What Is Photochromic Ink? Daylight-Change Ink Guide
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2026-08-04 published · updated
SJH photochromic ink (gray): develops color under sunlight, covered or stacked areas remain milky white.
Photochromic ink (daylight-change ink) combines anti-counterfeiting, decoration and fun.
What It Is
Colorless or light in the dark, develops color within seconds under sunlight or UV, and slowly returns to its original shade when light is removed.
Key Features
No equipment needed
Repeated color change, stable performance
Custom colors
Screen, gravure, flexo, pad, spray printing
Applications
Security hang tags, cosmetics packaging, tickets, souvenirs, cultural products.
SJH Ink offers custom photochromic ink with free printed proofs. Tel 13510998453, www.sjhink.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Selection, detection, printing and ordering — answered.
What is photochromic ink?
Also called sunlight-activated or UV-sensitive colour-changing ink. It is colourless or pale indoors and in the dark, develops colour quickly in sunlight or UV, and slowly returns to its original state once out of the light — combining security, decoration and novelty in one material.
Does photochromic ink need special equipment?
No. It develops colour within seconds in sunlight or UV and is visible to the naked eye. It can repeat the cycle many times with stable performance, and the colour can be customised.
How does photochromic ink differ from thermochromic ink?
The trigger differs: photochromic reacts to light (sunlight or UV), thermochromic to temperature. The experience differs too: photochromic reveals itself when the product is taken into daylight, which suits hang tags, packaging and tickets; thermochromic reacts to hand warmth or heat and cold, better for interactive marketing and temperature indication.
Which printing processes does photochromic ink support?
Screen, gravure, flexo, pad printing and spray coating, among others.
Where is photochromic ink typically used?
Security hang tags, cosmetics and personal-care packaging, tickets, souvenirs and creative products.
