Experts in printed electronics and mass-producers of customized displays based on innovative electrochromic e-paper technology.
We have collected a wide range of articles that delve deeper into various aspects of our printed e-paper displays, including design rules, display driving, and getting started guides to the technology. Check out the latest articles and learn more about our technology.
go to ynvisible universityThe Ynvisible Display is an e-paper technology, a so-called Electrochromic Display ("ECD"), based on organic electrochromic polymers. It is categorized as a reflective display - meaning that it reflects ambient light instead of using a backlight. The displays are screen-printed on a plastic substrate, which makes the displays very thin and flexible.
Read more about what is an electrochromic display
Ynvisible's e-paper displays have the lowest energy consumption on the market for most use-cases. For static usage (when the display maintains the same image) the display consumes a maximum of 0,28µW per cm2 segment area. For dynamic usage, the power consumption depends on the number of display updates per day according to the formula below.
Ynvisible is the world leader in Sheet-to-Sheet and Roll-to-Roll production of electrochromic technology. These high volume production methods, in addition to cost-effective materials sourcing, drive down the cost of individual displays while maintaining high production yield, rapid through-put speed, and premium quality. Choosing Ynvisible’s display technology will reduce cost at both the component level and the system level.
Ynvisible offers a low-cost alternative to reflective segmented LCDs, which have historically been the most inexpensive display technology on the market. The key driver for the low price point is low-cost production techniques with high volume capabilities
The screen-printing techniques used in our production lines require less capital investment, energy, tooling costs, and material waste compared to vacuum deposition and chemical vapor deposition processes used for other display technologies.
The displays are produced on inexpensive PET substrates, and the rapid growth of the printed electronics industry has resulted in an economy of scale for the functional inks that are used to produce the displays.
Using an ultra-low power consumption display which is easy to integrate with no or little extra driver electronics will save cost on a system level. Many of our clients have been able to reduce or completely remove their existing power supply by choosing our Segmented displays.
Ynvisible rarely creates standard display components. Our philosophy is that each product requires a unique display for an ultimate user experience.
The printability of the displays ensures that customers can attain a degree of customization that is not available from alternative display technologies. This creates an attractive appearance that is highly appreciated by both product designers and end-users.
Display segments can be designed in essentially any shape and form. Letters, symbols, numbers, and graphics elements are all possible.
Color filters and other static graphic elements can easily be printed on top of the display. The graphic overlay is commonly used to add graphics that should always be visible and complement the dynamic display segments.
Most conventional displays are bulky rectangle shapes. This is not the case for Ynvisible Displays. Essentially any cut-out shape is possible, whatever fits your product the best.
The displays have a wide operating range and are very durable to heating or cooling chocks. Since they are printed on a plastic substrate they are very durable in terms of physical impact, bending, and piercing. They will not break, crack, or shatter like conventional glass-based displays.
Eco-friendly and non-toxic display alternative thanks to energy-efficient production processes, organic materials, and overall low material usage. Ynvisible's displays are an ideal choice for single-use and disposable products.
Ynvisible was founded in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2010 with the strong ambition and vision to turn static print into interactive surfaces using innovative electrochromic technology. Today, Ynvisible has offices in Canada, Portugal, Sweden, and Germany, and is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Board, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and OTCQB USA Stock Exchange.
Ynvisible is disrupting the low-cost and ultra-low-power display industry thanks to the latest advantages in sustainable electronics and roll-to-roll printing production. Ynvisible’s printed e-paper displays are ideal for low-power and cost-sensitive applications, such as digital signage, smart monitoring label, authenticity and security, and retail labels and signage.
Ynvisible has the experience, know-how, and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems, and offers a mix of services, materials, and technology to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products.
E-paper, or electronic paper, is an ultra low power, reflective display technology. There are different e-paper technologies, such as electrochromic, electrophoretic, and electrowetting.
Ynvisible is developing and manufacturing an electrochromic e-paper display technology using sheet-to-sheet and roll-to-roll printed electronics manufacturing processes. Printing means highly scalable, low-cost, and customizable. Ynvisible's e-paper displays are mainly so-called segmented displays and are suitable for basic human-machine interfaces, such as digits, icons, and indicators, and are replacing other expensive and power-hungry display technologies.
Read more about Ynvisible's segment display technology.
The top 5 reasons why our clients chose Ynvisible’s displays are:
Read more here: https://www.ynvisible.com/news-inspiration/5-reasons-to-use-electrochromic-e-paper-displays
Displays from Ynvisible can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from luxury products to single-use devices. The displays are extremely versatile in terms of design freedom, form factor, and usage scenarios.
Most common applications include medical devices, smart packages and containers, logistics- and cold chain monitoring devices, consumer electronics, smart cards and smart labels, wearable devices and patches, and fast-moving consumer goods.
Read more about our solutions in Digital Signage, Smart Monitoring Labels, Authenticity & Security, and Retail Labels and Signage.
No. The Ynvisible display and E Ink display both belong to the e-paper display family, but are fundamentally different technologies. They both share the same principle of being reflective display technologies, ultra-low power, and mimics the appearance of ink on paper. Displays from E Ink are electrophoretic technology while Ynvisible’s displays are based on organic electrochromic materials. Ynvisible's main focus is segmented displays, whereas E ink is mainly offering pixel displays.
Ynvisible's displays have the lowest power consumption on the market for many use-cases. For static usage (when the display maintains the same image) the display consumes a maximum of 1,73µW per cm2 segment area. For dynamic usage, the power consumption depends on the number of display updates per day according to the formula below.
P = 1,67 + 0,01 × n µW/cm2
n is the number of full display updates per day
One square centimeter active display area requires approximately 1 mJ to activate.
Read more about power consumption and driving scenarios.
The recommended operating voltage for Ynvisible's standard e-paper displays is ±1.5V.
Ynvisible’s technology is very simple to drive. This is one of the key differentiators to other e-paper technologies. The GPIOs in most MCUs can drive the displays with a minimal requirement of additional components. Apply a positive voltage across the display segment to turn on and short circuit, or apply a negative voltage to turn off. The voltage should only be applied when the display switches or is being refreshed.
Read all about display driving here: https://www.ynvisible.com/news-inspiration/how-to-drive-ynvisible-e-paper-display
No. Our main focus is segmented displays, suitable for digits, icon, symbols, or other basic human-machine interfaces for intuitive visual feedback.
Yes, in this article, you'll find everything you need to know when making a custom display.
The refresh speed, or update speed, will vary depending on the size of the display segment. Large display segments are slower than small display segments. Approximately 250 milliseconds are required to activate a 4mm2 display segment using a 1.5V drive protocol.
Our displays are available in multiple colors, but they are monochrome since the colors needs to be pre-defined. We can not do full color displays, such as RGB or CMY displays, but it is possible to make multiple colors in the same display in a side-by-side arrangement.
We offer displays in a wide range of colors and can customize tones to match your brand. Our standard colors are Grey, Red, Green, Magenta and Yellow. The grey color offers the best readability. Read more about color options.
Not fully bistable displays, we call them semi-bistable.
The standard displays have a retention time of approximately 1 minute to 15 minutes before a small refresh pulse is required. However, we can optimize the displays for shorter or longer image memory time with small modifications to the devices. In this way, we can achieve retention times ranging from a few seconds up to a few days.
We recommend either FPC/FFC connectors, Anisotropic Conductive Films (ACF), or conductive glue.
The contrast ratio is normally ≥ 1:3.
Ynvisible’s displays are more similar to printed graphics rather than conventional electronics displays. Color Difference (ΔE) is a more suitable metric to express the difference between the display segment in the off/neutral state and the on/activated state. The Color Difference value will change depending on the specific display color, however, our most common Gray<>Blue display has a typical Color Difference value (ΔE) of 30.
Electrochromic displays from Ynvisible are based screen-printable electrochromic polymers. The term ‘Electrochromism’ refers to the phenomenon whereby a material undergoes a physical color change in response to an electrical stimulus. Electrochromic displays are produced by printing thin layers of these materials with high-performance electrolytes into a flexible ‘electrochromic stack’. When a voltage is applied to the electrochromic material in the presence of the electrolyte, it undergoes chemical oxidation and reduction. These processes are associated with a color change which can be finely tuned. The final displays are as thin as 200 µm and flexible enough to curve around a pencil.
Read more here: https://www.ynvisible.com/news-inspiration/what-is-an-electrochromic-display
Yes, but these devices are not yet mass-producible. Ynvisible’s main focus is direct-driven segmented displays.
Ynvisible has the experience, know-how, and intellectual property in printed electronics, electrochromic materials, inks, and systems, and offers a mix of services, materials, and technology.
Ynvisible offers its services throughout the entire process; from R&D projects and the prototyping phase, to mass production printed electrochromic displays and product soutions.
Yes, we sell kits in our online store that are developed to get started in minutes.
We recommend the Segment Display Kit
Yes, making custom-designed displays, tailored to specific clients and use-cases is our core business. We rarely make generic standard displays since our experience is that each client requires a unique solution. We have a standardized fixed-fee offer to make custom-designed prototypes. Read more about custom-designed prototypes.
Yes, we have a team of experienced electronics engineers and product developers that work closely with our design team to develop full electronic solutions. Contact us to discuss your product needs.
Yes, we have both roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet printed electronics production lines. Read more about our Roll-to-roll contract manufacturing services.
One technological innovation retailers have at their disposal to stay competitive is the use of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) with e-paper displays.
Visit