Decorative backlit components using transparent thermoplastic elastomers and methods of making the same

摘要

A method of making soft touch components such as a switch button in an automobile. The component part is molded out of optically clear thermoplastic elastomer. In the molding process, a thin decorative ink film is molded onto the surface the part. The decorative film may consist of multiple layers, incorporating colors, graphics and different textures. The backlighting will occur through the transparent optically clear thermoplastic elastomer.