Cracking the Code

Product counterfeiting has been an issue for many years; however, brands are now determined to address the issue head on. Security printing is an increasingly important requirement of all label and packaging production.

October 12, 2020
Bobst Thq
© Bobst

While product counterfeiting has been an issue for many years, brands are now determined to address the issue head on. Security is becoming a crucial part of the packaging process.

The global anti-counterfeit packaging market is expected to generate $38.3 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 9.5% over the period of 2014 – 2020. Further research by the "Global Anti-Counterfeit Packaging by Technology" study from TechSci Research projects that the global anti-counterfeit packaging market will grow at a CAGR of around 13.85%, in value terms, during 2018-2023. 

Food safety and supply chain visibility compliance is another area that demands packaging and label secure identification. These new compliance regulations are designed to verify the authenticity and origin of your raw materials and ingredients, and to effectively, quickly and accurately track and trace your products as they move across a global network of growers and shippers, distributors and manufacturers, and retail outlets both virtual and in-person.

In addition, the new Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress on Nov. 27, 2013, which requires that there is an ability to track and trace all products in the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain. This act also prepares the market for a greater focus on personalized medicines, since the legacy one-size-fits-all methods are starting to show their limits.

Ultimately that means even more need for security in packaging. This is even more relevant as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the population's desire to protect themselves and the explosion of questionable products to answer that desire.

Converters and PSPs Prepare

There has been a proliferation of software that can be used by consumer product and pharmaceutical companies to manage these new compliance regulations, but as a converter or print service provider what tools do you have to prepare you to take on these new customer requirements?

Currently holograms are being used for basic security, and technologies like RFID and NFC have shown promise and can add additional value. Each of these solutions has already started to find the way into the product supply chain. However, these technologies currently require the application of either a pre-manufactured tag or the use of a post-print embellishment technology.

While these technologies have proven to work, there is an additional cost in excess of $.01 per tag in the case of holographic tags not including the application associated with their inclusion on a label or package, and much higher for RFID and NFC.

Interestingly, the common thread in most of the available tools is the ability to image at a high resolution and/or specialty screening technique. Additionally, the use of variable data is a requirement in any track and trace application.

Since flexo is the predominant printing technology used for labels and packaging, the developments in flexo plate screening and print control provide the necessary requisites for counterfeit identification and protection. As an example, the Bobst THQ process, provides "ultra-high" resolution flexo print that supports security printing. As a part of the THQ process they have even created a series of smartphone apps for product validation and control. One of those is the THQ-NanoT for visual control, which provides for validation of almost invisible codes embedded in packaging graphics. 

               

Bobst Thq© Bobst

The system also supports a THQ-R code for consumer control in the form of a specially designed barcode, and THQ-SealS for secure anti-copy technology to help identify counterfeiting. Other flexo plates can also support high resolution and screening techniques including the Kodak Miraclon FLEXCEL.

For track and trace you would probably need to introduce variable data into the printing process. This can be accomplished either by digital imprinting the printed flexo packaging either in line with supplementary inkjet printheads, or directly with a digital press, depending on the run lengths and cost considerations.

Global Graphics introduced "Dynamic Overlays," which is a simplified way to handle variable data. It can combine data from a source file such as a CSV or automatic counters with a PDF background. You can overlay text, JPGs, EPS and barcodes based on that data. This was introduced as a feature in the Harlequin 12 RIP/Renderer, which is used in many production inkjet DFEs. It supports several dozen different barcode symbologies, including QR codes. The barcode sizes can even be automatically snapped to output resolution to maximize readability in addition to advanced inkjet screening.

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Many digital press manufacturers, including both EP and Inkjet presses support security printing natively as well. Xeikon has offered native 1200dpi resolution with variable dot density for years and has been used for the printing of the Belgian government’s tax stamps for years. HP Indigo digital presses have also partnered with many track and trace systems to provide complete solutions to converters and PSPs.

Security printing is an increasingly important requirement of all label and packaging production. The ability to meet those requirements through the variety of available technologies can open the doors to new opportunities for converters and PSPs.

More to Come …

Drupa 2021 is coming, and I would like to address your interests and concerns in future articles as it relates to the manufacturing of print, packaging and labels, and how, if at all, it drives future workflows including "Industry 4.0." If you have any interesting examples of hybrid and bespoke manufacturing, I am very anxious to hear about them as well. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions or examples of interesting applications.