---
title: Different Types of Printed Indicators – And How They Can Benefit Your Product
description: Featuring special colorimetric inks, different types of printed indicators change color in response to the presence or change of an environmental factor.
image: https://www.tapecon.com/hubfs/Product%20Photography/Printed%20Indicators/Printed%20Indicators%20Collage.jpg
---

[Skip to content](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/types-of-printed-indicators#main-content)

# Different Types of Printed Indicators – And How They Can Benefit Your Product

Written by [Casey Cephas](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/author/casey-cephas)

![Types of Printed Indicators and Benefits](https://www.tapecon.com/hubfs/Product%20Photography/Printed%20Indicators/Printed%20Indicators%20Collage.jpg)

[![Share on Facebook](https://www.completepayroll.com/hubfs/CompletePayroll/icons/facebook-f-brands.svg?width=10)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2326920/CompletePayroll/icons/linkedin-in-brands.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2326920/CompletePayroll/icons/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Different%20Types%20of%20Printed%20Indicators%20%E2%80%93%20And%20How%20They%20Can%20Benefit%20Your%20Product) [![Share on Pinterest](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2326920/CompletePayroll/icons/pinterest-p-brands.svg)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.hubspot.com%2Fhub%2F158015%2F305390_10100548508246879_837195_59275782_6882128_n.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2326920/CompletePayroll/icons/gmail.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tapecon.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-of-printed-indicators%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

In both life and product development, simple is usually better. If your product needs to monitor or indicate a change of a specific environmental factor, electronic sensors could get the job done – but they can be bulky, complicated, and expensive.

A simpler and smarter product solution may be a printed indicator. Featuring special colorimetric inks, these indicators change color in response to the presence or change of an environmental factor. Since they're printed, they can be applied directly to products or included in packaging – making them cost-efficient and easy to implement.

Here are 5 common uses for printed indicators.

### **Sterilization process**

When cleanliness is paramount, a printed indicator can be used to confirm the product has completed a sterilization process. Printed indicators can detect multiple sterilization methods, including radiation (gamma), ethylene oxide gas, or steam.

Common applications:

- Pouches
- Labels
- Tags
- Tapes
- Strips
- Dots

### **UV light**

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can degrade materials and cause health risks in food and pharmaceuticals. A printed indicator can help alleviate these issues by changing or presenting a color when the surface is exposed to UV light. Depending on your needs, it can also reverse color when the UV source is eliminated.

Common applications:

- Medical devices
- Stick-to-skin wearables
- Food packaging

### **Humidity **

The wrong humidity level can wreak havoc on a wide range of sensitive products. A printed indicator with moisture-detecting ink can alert you when the relative humidity level reaches a point that is too low or high. Since these indicators are compact and inexpensive, they can easily be applied in small areas, including inside packaging.

Common applications:

- Pharmaceuticals
- Electronics
- Military equipment
- Food packaging

### **Temperature **

Extreme temperatures or fluctuation can result in product degradation or spoilage. Thermochromic indicators are designed to activate when the temperature exits a specific range. Once the threshold is crossed, the color change can be permanent — or can turn back to its original state when the temperature returns to the proper range. Also, because temperature printed indicators can be activated by body heat, they can be used for tamper-evident applications.

Common applications:

- Pharmaceuticals
- Medical devices
- Industrial paints and chemicals
- Shipping of temperature-sensitive products
- Food and beverage

### **Chemical (gas or liquid)**

Chemical contamination can be dangerous and difficult to detect, especially toxic gases that are odorless. This is where a chemical printed indicator can be effective and potentially lifesaving. Indicators can be used to identify oxygen, CO2, and other chemicals for product protection and leak detection in work environments.

Common applications:

- Industrial gas companies
- Food safety

### **Get started with printed indicators.**

At Tapecon, we have over 100 years of experience helping customers solve their complex product challenges. Learn more about our [printed indicators](https://www.tapecon.com/printed-indicators) applications.

[Manufacturing](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/tag/manufacturing) [Printing](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/tag/printing) [Printed Indicators](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/tag/printed-indicators)

#### Subscribe To Our Monthly Newsletter 

#### Lorem Ipsum.

[Talk to Us](https://www.completepayroll.com/)

## Related Posts

### [![How Security and Traceability Work Together in Pharmaceutical Labeling](https://www.tapecon.com/hubfs/Pharma%20Label%20Graphic-1.png) June 29, 2026 How Security and Traceability Work Together in Pharmaceutical Labeling](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/security-and-traceability-in-pharma-labeling)

### [![Reducing Supply Chain Risk Through Manufacturing Consolidation](https://www.tapecon.com/hubfs/Reducing%20Risk%20Through%20Consolidation.jpg) May 27, 2026 Reducing Supply Chain Risk Through Manufacturing Consolidation](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/reducing-risk-through-consolidation)

### [![When a Sterilization Indicator Doesn’t Change Color: A Guide for Product Teams](https://www.tapecon.com/hubfs/Sterilization%20Indicator%20Guide.jpg) April 22, 2026 When a Sterilization Indicator Doesn’t Change Color: A Guide for Product Teams](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/sterilization-indicator-troubleshooting)

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=4805618&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "dateModified" : "2024-10-01",
  "datePublished" : "2024-10-01",
  "headline" : "Different Types of Printed Indicators – And How They Can Benefit Your Product",
  "image" : [ "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5610087/Product%20Photography/Printed%20Indicators/Printed%20Indicators%20Collage.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.tapecon.com/blog/types-of-printed-indicators",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  }
}
```