Security anti-counterfeiting label solutions typically combine physical anti-counterfeiting materials + digital identity systems (one-code-per-item/blockchain/NFC) + anti-diversion traceability platforms.
Case Details
Security Labeling Solution
Security anti-counterfeiting labels are a complex system that integrates material science, printing technology, digital cryptography, and process management.
The core goals of security and anti-counterfeiting are divided into three levels from low to high:
1. Difficult to imitate (Deter);
2. Easy to verify;
3. Track&Trace management.
The ultimate solution must provide strong guarantees at all three levels.
The ultimate solution must be based on the following four core pillars:
1. Extremely difficult to replicate: using special materials, inks, and processes that cannot be replicated by ordinary equipment.
2. Multi level Verification: Provides multi-level and convenient verification methods from the public to experts.
3. Unique data: Each identifier is globally unique and bound to a digital identity.
System integration: Integrate with enterprise ERP, MES and other systems to achieve full chain data management.
The following technologies are not mutually exclusive, but are used in combination to build solutions with different security levels.
| Anti counterfeiting level |
Technical category |
Specific technical solution |
Function and Features |
First level:
Public identification
(naked eye/simple tool) |
Visual anti-counterfeiting |
1. Hologram technology:
-Dynamic stereoscopic effect
-Laser Rainbow Color
-Micro Text/Hidden Information
2. Special ink:
-Thermal ink (friction color change)
-OVI (Optical Variable Ink)
-Fluorescent/phosphorescent ink (visible under ultraviolet light)
3. Physical characteristics:
-Relief texture (tactile relief)
-Uncover the bottom (VOID/anti tamper label) |
Purpose: To enable consumers and distributors to quickly and without tools make preliminary authenticity judgments.
Advantages: Intuitive and relatively low cost.
Disadvantage: Easy to be highly imitated. |
Second level:
professional appraisal
(Special equipment) |
Machine reading anti-counterfeiting |
1. Magnetic ink (read by magnetic detector)
2. Infrared/UV characteristic substances (detected by specific spectrometers)
3. Chemical encryption label (triggered by specific reagents for color development)
4. DNA anti-counterfeiting (implantation of specific DNA sequences, requiring laboratory PCR testing) |
Purpose: To provide conclusive and irreplaceable scientific evidence for law enforcement agencies and brand anti-counterfeiting specialists.
Advantages: Extremely high security, difficult to crack.
Disadvantages: Requires specialized equipment and high verification costs. |
Third level:
Digital verification
(Mobile/Platform) |
Digital identity anti-counterfeiting |
1. QR code/barcode:
-Assign a unique identification code to each product
2. Digital Watermarking:
-Hide the information in the pattern and scan the code with your phone to read it
3. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID/NFC):
-Wireless reading, batch reading, repeatable reading and writing
4. Blockchain certification:
-Query records cannot be tampered with, enhancing credibility |
Purpose: To achieve precise one-on-one verification and collect consumer data for interactive marketing.
Advantages: Good verification experience, strong functional scalability, and traceability.
Disadvantage: It is necessary to ensure database security and prevent password leakage. |
Fourth level:
Full chain traceability
(System Platform) |
Process control and anti-counterfeiting |
1. One item, one code+cloud platform:
-Associate data from various stages of production, logistics, warehousing, and sales with unique codes.
-When counterfeit goods or goods are found, the vulnerability can be quickly identified.
2. Big data analysis:
-Monitor abnormal behaviors such as scanning geographic location and frequency, and proactively issue warnings. |
Purpose: To eliminate internal loopholes from the source, manage channels, and achieve refined marketing.
Advantages: Not only anti-counterfeiting, but also a management tool.
Disadvantages: The system implementation is complex and the cost is the highest. |
- Surface layer (visual layer): Customized holographic pattern, containing micro text and brand logo. This area uses optical ink (OVI) to print key information.
- Intermediate layer (digital layer): Variable data QR code, each label's QR code is different. Above the QR code, there is a scratch silver layer (used for marketing activities such as red envelopes and points).
- Bottom layer (control layer): Use VOID material. Once the label is removed, it will leave a clear "VOID" logo or brand image on the packaging, which cannot be transferred or reused.
- Adhesive layer and backing paper: Using high-temperature and chemical resistant permanent adhesive to ensure that the label is firmly attached in various environments.
2. Workflow and Verification Method:
- Public inspection (Level 1): Consumers first see the holographic effect, then touch the relief touch, third rub the temperature change area with their nails (e.g. color disappears), and fourth use their phone flashlight to illuminate hidden text.
- Digital verification (2nd/3rd layer): Consumers scrape off the coating and scan the QR code. The system backend performs the following judgments:
-- First query: Return the "genuine product" information and redirect to the traceability page or marketing activity page.
-- Nth query: Strong prompt: "This code has been queried N times, the first query time was X, beware of counterfeiting! ”
- Professional appraisal (4th layer): In case of disputes, anti-counterfeiting personnel can use ultraviolet lamps to illuminate the labels and display hidden fluorescent patterns, or use specialized spectrometers to detect infrared features for final judgment.
- Brand Manager Management (Layer 4): Brand managers monitor the query time, location, and frequency of each code in real-time through the backend system. If there is a regional anomaly (such as goods produced in location A being queried in a small store in location B) or an abnormal query frequency, the system will automatically sound an alarm, indicating that there may be a concentration of counterfeit goods or counterfeit goods.
3. Integration and Cost:
- This solution integrates holography, special ink VOID、 Multiple technologies such as one item, one code, and digital platforms have extremely high anti-counterfeiting levels.
- The cost can be adjusted as needed, for example, high-end products use all functions, fast-moving consumer goods can omit the professional identification layer, and mainly rely on digital verification.
Action Guide1. Risk and Value Assessment: Analyze the risk level and brand value of counterfeit products. High value and high-risk products (such as pharmaceuticals and luxury goods) must adopt the highest level of integrated solutions.
2. Define the validation group: Identify who needs validation (consumers, store clerks, inspectors) and provide them with corresponding levels of technical means.
3. Choose partners: Security and anti-counterfeiting are system services, not just buying labels. We must choose a supplier who can provide a complete solution from materials, design, coding, printing to software platforms and data services.
4. Confidentiality and security management: The entire production process (especially code generation and printing) must be carried out in a highly confidential and secure environment to prevent collusion between internal and external parties.
5. Consumer education: Educate consumers on how to identify authenticity through advertisements and packaging prompts, and develop the habit of scanning codes for queries. Unverified anti-counterfeiting is invalid.
The ultimate solution for security and anti-counterfeiting is not a 'one size fits all' solution, but rather a 'combination of technologies' strategy. Its core is to
build a three-dimensional protection system that makes counterfeiters "unprofitable, unable to imitate, and nowhere to hide" based on "difficult to replicate physical features", "unique digital identity" as the core, "multi-level verification experience" as the means, and "full chain data traceability" as the background.
