Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) lamp for an electronic device includes a transparent substrate having a first and a second surface, a translucent layer formed on the first surface and a transparent electrically conductive layer formed on the second surface of the transparent substrate. The translucent layer includes a surface having a selected surface configuration. The EL lamp further includes an EL layer formed on the transparent conductive layer, an insulating layer formed on the EL layer, and an electrically conductive layer formed on the insulating layer. In one embodiment, the selected surface configuration of the translucent layer includes a metallic finish. In another embodiment, the selected surface configuration includes either a coarse or a smooth textured finish. A method of manufacturing the EL lamp is also disclosed.