A sterilization indicator , comprising: a base element formed from a thermally conductive material having a length and a width, the base element having a recess formed therein extending along a longitudinal centerline thereof, the recess formed within the base material less than the length and the width of the base material; a first adhesive layer disposed on the base element; an indicator chemical composition deposited in the recess; a wicking element positioned at least in part in contact with the indicator chemical composition and positioned at least in part within the recess, the wicking element extending less than the length and width of the base element, ; a film layer positioned over the base element, the wicking element and the indicator chemical composition; a paper layer disposed over the film layer; a second adhesive layer disposed between the paper layer and the film layer, wherein the paper layer and the second adhesive layer include a window therein; and an acceptance marker , wherein the indicator is configured to indicate that an acceptable level of sterilization has occurred when the indicator chemical composition wicks along the wicking element to a location beyond the acceptance marker after a sterilization process, characterized in that , the wicking element has a first zone , a second zone , and a third zone , wherein a width of the first zone is less than a width of the third zone, wherein the second zone is arranged between the first zone and the third zone and has a width that increases from the width of the first zone to the width of the third zone, wherein a wicking rate across the first zone is greater than a wicking rate across the third zone. a base element formed from a thermally conductive material having a length and a width, the base element having a recess formed therein extending along a longitudinal centerline thereof, the recess formed within the base material less than the length and the width of the base material; a first adhesive layer disposed on the base element; an indicator chemical composition deposited in the recess; a wicking element positioned at least in part in contact with the indicator chemical composition and positioned at least in part within the recess, the wicking element extending less than the length and width of the base element, ; a film layer positioned over the base element, the wicking element and the indicator chemical composition; a paper layer disposed over the film layer; a second adhesive layer disposed between the paper layer and the film layer, wherein the paper layer and the second adhesive layer include a window therein; and an acceptance marker , wherein the indicator is configured to indicate that an acceptable level of sterilization has occurred when the indicator chemical composition wicks along the wicking element to a location beyond the acceptance marker after a sterilization process, characterized in that , the wicking element has a first zone , a second zone , and a third zone , wherein a width of the first zone is less than a width of the third zone, wherein the second zone is arranged between the first zone and the third zone and has a width that increases from the width of the first zone to the width of the third zone, wherein a wicking rate across the first zone is greater than a wicking rate across the third zone. <EOS>