Uses of these products generally fall into three areas: COLD, BODY and HOT and are used to enhance labels, give warnings, advice of correct consumption temperature, show proof of authenticity or simply act as an interactive game mechanism on cards and coasters.
Thermochromic Ink reacts to changes in temperature by exhibiting a colour change. These inks are available with a colour change activation at temperatures from -10°C up to +70°C. They are reversible, changing either way as the ink warms or cools.
These temperature reactive inks, also known as leuco dye inks, are a darker colour when colder than their temperature activation point, and lighter in colour or virtually clear when warmer than their activation point.
Uses of these products generally fall into three areas: Cold, Body temp and Hot, and are used to enhance labels, indicate temperature warnings, advise correct consumption temperature, show proof of authenticity or simply act as an interactive mechanism on a wide range of print such as mailers, game cards, book covers and coasters.
For instance, smart or intelligent packaging incorporating thermochromic ink can show when perishable foods are being stored correctly at a cold temperature, or a smart label can show when microwaved food or drink is too hot to consume.
A black thermochromic ink (with body temp activation) screen printed over and obscuring a litho printed image or words, can become clear and reveal the litho image when it is touched or rubbed. A black thermochromic ink with a higher activation temperature can be screen printed onto a coffee coaster, so that the thermochromic ink becomes clear when heated by a hot mug, revealing the message or branding also printed on the coaster.
Or a flexo/gravure printed beer bottle label can have an added thermochromic colour printed on in line, which is invisible at room temperature, but becomes coloured when chilled below its activation temp, eg 6°C, thereby signifying that the beer is now perfectly chilled and ready for drinking.
We also produce colour-changing inks and sprays for glass and ceramic mugs, as well as plastisol and water based textile inks for printing onto fabrics such as T shirts.
Available colours: Black, Red, Blue, Green, Orange and Magenta
Temperatures: Between -10 and 70°C.
We hold a few standard colours however most products are developed to our customers’ needs.
Technical Literature - Click to view
Chameleon Thermochromic Inks – Sales Literature
Chameleon Water Based Flexo Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Water Based Screen Textile Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Water Based Screen Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Water Based Gravure Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Water Based Flexo Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon UV Screen Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon UV Flexo Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Solvent Based Pad Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Sheetfed Offset Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Epoxy Screen – Safety Data Sheet
Thermochromic Epoxy Screen ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Pad Printing Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Sheetfed Offset Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Solvent Based Screen Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic UV Flexo Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic UV Screen Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Water Based Flexo Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Water Based Gravure Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic Water Based Textil Screen Ink – Technical Data Sheet
Thermochromic WB Screen Ink 1 Part System – Technical Data Sheet
Screen
Flexo
Gravure
Offset/Litho
Spray
These inks change colour permanently when activated by an increase in temperature above their activation point, changing from a colourless to a coloured state. The reaction is irreversible.
The inks are used in many industrial and commercial situations to show when a temperature has been achieved (ie annealing), or as a warning label to indicate if a temperature has become too hot.
We produce and supply smart labels on reels, incorporating an irreversible thermochromic ink.
Available colours: Black, Blue and Magenta
Temperatures: Between 60 and 120°C.
Technical Literature - Click to view
Chameleon Thermochromic Inks – Sales Literature
Chameleon Irreversible Thermochromic Water Based Flexo Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Chameleon Irreversible Thermochromic Water Based Screen Ink – Safety Data Sheet
Screen
Flexo
Gravure
Offset/Litho
Spray
