Printed sensors

Thin‑film sensing for FSR, pressure and moisture

Printed sensors put detection functions on flexible films. We screen‑print conductive, resistive and dielectric layers to create elements that sense force/pressure and moisture/contact. The result is low‑profile sensing that fits under panels, inside enclosures or onto curved surfaces.

Printed electronics - antenna

What is a printed sensor?

A printed sensor is a thin film that changes its electrical response when something happens, like pressure or moisture. A force/pressure sensor gets more or less conductive as you press it, so you can detect presence or relative force. A moisture sensor uses two comb-like traces that a drop of water can bridge, so you can spot leaks or condensation early.

Typical applications

  • Appliances & industrial: door‑closed sensing, presence pads under keys, pressure strips on fixtures, leak detection in enclosures.
  • Mobility: seat/occupancy pads, touch‑assist strips, moisture detection near windows or lighting.
  • Medical & care accessories: bed/chair occupancy pads, drip/leak indicators, non‑diagnostic contact detection in devices.
  • Consumer & sport: force inputs in controllers and equipment; moisture flags in wear‑adjacent products.

What we build

Rapid advances in flexible screen‑printed electrodes now make it practical to integrate sensors into products that only a few years ago were not feasible. Think plastic packaging, clothing, sports footwear and even mattresses.

  • Force/pressure (FSR)
    Load ranges and response curves tuned by spacer, ink and geometry; single‑point, bars or simple matrices.

  • Moisture/contact
    Interdigitated patterns for leak/condensation detection; optional area zoning and thresholds.

  • Form factors
    Single sensors, rows and arrays; flat or curved placement; keep‑outs and mounting holes defined for assembly.

  • Connectivity
    FPC/flex tails with ZIF (zero-insertion-force) pads, crimp or pigtail; optional on‑film resistors for simple dividers.

Printed electronics rectangle

Materials and process

  • Substrates
    PET and TPU for flexible laminates; PI for higher temperatures.

  • Inks
    Silver and carbon conductors, resistive inks for FSR layers, dielectric and protective coats.

  • Process
    Screen‑printing, curing, lamination and die‑cutting; optional adhesives pre‑applied for fast assembly.

Calibration and reliability

For FSRs we define load points, drift behaviour and repeatability, then run load‑cycle tests. For moisture we set detection thresholds, verify response time and check false‑trigger behaviour under humidity. Documentation supports traceability and production control.

Integration and assembly

We align the sensor stack to your housing: adhesives and lamination foils, tail routing and connector choice, and mounting features for plastics, metals and glass. Where shielding is required, we add ground planes and isolation gaps. For matrices we define pinouts and simple readout schemes.

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.

Standards & Quality

We operate under ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 14001 with full lot traceability. For regulated programmes we align technical documentation to your device and market without implying regulatory approval. Manufacturing: European base, with production lines in Slovakia and India to support cost-efficient volume and resilient lead times.

Looking for sensing in fabrics? Explore our smart textiles.

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?

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.

Unlock the potential of printed electronics with Henkel’s Sensor INKxperience Kit

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Enabling the Internet of Things

“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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