A plastic substrate is disclosed that is provided with a conductive layer wherein an electroluminescent layer is applied to a conductive layer. In order to produce the electroluminescent layer, a printing paste is used that is preferably applied by means of screen printing. The printing paste is based on a transparent, acrylate-based UV printing lacquer that is known per se. The UV printing lacquer is mixed with electroluminophores at a ratio of at least two parts by weight UV printing lacquer and three parts by weight electroluminophores. A phthalic acid emollient is added. The dielectric layer results from the application, preferably the imprinting, of a dielectric paste. Preferably, a composition is selected from the dielectric paste that is similar to that of the printing paste. Here, however, instead of the luminescent pigments, a filler is used, preferably a mixture of barium titanate and titanium dioxide. The back electrode may advantageously be produced by applying (preferably using pressure) a silver conductor paste already used for conventional electroluminescent elements.