Think about the last time you used a medical monitor, tapped a card on a payment terminal, or adjusted the temperature in your car. You were probably using flexible printed electronics without even realising it.
This technology rarely gets talked about, yet it is embedded in more products than most people realise. And here is the thing that often surprises people. A lot of these components are not made cheaply overseas. They are manufactured right here in Australia, often by companies that have been doing it for decades.
What are Flexible Printed Electronics?
Flexible printed electronics use printing processes to create electronic circuits on flexible materials like polyester film. Instead of rigid circuit boards, you get thin, lightweight components that can bend, stretch, and fit into spaces where traditional electronics cannot go.
The manufacturing process is similar to printing a newspaper but with specialised inks that conduct electricity. Silver and carbon-based inks are printed onto flexible substrates, creating circuits that can be as thin as a sheet of paper. This approach additionally uses fewer raw materials, and generates less waste than conventional electronics manufacturing.
Flexible Printed Electronics You Use Every Day
In Your Kitchen and Home
If you have a modern microwave, oven, or coffee machine, you are using flexible printed electronics. The control panels on these appliances are often membrane switches or capacitive touch interfaces, both of which rely on printed circuits.
They’re designed to be sealed against spills and easy to clean, making them ideal for kitchens. The global membrane switch market has been valued at around $13.5 billion AUD in 2025 and is growing, partly driven by a consistent demand for durable, cost-effective interfaces in these consumer appliances.
In Your Car
Modern vehicles are full of flexible printed electronics. Dashboard controls, climate adjustment panels, and steering wheel interfaces often use membrane switches or flexible circuits. With the push toward electric vehicles, manufacturers are looking for lightweight components that add minimal weight while still performing reliably. Printed electronics fit that brief perfectly, making automotive applications a critical growth area.
Beyond the interface, flexible sensors are also being integrated into battery management systems, occupant detection for airbags, and even heated seats, where printed heating elements provide efficient, even warmth without the bulk of traditional wiring.
At the Doctor’s Office
One of the most visible and rapidly growing applications for flexible printed electronics is in medical devices. Flexible sensors are used in patient monitoring systems, wearable health trackers, and diagnostic equipment. The ability to print sensors onto thin, skin-friendly materials has opened up new possibilities for continuous health monitoring without bulky equipment.
Companies are developing flexible patches that can be worn on the skin to monitor chronic conditions like diabetes or to remotely track a patient’s recovery after surgery.
When You Shop or Travel
Flexible printed electronics are also everywhere in retail and logistics. Printed RFID antennas and NFC tags are used for inventory tracking in warehouses, contactless payment terminals, and public transport ticketing systems.
They enable quick scanning without line of sight, which makes them essential for modern supply chains. The contactless card you tap on the bus or the security tag on a product in a store likely relies on a printed antenna.
In Emerging Technologies
Beyond the everyday, flexible printed electronics are enabling technology in ways that might surprise you. Defence and aerospace applications are less visible but significant. Printed antennas, sensors, and control interfaces are used in communication equipment, vehicle systems, and portable devices where durability and low weight are critical. Australia has a strong and growing flexible printed electronics sector, supported by research institutions and government investment, making it a key player in these advanced applications.
For OEMs, the appeal of flexible printed electronics goes beyond the technology itself. Sourcing components locally means shorter lead times, full traceability, and direct support from the people who manufacture your parts.
Consider our Queensland team with over 35 years of experience at Reid Print Technologies for your next manufacturing project with flexible printed electronics.
Follow us on social media to see more industry insights in the world of printed electronics:
