The standard method of producing such devices, which is used by ATI, is to produce a coating (ink) containing preferably a microencapsulated Thermochomic Liquid Crystal (TLC) mixture and use a printing method to apply it to the supporting substrate. A black ink is then applied on top of the dry TLC coating and color change effects are viewed from the reverse (uncoated) side of the sheet. Liquid crystal thermometers/temperature indicators are usually comprised of a series of liquid crystal 'events', which change color in a sequence as the temperature changes. Behind or adjacent to each number (temperature) on the TLC thermometers is an 'active' area coated with a precisely calibrated TLC mixture designed to change color at the temperature in question.

      For a given temperature event, a green color shows the exact temperature, a blue color shows the actual temperature is higher than indicated and a tan/brown color shows the actual temperature is lower than indicated. If two consecutive events show colors simultaneously, one blue(the lower temperature of the two) and the other tan, the correct temperature is between the two. No two events should ever show green at the same time (temperature).