | the device. |
| process works. Single curves are better than | | | | Equipment designed for use in harsh chemical |
| compound curves when it comes to printing. | | | | environments such as industrial or laboratory |
| Graphic Design Considerations | | | | settings should probably use molded keypads with |
| An entire book could be written on the subtleties | | | | chemical resistant coatings. These coatings |
| of the graphics of molded keypads but there are | | | | provide protection against a variety of chemical |
| some basics to take into account. Contrast | | | | threats including petroleum products, oxidants and |
| between the symbols or text and the background | | | | chlorinated chemicals. Chemical coatings provide |
| should be high to aid in reading controls. Fonts | | | | some wear resistance, though not as much as |
| should be kept simple and easily readable and | | | | abrasion resistant coatings. |
| there are fonts created specifically for control | | | | Crisp, well-designed graphics add a lot to a |
| labels. Font or symbol size will be limited based on | | | | system. When controls are clearly labeled, the |
| the size and shape of the keys. | | | | device is easier and safer to use. |
| Keys of similar function can be grouped by | | | | |