Fabrication of Paper Microfluidic Chips via Wax Soft Lithography

Paper-based microfluidic devices (μPADs) have attracted significant attention for point-of-care testing (POCT), environmental monitoring, and food safety due to their low cost, ease of use, and minimal instrument dependence. However, fabricating high-resolution and reproducible microchannels on paper remains challenging. Conventional methods such as wax printing, photolithography, and inkjet printing are limited by resolution or equipment cost. Here, we present a low-cost, high-resolution fabrication method for μPADs, termed wax soft lithography, which combines wax printing with soft lithography. Through this method, microchannels with a minimum width of 234 ± 62 μm were consistently produced, and complex patterns were successfully fabricated, demonstrating high precision and reproducibility. As a proof-of-concept demonstration of device functionality, the fabricated μPADs were used to detect glucose in spiked urine samples, showing a concentration-dependent colorimetric response. This method provides an effective route for rapid production of high-resolution μPADs in resource-limited settings. With further validation before practical applications, this method shows promise for future development in POCT.