
Pressure-Activated
Technologies
While most CTI technologies revolve around temperature and light, we also have technology that develops color with pressure. For instance, rubbing a coin on a printed label can reveal a hidden message used for authentication or simply for fun – like playing tic-tac-toe. More seriously, high pressure-activated technology delivered through a commercial HPP ink to verify High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) offers a quick visual way to sort packages that haven’t been HPPed, offering an extra quality check before hitting grocery shelves.
Advantages:
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Quick visual indicator
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Printable technology, just like other high speed commercial inks
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Full control over brand identity, graphic design and placement, either through existing printed label or direct package/container printing
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Use with QR codes that are scannable or unscannable, depending on the product state
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Fractions of pennies per package
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Tunable targets with high-volume implementations
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Long-term chemical stability
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Safe for indirect food contact
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BPA-, BPF-, BPS-free and compliant with REACH, Prop 65, CONEG, and many other regulations.
High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) Ink Indicators:
HPP ink has transformed the food industry, allowing juices, dips, ready-to-eat meats and more to be safer, look and taste better, and enjoy longer shelf life. But a non-HPPed package looks exactly the same as one that’s been HPPed — until now. CTI HPP Indicator Technology shows if a product has been through HPP and can be applied to packages with a printable commercial ink or preprinted labels.
no pressure applied
HPP pressure verified


Here are available HPP technology indicator “recipes” – combinations of pressures and operating environments:
Quick Code: W-1
Broad indicator for the warmest operating conditions and anything above 50,000 PSI.
Target HPP Pressure: 50,000 PSI
Operating Chamber Water Temp: 15–20°C
Quick Code: W-6
Best all-around indicator differentiating between 70, 80 and 87,000 PSI.
Target HPP Pressure: 87,000 PSI
Operating Chamber Water Temp: 10–15°C
Other formula recipes may be available – contact CTI to find out more.
Industries and Applications
Foods Flexible packaging and containers for ready-to-eat meats, sauces, soups, salsas, hummus and beverages – anything that may be put through the High Pressure Pasteurization process.
Availability
UV Flexo, Water-Based Flexo, Solvent-Based Flexo and Gravure, UV Wet Offset, UV Dry Offset. Other print formats may be available.
and schedule a qualification trial.
Pressure-Activated Indicators:
This printed technology changes from clear to the target color when a user applies pressure, using a coin or other hard surface.


Industries and Applications
Foods Traceability and authentication for food labels and packages. Good-seal indicator for films on plastic containers. Hidden control numbers.
Industrial Color indicator to show a good seal between tape and surface (slide painter’s knife or scraper across the tape).
Availability
UV Flexo, Water-Based Flexo. Other print formats may be available.
High-Pressure activated ink technology requires detailed understanding of the application and only may be purchased after completing a requirements assessment and qualification trial.
and schedule a qualification trial.