The invention relates to an operating element cap (1), comprising a cap body (2) for covering and/or actuating a switch of an associated operating element, wherein in the cap body (2) a luminous or projection area is configured in such a way that a symbol (5) represented on or by the luminous or projection area becomes visible to an operator of the operating element by means of irradiation by means of a light source arranged on the switch side. The operating element cap according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the luminous or projection area comprises a film (4), wherein the film (4) comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of small light-refracting balls connected in optical contact with the substrate, an opaque matrix surrounding the small balls, and optionally a diffuser or a diffuser layer, wherein the light originating from the light source passes through the small light-refracting balls, the substrate and, if appropriate, the diffuser or diffuser layer. The invention furthermore relates to an associated production method, an operating element comprising the above-described operating element cap, and a use.