Chromatic Technologies
Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) is a privately held Colorado Springs specialty ink manufacturer founded in 1993, producing thermochromic, photochromic, glow-in-the-dark, and hydrochromic inks plus BlindSpotz printable sensors for global CPG, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers across 55 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersColorado Springs, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Chromatic Technologies does
Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) is a Colorado Springs-based specialty ink manufacturer founded in 1993 by Lyle Small, focused on color-changing and stimuli-responsive ink chemistries including thermochromic (temperature-activated), photochromic (sunlight-activated), glow-in-the-dark, hydrochromic (water/moisture-activated), and hybrid ink systems. The company's core technology rests on proprietary microencapsulation and particle-size engineering — most notably its High Velocity Ink (HVI) platform — that enables these reactive chemistries to be delivered through standard commercial printing processes such as UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent and Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco. CTI operates an ISO 9001/2015 certified production facility and exports to 55 countries, serving Consumer Packaged Goods brands (Coca-Cola, Coors, Anheuser-Busch, Heineken, Monster Energy, Smirnoff, Frito-Lay, Treasury Wines), pharmaceutical and medical device customers through its patented BlindSpotz printable sensor line (freeze, thaw, warming, tamper, and HPP indicators), and industrial security applications. The company's sub-brands — BlindSpotz, PowerCapsules, and SafeInject — extend the chemistry into plastic masterbatch and cold-chain monitoring use cases.
CTI monetizes through four primary revenue streams: direct sales of specialty ink products priced via quote-based minimum 4-lb orders, licensing of BlindSpotz patents and trademarks for specific products and quantities, technical-support and on-site first-run engineering services bundled with initial deployments, and custom innovation/R&D engagements run as a joint incubator with INX International. Distribution combines direct-from-manufacturer shipments via FedEx with channel partnerships — most importantly the 2014 global cooperation agreement with INX International Ink Co., the third-largest ink producer in North America — supplemented by regional resellers such as Envases Universales in Mexico. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and consultative, with CTI's team supporting brand and converter customers through a discovery, development, ramp-up and rollout lifecycle to qualify inks into specific print lines and brand-owner packaging specifications.
Strategically, CTI has pivoted from a single-vertical CPG novelty supplier (anchored historically by the Coors Light color-changing mountains feature launched in 2002) into a multi-vertical specialty chemistry platform spanning beverage, food processing, pharmaceutical cold chain, and medical device sterilization. The COVID-19 vaccine response — including donated thaw-alert sensors for the first 100 million doses and the development of BPA/BPF/BPS-free formulations for pharmaceutical packaging — marked the company's most significant vertical expansion. With 51–100 employees, no disclosed outside funding, and founder/CEO Lyle Small retaining operational control, CTI remains a privately held, founder-led specialty materials business.
Chromatic Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chromatic Technologies
- Legal name
- Chromatic Technologies Inc.
- Website
- https://ctiinks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) is a privately held Colorado Springs specialty ink manufacturer founded in 1993, producing thermochromic, photochromic, glow-in-the-dark, and hydrochromic inks plus BlindSpotz printable sensors for global CPG, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers across 55 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chromatic Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Inks and Printable Sensors
- NAICS
- Printing Ink Manufacturing (325910), Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging Inks (IMAEAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Color Masterbatches & Dispersions (IMAEAHAK), Security, Tamper-Evident & Track-and-Trace Printing (IMALAKAJ), Label Stock, Inks, Coatings & Laminates (Materials Supply) (IMALAKAL)
Keywords
Where Chromatic Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colorado Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chromatic Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Specialty Ink Product Sales: Direct sales of thermochromic, photochromic, glow-in-the-dark, and other color-changing ink technologies. Products sold in various formats including UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent/Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco. Minimum order of 4 lbs (2 kilos) with 15 business day standard lead time.
- Licensed Technology (BlindSpotz™): License fees for use of BlindSpotz technology including HPP, Freeze, Thaw, Warming and Tamper Indicators. Licensees receive rights to use patents, trademarks and intellectual property for specific products and quantities listed on purchase orders.
- Technical Support Services: Technical assistance provided worldwide when printing the first run to ensure expected results are achieved. Custom ink development and R&D services available for unique requirements.
- Custom Innovation Services: Innovation incubator services offering access to proprietary consumer research, design services, and ideation for pipeline development for select customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Ink Products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Chromatic Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CTI manufactures and sells specialty color-changing encapsulated inks (thermochromic, photochromic, glow-in-the-dark, hydrochromic, hybrid) and the BlindSpotz family of printable sensors for cold chain monitoring, tamper evidence, and authentication. Products are delivered through commercial printing formats including UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent and Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco, plus PowerCapsules thermochromic masterbatch for plastics. Customers include consumer packaged goods brands, pharmaceutical/medical companies, industrial manufacturers, and printing converters in 55 countries worldwide.
Product overview
CTI (Chromatic Technologies Inc.) is a specialty ink company offering a portfolio of color-changing ink technologies and related products. The core offerings include thermochromic inks (temperature-activated), photochromic inks (sunlight-activated), glow-in-the-dark inks, hydrochromic inks (water-activated), security/anti-tampering inks, and hybrid inks. These are available in multiple printing formats including UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent & Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco. CTI also offers PowerCapsules thermochromic masterbatch for plastics applications and High Velocity Inks (HVI) for high-speed printing. The BlindSpotz product line provides specialized sensors for pharmaceutical cold chain monitoring including Freeze Alert, Heat Alert, Thaw Alert, Warming Alert, HPP Indicator, and Tamper Alert. Additional services include custom ink development and technical support. CTI serves consumer packaged goods, healthcare, and industrial markets with products used on cans, bottles, labels, cups, and plastic substrates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BlindSpotz: Patented portfolio of printable sensors for detecting freezing, thawing, gradual warming, tampering and authentication - used in pharmaceutical, medical and food applications
- PowerCapsules
- SafeInject
Products and services
- Thermochromic Inks Temperature-activated inks that change color when exposed to heat or cold, available in UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent and Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco formats for brand packaging, beverage cans, and labels.
- Photochromic Inks Sunlight-activated inks that go from almost clear to a target color when exposed to sunlight or UV light at 365-nanometer wavelengths, used for outdoor and seasonal promotional packaging.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Inks Phosphorescent inks for special effects on secondary packaging, point-of-sale displays and seasonal products; available in Metal Deco, UV Flexo, UV Screen, UV Wet and Dry Offset, High Speed Solvent, and Water-Based Flexo and Gravure.
- Hydrochromic Inks Solvent-ink Flexo and Gravure technology that changes color when exposed to water or moisture, used for wetness indicators in baby and adult diapers and similar applications.
- Security and Anti-Tampering Inks Inks that protect companies' intellectual property, including touch-activated thermochromic ink and fluorescing ink designed for authentication, anti-counterfeiting and tamper evidence.
- BPA/BPF/BPS-Free Thermochromic Inks Thermochromic inks formulated without Bisphenol A, F or S to meet stringent pharmaceutical and food-contact regulatory standards, validated through a 21-step quality checklist.
- PowerCapsules Thermochromic Masterbatch Thermochromic color concentrate pellets for plastic colorant resins, qualified in polypropylene, HDPE, polystyrene and polyethylene applications for QSR utensils, soda closures, ice cream spoons, baby bath toys, and coffee lids.
- High Velocity Inks (HVI) Proprietary ink delivery system with smaller particle size that enables higher print speeds, less waste and better yields; one pound of HVI ink prints more cans with the same artwork.
- Thermochromic Tabs for Can Lids Patent-pending thermochromic tabs for beverage can pull tabs in red, green or blue colors that provide a cold-temperature guarantee beyond sidewall decoration.
- BlindSpotz Printable Sensors (Freeze, Thaw, Heat, Warming, Tamper, HPP Indicators) Patented portfolio of printable sensors that detect freezing, thawing, gradual warming, tampering, authentication, HPP processing, and insulin temperature readiness for pharmaceutical, medical, industrial and food sectors.
- Custom Ink Development and Technical Support Services Custom ink and color development based on customer requirements and worldwide on-site technical assistance during first production runs, delivered through a discovery, development, ramp-up and rollout engagement model.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% purchase intent (top 2 box) for loyal consumers when tested with photochromic sunlight-activated ink features.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Chromatic Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Chromatic Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
Chromatic Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.
- EncisionnotableCTI worked closely with Encision for nearly two years to develop a unique application of BlindSpotz Heat Indicator technology for Encision's AEM Scissors - a limited-use surgical device. CTI's chemistry was adapted to work on metal rods, changing color to indicate when the device needs replacement after multiple sterilization cycles.
- Multiple Pharmaceutical CompaniescoreCTI partnered with multiple pharmaceutical companies testing BlindSpotz™ printable sensors for COVID-19 vaccine temperature monitoring and protection of critical medical supply chains.
- American Thermal Instruments (ATI)corePartnership to bring on-pack freeze indicator labels to market. BlindSpotz™ technology combined with ATI's expertise provides economical freeze alert for cold-chain products in food, industrial, and medical sectors.
- Envases UniversalesminorRegional distribution partner for thermochromic technology for crowns and closures in Mexico. Available through their multi-lingual website.
- INX International Ink Co.coreGlobal operating agreement between INX International Ink Co. (third-largest ink producer in North America) and CTI. The partnership combines INX's global reach in can and packaging inks with CTI's color-changing technology expertise. Jointly offers innovation incubator services for select customers including consumer research, design services, and ideation for pipeline development. Covers beverage, dairy, security, children's products, food safety, and consumer package goods industries.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chromatic Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Flint Group: Global supplier of inks and coatings for packaging and print. Overlaps with CTI in flexo, offset, and gravure packaging inks and could extend into specialty color-changing offerings to defend key CPG accounts.
- Siegwerk: Global packaging ink manufacturer specializing in sustainable and functional ink solutions. Competes with CTI in labels and flexible packaging and shares the same regulatory-driven pivot toward BPA-free and recyclable chemistries.
- Sun Chemical: World's largest printing inks and pigments manufacturer. Serves the same packaging, label, and commercial print customers as CTI and could internalize or bundle specialty color-change chemistries, making it both an incumbent threat and a potential acquirer profile.
- Sakata INX: Japanese-headquartered global ink and coatings manufacturer serving packaging, label, and commercial print. Competes broadly with CTI across multiple printing formats and geographies.
Direct peers
- LCR Hallcrest: Direct competitor in thermochromic and color-changing inks for security, packaging, and novelty applications. Closely comparable product line (microencapsulated thermochromic inks, temperature indicators) and similar customer profile.
- Temptime (Zebra Technologies): Now part of Zebra Technologies; a leading supplier of time-temperature indicators and cold-chain monitoring labels. Directly competes with CTI's BlindSpotz™ Freeze/Heat/Thaw Alerts in pharmaceutical and food cold-chain applications.
- INX International Ink Co. Third-largest ink producer in North America and CTI's primary global cooperation partner. Overlaps directly in can and packaging inks; competes for can-deco and label accounts while simultaneously distributing CTI's specialty chemistries through its own channels.
- American Thermal Instruments (ATI): Manufacturer of on-pack temperature, time, and humidity indicators. Strategic partner of CTI on BlindSpotz freeze-alert labels and a direct competitor in cold-chain printable indicators for food, pharma, and industrial markets.
Emerging players
- H.W. Sands Corp. Specialty ink and security inks manufacturer focused on brand protection and authentication. Adjacent competitor to CTI's security/anti-tampering inks and a potential emerging threat in anti-counterfeiting.
- NanoMatriX International: Specialist in security inks, taggants, and brand-protection printing technologies. Comparable to CTI's security/anti-tampering product line and overlapping in pharmaceutical, currency, and high-value-document authentication.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Chromatic Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceChromatic Technologies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Chromatic Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chromatic Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Chromatic Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chromatic Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chromatic Technologies
What does Chromatic Technologies do?
CTI manufactures and sells specialty color-changing encapsulated inks (thermochromic, photochromic, glow-in-the-dark, hydrochromic, hybrid) and the BlindSpotz family of printable sensors for cold chain monitoring, tamper evidence, and authentication. Products are delivered through commercial printing formats including UV Flexo, Offset, Solvent and Water-Based Flexo, Screen, and Metal Deco, plus PowerCapsules thermochromic masterbatch for plastics. Customers include consumer packaged goods brands, pharmaceutical/medical companies, industrial manufacturers, and printing converters in 55 countries worldwide.
Is Chromatic Technologies a public or private company?
Chromatic Technologies is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Chromatic Technologies founded?
Chromatic Technologies was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Chromatic Technologies based?
Chromatic Technologies is headquartered in Colorado Springs, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chromatic Technologies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Specialty Ink Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensed Technology (BlindSpotz™), technical Support Services and custom Innovation Services.
Who are Chromatic Technologies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Flint Group, Siegwerk, Sun Chemical and Sakata INX. Direct peers are LCR Hallcrest, Temptime (Zebra Technologies), INX International Ink Co. and American Thermal Instruments (ATI). Emerging players are H.W. Sands Corp. and NanoMatriX International.
Does Chromatic Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chromatic Technologies.
What industry is Chromatic Technologies in?
Chromatic Technologies's product category is Specialty Inks and Printable Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAHAH, Packaging Inks, with a secondary code of IMAEAHAK, Color Masterbatches & Dispersions. Its NAICS code is 325910 and its SIC code is 2851.