Security Printing Techniques

$1 Trillion of world trade is counterfeit, causing various problems in almost every industry.  Counterfeits get to consumers in many different ways, often with fraudulent packaging and labeling.

At Flexo-Graphics we use our security labeling expertise for:

• Brand Protection
• Product Authenticity
• Deterrence of Parallel Imports
• Positive Identification for Reverse Logistics
• Health & Safety Liability Protection

Our low cost security printing solutions allow you to protect your revenues and profits without a heavy investment in technology.  We help you match your authentication expenditures to the value of the assets you are trying to protect. 

We offer two basic groups of technology families:

Overt:  Visible to the human eye without tools (Example: Holograms)

Covert/Forensic:  Requires detectors, readers or other tools (Example: Invisible Inks)

Please allow us to develop solutions which insure your customers get genuine products using a combination of both overt and covert security printing techniques.

Overt Techniques Such as Security Holograms

Overt security technologies offer several advantages:

• Used as a visible part of design and appearance
• Easily detectable and apparent with little training
• No detection device necessary
• Shows counterfeiters that you are looking to protect your products

Flexo-Graphics can provide virtually any type of hologram on a label along with additional types of security inks.  We can manufacture hologram strips along the edges of a label or design an overall hologram pattern and then selectively print on the holographic pattern.

Other types of overt techniques can be utilized using unique inks and specialty materials.

The consensus among security experts is that no "Silver Bullet" security solution exists.  A recent report issued by the FDA indicates that there is no single solution that can, or should, be employed to protect the US drug supply from counterfeiting. This applies to all authentification technologies.

Covert Techniques Using an Array of Ink Technologies

We have the ability to add unique inks and codes to every label or package. This is done using a variety of inks, printing processes and alpha/numeric serialization.  Serialization is used in conjunction with Flexo-Graphics' capabilities:

• Rotary Screen
• Flexo
• Foil Stamping

So we can combine a wide range of security features and also add a unique incremental code on every product.  Our overt ink technologies (printing) include the following:

• IR invisible inks - visible when viewed under infra-red light
• UV invisible ink  - visible when viewed under ultra-violet light
• Optically variable ink - changes color based on viewing angle
• Thermo chromic - changes color with temperature change
• Photo chromic - invisible until exposed to sunlight
• Erasable ink - disappears when an attempt to alter is made
• Micro printing - text and graphics only visible under magnification
• Magnetic ink - detected by electronic scanning equipment
• Chemical reactive - color indication with exposure to paired chemical

Also available are micro-taggants which can be applied during the printing process.  These micro taggants can then be detected by unique readers - which allows for pass/fail detection.

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Security Materials

As opposed to special inks, or in combination with, Flexo-Graphics offers several types of security and tamper evident label stocks.  Some examples include:

• Security papers with UV fibers
• Holographic label stocks
• Label stock with void patterns
• Tamper evident materials
• Tamper destruct materials
• Permanent mask labels
• Sub-surface printed labels
• Checkerboard polyester

Ribbons:  Other forms of security printing include thermal transfer holgram ribbons and covert red UV fluorescense. 

Water marks:  Many different types of printed water mark solutions are available as well. 

Please contact your Flexo-Graphic sales representative for more information on securty materials and other types of unique overt and covert identification solutions.  It's good business!