Printed electronics
Printed Heaters – Flexible Thin-Film Heating Systems for Modern Applications
Printed heaters – also known as heating foils or thin-film heating systems – offer innovative solutions for applications requiring flexibility, weight reduction, and energy efficiency. They are produced by applying electrically conductive pastes or inks onto suitable substrates using printing technologies such as screen printing or inkjet printing. Conductive media include silver-, carbon-, or graphene-based inks, while substrates range from PET films and glass to textiles.
Functionality
The principle is based on the resistance heating effect (Joule’s law):
When an electrical voltage is applied to the printed structures, the conductive layer heats up and distributes the heat evenly through the substrate. Printing technology enables precise design of heating patterns, allowing customization of shape, size, and performance characteristics.
Advantages
Flexible & lightweight – applicable on curved or deformable surfaces, foils, and textiles
Cost-efficient – minimal material usage
Fast and controlled heating
Design flexibility – adaptable to geometry and performance requirements
Energy-efficient – ideal for localized, targeted heating
Applications
Automotive: heated exterior mirrors, steering wheels, seats
Medical technology: smart patches, heated textiles
Smart textiles: sports and functional clothing with heating functionality
Construction & household: floor or wall heating, mirror heating
Electronics: temperature stabilization of displays, batteries, or cameras
Materials & Manufacturing Processes
Conductive inks: silver nanoparticles, carbon black, graphene
Substrates: PET, PI, TPU, glass, ceramics, paper, textiles
Screen Printing Method: A proven, cost-effective process for large-area and reproducible heating structures – particularly suitable for roll-to-roll mass production.
KIWO – Your Partner for Stencil Making & Printing Media
Precise stencil production plays a key role in implementing efficient printed heating systems. KIWO offers extensive expertise and a comprehensive product portfolio. Particularly noteworthy are AZOCOL Z 177 FL, AZOCOL Z 173/1 FL-H, and AZOCOL S 305 FL: high-end photoemulsions designed for applications requiring maximum resolution and edge sharpness. “FL” stands for Fine-Line: when combined with high-quality steel meshes and exposure films or chrome masks, line widths below 30 μm can be achieved.
In addition, we support you in selecting and applying suitable conductive printing media (including Henkel systems).
Our goal: Tailor-made solutions for reproducible and economically efficient manufacturing processes in printed electronics.
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Press
Press Contact
Please feel free to reach out to our marketing department for any media inquiries, press releases, or marketing-related requests.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Laura Haas
+49 6222 578-148
laura.haas@kiwo.de