Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering a contrast of an as-manufactured LCD device is described. The LCD device includes a contrast-setting circuit and a printed circuit flex. During the assembly process, a shunt around a resistor in a voltage divider subcircuit of the contrast-setting circuit extends onto a portion of the printed circuit flex. Due to the shunt, the resistor is initially in a shorted state such that the resistor does not influence the contrast-setting circuit. During a stage of the assembly process, a current contrast of the liquid crystal display device is determined. If the current contrast deviates from an intended contrast, the portion of the printed circuit flex is severed from the rest of the printed circuit flex such that the resistor becomes unshorted and thereby influences the contrast-setting circuit to provide a contrast closer to the intended contrast.