Film heaters

Integrated, self‑regulating heating on thin flexible films

Printed PTC film heaters deliver even, controllable heat with built‑in safety. Self‑limiting inks ramp quickly towards a setpoint and then stabilise, reducing hot-spots and simplifying driver electronics compared with wire or foil elements.

Flexible heater

What is a film heater?

A film heater is a screen‑printed resistive pattern on a flexible substrate (typically PET, TPU, PC or PI). Conductive bus bars feed the element, and protective/dielectric layers complete the stack. In PTC (positive temperature coefficient) versions, the resistive layer increases in resistance as temperature rises, creating a self‑regulating effect.

Typical applications

  • Defogging and de‑icing: mirrors, cameras and transparent covers.
  • Anti‑condensation: enclosures, optics and displays.
  • Patient & product warming: medical care surfaces, packaging and logistics.

What we build

  • Heater layout
    Target watt density and uniformity, bus‑bar geometry, zones and keep‑outs.

  • Setpoint strategy
    PTC ink selection and patterning to reach and maintain the intended temperature band.

  • Controls & sensing
    Options for NTC/RTD integration or controller input; over‑temperature strategies.

  • Finishing
    Lamination, edge protection and tail routing; anti‑fog/anti‑scratch coatings where needed.

PTC heater Henkel

Materials and process

  • Substrates: PET and TPU for flexible laminates; PI for higher temperatures; PC where stiffness is required

  • Inks: silver or carbon conductors; resistive and PTC heater pastes; dielectric and protective layers

  • Process: screen‑printing, drying/curing, lamination and die‑cutting; optional surface treatments and coatings

  • Connectivity: FPC/flex tails, ZIF, crimp or pigtail; adhesive selection for glass, plastic or metal

Integration and assembly

We align the heater stack to your housing or glazing: adhesives and laminates, connector choice and tail routing, and bonding guidelines for plastics, metals and glass. Where optics matter, we plan clear areas and masking so visibility and heating performance coexist. This keeps the solution thin and conformable without adding a rigid PCB.

Why Quad Industries?

Prototype to volume

Share a sketch, target temperature band, surface constraints or glazing details. We pattern the heater, agree interfaces and finishing, validate heating and durability, and ramp to series with predictable lead times.

Validation and reliability

We check thermal uniformity, ramp behaviour and hot‑spot risk; run thermal cycling and condensation/defog tests for the intended environment; and document performance for repeatable manufacturing.

Standards & Quality

We operate under ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 14001 with full lot traceability. Manufacturing: European base, with production lines in Slovakia and India to support cost‑efficient volume and resilient lead times.

Why OEMs choose Quad Industries

  • proven track record as a trusted supplier

  • co-development from early concept to validated production

  • agile and robust processes designed for predictable scale-up

  • support with documentation and quality requirements for regulated markets

  • alignment with sustainability objectives and corporate governance standards

Are you ready to move forward together?

Download datasheet PTC Film Heater

PTC film heaters: thin, safe and uniform heating for modern products.

Learn about:

  • Core advantages

  • Key application areas

  • Specifications & integration options

This is why we are
complementary

Co-creation & advice

Co-creation is how we work. We challenge assumptions, ask the right questions and share insights gained from previous projects to help customers avoid pitfalls.

R&D

R&D at Quad is about exploring what’s possible before committing to what’s buildable. Through applied research, material testing and participation in innovation programs, we deepen our understanding of new technologies and emerging applications.

This knowledge feeds future projects and helps customers make informed choices early on.

Engineering

Engineering is where ideas are translated into concrete designs. Our engineers define architectures, layouts and technical details that balance functionality, performance and feasibility.

Every decision is made with downstream production and real-world use in mind.

Prototyping

Prototyping is about learning fast. We create functional samples and proof-of-concepts to test assumptions, compare options and validate critical parameters.

This hands-on phase reduces uncertainty before committing to final designs or production.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is where reliability is proven. In our European production facilities, we produce both low-volume and series runs with full control over critical processes such as printing, assembly and precision cutting.

This allows us to deliver consistent quality while managing cost, yield and lead times.

Quad Academy

The Quad Academy brings together cases, trends and insights from within Quad Industries. It’s a place to explore how technology, materials and production thinking come together in real projects.

From printed electronics to better cardiac mapping with Quad Industries and Pilotfish

Forging innovation: How Quad Industries and Carver Scientific are transforming extreme cold solutions

The Quad revolution in the design of PTC film heaters

The possibilities and the diversity of printed electronics in the automotive industry

“Co-development is key to unleashing the vast potential of printed electronics”

  • ISO-certified

Synergistically repurpose functional ROI after B2C strategic theme areas. Dynamically formulate performance based functionalities for real-time ROI. Credibly communicate.

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