The materials used in analog resistive touchscreens are crucial to the functionality and performance of the technology. The touch screen is composed of two transparent and flexible layers, which are made of thin films of conductive and resistive materials. One common material used for the conductive layer is indium tin oxide (ITO), which is a transparent conductor that allows light to pass through while also conducting electricity. The resistive layer is usually made of plastic or polyethylene, which is a flexible and durable material that can resist pressure and wear and tear.

Analog resistive touchscreens can be further classified based on the number of layers used in the construction of the touch screen. While the basic principle remains the same, different types of resistive touchscreens may have different numbers of layers, which can affect their performance and functionality.

A 2-layer resistive touch screen consists of only two transparent and resisitive layers: ITO film+ ITO glass, as previously described. This type of touch screen is the most basic and simple form of resistive touch screen technology.

A 3-layer resistive touch screen is a type of touch-sensitive display commonly used in various electronic devices. It consists of three main layers: a decorated layer, two functional layers, and additional sub-layers, making a total of 7 layers. The decorated layer is placed on the top and often has a silk-screen design. The two functional layers are made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and are responsible for detecting touch inputs. These layers are separated by a double-sided adhesive tape. When pressure is applied to the surface, the two functional layers make contact, registering a touch input.

There are two different configurations for 3-layer resistive touch screens. In Option 1, the top layer is the decorated layer, followed by the functional layers. In Option 2, the first and second layers are functional, and the bottom layer is a supporting layer that increases the strength of the entire panel. Although these screens provide a satisfactory touch experience, their light transmittance and durability can be compromised compared to other touch screen technologies.

A 4-layer resistive touch screen is another type of touch-sensitive display that offers increased durability and reliability compared to its 3-layer counterpart. The main structure consists of four layers: a decorated layer, two functional layers, and a supporting layer. In total, there are 9 layers in a 4-layer resistive touch screen.

The decorated layer is on top and features a silk-screen design, while the two functional layers, made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), are responsible for detecting touch inputs. These functional layers are separated by a double-sided adhesive tape. The supporting layer is placed at the bottom, providing additional strength to the entire panel. The structure of the 4-layer resistive touch screen, from top to bottom, is as follows: decorated layer, OCA1 (Optical Clear Adhesive), ITO bear layer1, ITO layer1, double-sided tape, ITO layer2, ITO bear layer2, OCA2, and supporting layer.

Despite its advantages, 4-layer resistive touch screens are not commonly found in the market. This is mainly due to their high production cost and the increasing popularity of capacitive touch screens, which offer better touch responsiveness, higher light transmittance, and multi-touch capabilities.

Regardless of the number of layers used, the basic principle of analog resistive touchscreens remains the same, as they all rely on the interaction between the two resistive layers to generate an electrical signal that is interpreted as a touch event by the device.