Innovations
Thermochromic Inks
The role inks/colour plays can be crucial to the success or failure of a printed product. OPM work closely in partnership with Intercolor to offer innovation and a wide range of printed effects.
Thermochromic inks are manufactured from a special pigment which changes from a coloured state to colourless in response to a rise in temperature.
These inks have serious applications such as in the food industry. They can be used to indicate when a packaged food has reached the correct temperature in an oven or that your bottle of wine is chilled to perfection.
Thermochromic inks are more expensive than normal inks but they can be applied by most printing processes. Normally the special ink is only applied to small areas of the product/package and this minimises costs.
Applications include;
- Security Printing | Promotional Items – Heat & Reveal Applications
- Anti Counterfeit | Direct Mail
- Smart Packaging | Game Cards
- Temperature Activated Labels | Consumer Interactive Marketing
- Safety Level Monitoring | Interactive Clothing and Textiles
- Shrink Sleeve Labeling | Thermometry
- Ceramics, Bottle and Cans | Chill Chain Monitoring
Commonly asked questions; What activation temperatures are available in the thermochromic ink range?
Standard temperatures are Cold, Warm and Hot. Low temperature 15 ºC, Body temperature 31 ºC, and high temperature 47 ºC however, this is dependent on colour.
What colours are available as standard in the thermochromic ink?
Black, Blue (Reflex Blue), Red (192)
Are there any custom colours in the thermochromic ink range?
Most colours can be reproduced to meet customer requirements. For specific colours please contact sales@opmgroup.co.uk
