Absolutely loved the products! The quality exceeded my expectations and shipping was incredibly fast. Will definitely be ordering again.Sarah Johnson
Description
This incredible ink changes colour when exposed to water or moisture!
Product Code: HYDROSPI1440
DESCRIPTION
Hydrochromic screen-printing ink is a smart ink that changes colour in response to moisture. It's typically white when dry but becomes translucent when exposed to water. This colour change occurs because the ink contains pigment molecules that react to changes in the water content of the surrounding environment.
How it Works:
The pigment molecules in hydrochromic ink are hydrophilic, or "water-loving." When the ink is exposed to moisture, these molecules absorb the water and swell, causing the ink to become more translucent or transparent. This reaction is reversible, meaning the ink will return to its original colour once it dries out.
Need something different? If you require irreversible inks or inks for flexographic or offset printing, we are happy to create a custom order for you in our lab.
Key Features:
- Metachromatic Function: Reversible Hydrochromic
- Colour: White (initially) to translucent (when exposed to water)
- Suitable for: Silk Screen Printing onto Fabric, Wood, Film, Paper and Board
- Base: Aqueous-based
Looking for a sprayable coating or an adhesive hydrochromic film? Please click here for more material solutions.
AVAILABLE SIZES
- 50mL (0.17 fl oz)
- 500mL (16.91 fl oz)
- 1L (33.814 fl oz)
- 5L (169.070 fl oz)
- Custom sizes are available upon request.
DOWNLOADS
APPLICATION
Hydrochromic ink is incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications:
- Art: Create dynamic and interactive artworks and installations.
- Design: Produce unique and eye-catching patterns on fabrics and products.
- Education: Develop engaging experiments that teach students about the properties of liquids.
- Engineering: Develop sensors that can detect the presence of fluids.
- Fashion: Create garments that transform when exposed to water.
- Packaging: Develop packaging materials that indicate water damage.
SHIPPING
At SFXC, we pride ourselves on providing excellent shipping services.
- Worldwide Shipping: We ship your orders globally.
- Same-Day Dispatch: For orders placed before 11 am, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).
- Reliable Delivery: We use trusted delivery partners to ensure your order arrives quickly and safely.
Have questions about shipping costs? Please get in touch with us via email or telephone for custom quotes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Tinting: While natural dyes and colourants can be used to tint SFXC Hydrochromic Ink, these products are not included.
- Trade Pricing: We offer competitive trade and wholesale pricing for orders over 5 litres. Please contact us to discuss options.
- Testing Recommended: We strongly recommend testing the product thoroughly before production to ensure suitability for your project.
- Returns: Orders of 1 litre or over are considered custom orders and cannot be returned or refunded. We suggest starting with a smaller size for testing.
- Lead Times: Larger orders (1 litre or more) may have a lead time of 10 to 15 working days. Contact us for a precise estimate.
- Shipping Restrictions: Orders over 1 kilo cannot be shipped via economy shipping and must be sent via DHL due to restrictions on liquid volumes.
- Safety: Please carefully read the TDS and MSDS on this page before use.
Our complete terms and conditions can be viewed on the SFXC website or requested.
What Our Customers Say
Great customer service and even better products. The team went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied with my purchase.Mike Chen
I've been shopping here for over a year now and the quality is consistently excellent. Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable products.Emma Davis
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is SFXC ?
SFXC is a family-owned UK-based business specialising in innovative and creative materials for commercial, domestic, and educational projects. Since launching in 2008, we’ve grown into a trusted brand for special effects and smart materials worldwide.
What makes SFXC different ?
As smart material specialists, we not only source, manufacture, and distribute unique pigments, coatings, and plastics — we also offer expert advice, extensive testing, and a passion for pushing the limits of creativity.
What industries do you work with ?
We work with everyone — from artists and universities to automotive giants, film productions, fashion labels, printers, space exploration, and even the military! If your project needs a creative spark, we’re here to help.
What special effect materials do you offer ?
Our technologies include Liquid Crystal, Thermochromic, Photochromic, Hydrochromic, Glow in the Dark, Fluorescent, Pearlescent, Colour Changing, Holographic, Conductive, Reflective, Scented, Invisible, and Infrared materials. We also offer a range of additives and binder systems.
Do you offer project support ?
Absolutely! Our full Design Service can help with R&D, material sourcing and consultancy, product design and manufacturing, direct marketing, print and design, and installations. We love helping our customers bring their ideas to life.