Time Indicators

Timestrips® are printed by using a masking effect over the timer so we have to use special colours. This means that we work better with darker colours and cannot achieve pure whites and yellows. A good guideline is to use colours with 10% black equivalent to them. If your project is for higher volume, we are able to use a different type of print process, which enables more options on the lighter colours. We will help you every step of the way with developing a great look for your personalised time indicator.

Timestrips® are not designed to be submerged in water, but they are very splash-proof and can be immersed in water for short periods without any effect.

Yes! Our stock products take advantage of lower unit costs and lead times but if your requirements exceed 100,000 units per order we can work with you to create a fully customised product.

Most elements of Timestrip® can be adapted to suit your needs: different shapes, sizes, customer colours and logos; elapsed time periods from 5 minutes to several years; adapted for a different average temperature environment; supplied with a wide range of perm-peel or permanent adhesives or without adhesive; supplied in a key chain, on a roll, loose, in poly bags or custom packs; on a carrying card.

We can work with your product design teams to explore how custom products can be integrated into products, replacement parts or devices with or without auto-activation. Integration encourages compliance with recommended replacement cycles and thus increases purchase frequency. A small Timestrip® logo appears on all our Stock and Custom products.

Yes, this is one of our strongest points of differentiation vs. other products. Timestrip® Indicators can be loaded bulk, orientated and ready to be custom applied and even activated inline if the application warrants it.

Yes. Orientation has no impact on the way it works.

Due to the manufacturing processes involved it is not possible to supply custom made, fully functioning samples in small quantities. We provide digital proofs, showing before and after read-outs so you can see what an active Timestrip® will look like and we can also send you a variety of existing products with artwork, if you need to show functionality and check dimensions. If actual samples of your finished product are absolutely necessary, we would have to do a proper production run with associated costs and lead times.

Yes, that is possible on custom products, subject to minimum order quantities. In addition to printing your logo and messaging, a small, discreet Timestrip® logo will also be placed on the product, due to copyrighting. We proudly co-brand with some of the best and most recognised brands in the world. It is not possible to post-print a logo to an existing stock time or temperature indicator.

Our Timestrip® colourant is red for indicators that monitor days to years, and blue for Timestrips® that monitor minutes to hours.

After squeezing the button flat a line will emerge in the window to show that the Timestrip® is activated. If the activation line is already present before you activate it, then discard that indicator and take another.

A tinted liquid gradually moves through a white viewing window at a pre-calibrated rate. You can read how long the Timestrip® has been active by seeing how far the colour has progressed along the time markers that are printed by the window. When the colour reaches the end of the window, the full time has elapsed and this is the signal to carry out your task or replace a product.nWhen you want to start monitoring elapsed time, activate the Timestrip® by fully squeezing the button between a thumb and finger. An activation line will appear to show that the Timestrip® is working. This line typically appears in a few seconds but can be up to a few minutes in Timestrips® that measure in months and years. Stick the Timestrip® on or near to the product or device it is monitoring and look at it occasionally so you can see when time is up. Dispose of the Timestrip® once the colour has reached the end of the window and activate a new Timestrip® to start monitoring the next product or device.

This depends on how many elements are customised and to what extent. For example, using a stock 3 month Timestrip® as the basic product and changing only the graphic print will be less additional cost than a bespoke shape, graphic and elapsed time. Each project is quoted according to volume, specification and lead time requirements. A one off set-up cost will cover tooling and development and on-going production costs will depend on the complexity of the specification.

Timestrips® are accurate to within +/- 15% depending on the model, provided they are used in line with the stated average temperature. If the product is stored at a higher than intended temperature the colour will advance at a faster rate than expected, and for lower than intended temperatures at a slower rate. For detailed technical information please contact us. Altitude does not affect accuracy.

Yes. Please contact us for the MSDS for further information. In the unlikely event that the liquid leaks from the Timestrip and comes into contact with skin, simply wash with soap and water. If the liquid comes into contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

Yes, and it is a tiny amount and fully encapsulated within the product. Please see our MSDS for further information. In the highly unlikely event that the liquid leaks from the Timestrip® and comes into contact with skin, simply wash with soap and water. If the liquid comes into contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice

Yes. Please contact us for the MSDS for further information. We only use food-grade oils and non-toxic colourants in our formulation. In the unlikely event that the liquid leaks from the indicator and comes into contact with skin, simply wash with soap and water. If the liquid comes into contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

Timestrip® time indicators are patented, single use disposable visual reminder that can be stuck directly onto a product or device. Each Timestrip® acts as a simple visual reminder to replace an expired product or carry out a task, like maintaining a machine or checking results from a test. We have a stock range of products that includes from 30 minutes up to 12 months and many common reminder times in between. Subject to minimum order quantities, Timestrips® can be custom made for any elapsed time period between 5 minutes and 4 years.

The Accepted Failure Rate is based on ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (formally MIL-STD-105E) Level II Normal Inspection. Packs are over shipped by 2-3 units per 100 to cover this AQL.nnCentral to this process are tests against defined specifications for; how quickly the dye progresses through the membrane, environment sensitivity (high heat and vacuum tests to check resilience to harsh conditions during shipping) and also the accuracy of the threshold melting point. A full pack of release reports is provided with each shipment. Further details are available on request.

This depends on the duration of the Timestrip®, but our standard format is 19 x 40mm. Subject to the life of the Timestrip® we also can tool-up to create completely new shapes for you, subject to technical limitations.

This is highly unlikely, but if so, it is likely due to physical force in transit. We ship many of our products in bags, to minimize shipping costs and packaging materials. Discard the indicator and select another. There is no need to contact us, as we ship a few extra free products in every 100 count anyway.

Lead time on custom time indicators please allow 12 weeks from receipt of order, down payment, and sign-off of graphics. There is a lot that goes into making a unique Timestrip® indicator!

If the Timestrip® is not being integrated into the product itself, and is being used as a label, then it is very straightforward. We need to know:

• Duration of the Timestrip® (from 5 minutes to several years) and the temperature environment it will be calibrated for, such as room temperature or refrigerator.

• Graphic concepts, layout and branding guides Adhesive requirements. (What will it be stuck to? Do you need adhesive? Will you use a carrying card? Do you want a key chain?)

• If the Timestrip® is being integrated into the product itself, the first step is for us to look at the actual product or CAD design. We are happy to supply a Non-Disclosure Agreement to maintain confidentiality. We will then propose a feasible design for the Timestrip®.

We have our own design facility so creating the surface graphics, working on design layouts and finalising artwork is all part of the service. We need your logo artwork in a vector file format like .ai or .eps, (not a .jpg or bitmap) and any brand guidelines or draft layouts you can provide. If you need to match production inks to brand colours we can send you a swatch book to specify the closest colour match. You'll be pleased to know we never go to full print and production without clients approving digital proofs first.

Timestrips® can be stored for 3 years after they leave our factory and require no special storage conditions. Some indicators can have much longer shelf-lives, depending on their configuration.

Because we like our customers! You can use these free products for testing, training, validation, or just to save money. In the unlikely case any got damaged along the way or someone just wanted to try one, there is no need to get in touch, although we're always happy to hear from our customers. Personally, we think that all companies should give stuff away for free!

Timestrip® only records the passage of time after it is activated. It can be used as a reminder for you to check quality or fitness of purpose of a good or material but it does not monitor anything other than the progress of time.