Abstract: An operator control panel for operating machine tools or production machines has a touch-sensitive keyboard with a customer-specific shape and configuration. The control panel includes a face plate with a shape and configuration adapted to a shape of the touch-sensitive keyboard, and frame profiles matching the outside contour of the face plate for receiving the face plate. A user-selectable process for planning the operator control panel before manufacturing is also described. The disclosed operator control panel can be easily and inexpensively customized.