A membrane switch is a printed electronic circuit that uses pressure to open and close a circuit. The circuitry is most often screen printed using conductive inks, which are typically made of silver, carbon, and/or graphite. These switches serve as the interface between man and machine, enabling operators to communicate with equipment, instruments, or machinery effectively.

Membrane switches are essentially a sandwich of thin layers bonded together using pressure-sensitive adhesives. Depending on application requirements, a switch consists of between 4 to 9 layers. The top layer is the graphic overlay, with printed circuitry underneath. Activation occurs when a printed shorting pad or metal dome makes contact with the bottom circuit layer, closing the circuit.