by Cassandra Balentine
Security is a growing concern on a global level. Brand protection solutions achieved through digital print and finishing capabilities assist brand owners in preventing revenue loss and maintaining their reputation.
Above: HP Indigo presses support security printing for brands with UV inks, accurate printing, Taggant inks, microtext, and a variety of integrated security partners.
There are many elements of security printing, including both covert and overt options designed to thwart counterfeiting and tampering, ensure user and product authentication, and tools for safeguarding sensitive data.
“From our observations, leading brands typically require stringent, comprehensive track-and-trace solutions, investing in customized, closed-loop systems tailored to their specific needs to ensure the uniqueness of their marks cannot be replicated,” says Suzi Hagay, director of workflow solutions, Landa Digital Printing.
Additionally, traditional anti-counterfeit marks such as microtext, watermarks, and hidden dots offer a layer of security. “As the world shifts towards digital printing there is an increasing use of anti-counterfeit marks with variable codes. Brand protection companies are developing the ability to generate these variable codes for both track-and-trace and authentication purposes,” adds Hagay.
Holograms are also used in packaging as a deterrent against counterfeiting. “Traditionally, they’ve appeared on rigid, boxed products. However, the trend to include holograms on flexible packaging continues to grow. Holograms are typically standalone decals—either embedded into a substrate or affixed with permanent adhesive. Their effectiveness lies in how difficult they are to replicate. However, one major drawback is that decals can be removed and reused on counterfeit items,” shares Jeff Leto, VP of sales, NBi FlexPack.
Dan Lieberman, CEO, Nanografix Corporation, points out that each security feature has to be unique and smartphone applications must be able to decipher encrypted optical information that is hidden in either holograms or other optical structures where the information is unique for each security feature.
Anti-Counterfeiting/Tampering
The demand for advanced anti-counterfeiting and authentication solutions has driven significant innovation in security printing, with key trends emerging in multi-layered security features like digital watermarks, invisible inks, and quick response (QR) codes, which Matthew Raab, director of global portfolio marketing, Xerox Corporation, says make counterfeiting more difficult.
“Xerox combines these technologies with specialty imaging solutions, such as MicroText Mark, GlossMark, and Infrared Mark, which provide both covert and overt security elements that are challenging to replicate. These innovations enable businesses to integrate customized security features—such as holographic printing and invisible text—into both static and variable data jobs, ensuring that each document is uniquely protected and reducing the risk of duplication,” says Raab.
Features like UV fluorescing inks offer a powerful layer of invisible security—revealing their presence only under ultraviolet light. This makes them an ideal solution for combating counterfeiting and fraud, while also enhancing the authenticity and trustworthiness of printed materials. Beyond security, these inks enable precise tracking, tracing, and verification across logistics and supply chain documents, adding both protection and intelligence to every print.
“Incorporating advanced security features digitally, especially those that integrate into existing workflows without added complexity, reflects Canon’s commitment to innovation in secure document printing,” comments Katsuhiro “Jerry” Matsufuji, VP, digital printing products & solutions, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Our partnership with Arcis Solutions exemplifies this by embedding hidden security patterns directly into full-color images, visible only upon photocopy, providing an effective countermeasure against counterfeiting.”
Komori’s primary area of security printing is with presses that it makes for the banknote and passport printing markets. These are large scale, non-digital presses that are used to print highly secure government-issued products. In this market, the use of secure substrates, inks, and features such as foils and threads is mature, with innovation being evolutionary rather than revolutionary. “We see this as a prime area where digital technology can offer something new to this market—not only for banknotes and passports, but other securely printed documents—driving licenses, visas, certificates, vouchers, tickets, tax stamps, etc.,” says Steve Craig, group general manager and operating officer, Security Press Business Group, Komori Corporation.
In fact, Komori issued an in-house banknote, which for the first time included features printed on its digital presses—a digitally printed serial number; a series of unique origami birds, in which every note had a different variation; and these unique variations were linked to the serial number, giving two unique features on every document; and a digital invisible screen that can only be read using a smartphone application (app), and which verifies the unique serial number and phoenix design combination.
For applications like tax stamp printing, Jeroen Van Bauwel, director solution design, Xeikon, estimates that some companies have spent considerable resources on the development of new features that can be enabled via digital printing in recent years, like the generation of unique designs and hidden variable codes.
In the past, holograms used in applications like flexible packaging were primarily for visual appeal, achieved through repeating patterns manufactured into the film itself. These designs could be easily duplicated by sourcing the same film. Plus, because the hologram extended throughout the entire package it often creates a loud psychedelic effect that isn’t always desirable. “NBi FlexPack’s eBeam cast and cure changes that. It allows brands to place holograms only where they want them—adding visual impact and security without overwhelming the design,” notes Leto.
The rise of mobile authentication, QR codes, and serialization also transform how users and authorities verify products. “Track and trace and supply chain visibility systems become standard in tax stamps and pharmaceuticals. Variable data printing enables unique IDs and digital twins, linking physical items to blockchain or secure databases,” offers Van Bauwel.
Some of the latest trends and advancements that Tamir Hativa, head of security printing, HP Indigo, sees in relation to security printing for anti-counterfeiting/tampering engage consumers using different methods such as gaming interactions to authenticate products as well using their mobile phone to provide them with additional product information such as the digital product passport.
Van Bauwel says multi-layered security combines overt and covert elements. “The traditional ‘one-feature’ approach is no longer sufficient. Brands and governments adopt multi-layered security strategies to stay ahead of counterfeiters.”
When considering an enterprise setting, Ravi Koul, senior director, product marketing office technology and Mark DeSarno, director security and compliance engineering, Kyocera, point out that Kyocera multifunction printers have implemented sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures that are activated when legal currency, checks, or sensitive documents are scanned or copied. “These security features ensure that attempts to duplicate such documents will result in an error or limit the reproduction to B&W prints only. This functionality serves to deter unauthorized duplication and helps maintain the integrity of critical documents.”
Authentication
By leveraging cutting-edge digital printing technology such as those discussed above, it is easier for businesses to authenticate documents and create highly secure, counterfeit-resistant materials.
Hativa feels that digital authentication is the most important trend, which takes away the need for training inspectors and border police and letting a well-defined algorithm verify a product or a document. “This can be in addition to physical or conventional authentication.”
“One of the fastest growing trends is the use of unique, item-level identifiers—serialized QR codes, barcodes, or alphanumeric strings enable secure verification at every stage of the supply chain,” says Van Bauwel.
Smartphone-based authentication and digitally embedded watermarks are also utilized.
“With global smartphone penetration, end users are now part of the authentication chain,” shares Van Bauwel.
He points out that integration with mobile apps also enable geolocation, usage tracking, and consumer engagement analytics.
Digitally embedded watermarks can be verified using specialized readers or apps but are nearly impossible to detect or reproduce by counterfeiters.
“Authentication in security printing is no longer about proving something is real—it’s about making it uniquely identifiable, verifiable, and traceable in real time. Technologies like digital serialization, smartphone scanning, and invisible codes, are transforming authentication into a dynamic, data-rich ecosystem,” shares Van Bauwel.
Leiberman stresses that when it comes to authentication, each security feature has to be unique and smartphone apps need to be able to decipher encrypted optical information hidden in either holograms or other optical structures.
Increased Demand
Many industries rely on security printing solutions to protect their products and brands against counterfeiting, tampering, and also for authentication.
The demand for security printing functions is increasing, Van Bauwel says this is not only in terms of volume, but in complexity, sophistication, and strategic importance. “This trend is driven by a mix of global risks, regulatory changes, brand protection needs, and technological opportunities.”
Craig points out that according to reports from the World Trademark Review (WTR), global counterfeiting activity is on the rise, with European Union authorities detaining 31 percent more fake goods in 2021 than the previous year and counterfeiting claims before U.S. courts now accounting for 40 percent of all trademark disputes, tripling over the past five years.
“An OECD/EUIPO report from 2021 with the most recently available data on the global trade in counterfeit and pirated products estimates that international trade in fake goods amounted to as much as $464 billion in 2019, or 2.5 percent of world trade. The report is based on customs seizure data, which included almost 6,000 customs seizures of counterfeit labels. This trade in counterfeit goods includes the assembly of counterfeit and pirated products from imported materials. Brand protection security features are aimed at deterring, detecting, and providing evidence of tampering, ensuring the security and integrity of the supply chain; providing assurance to consumers that they are buying genuine, safe, and quality products; and preventing losses caused by theft, breakage, or waste,” shares Craig. “We therefore see that the demand for security printing in brand protection and in personal identity will remain high.”
Van Bauwel warns that global counterfeiting is now a multi-trillion dollar problem affecting industries from pharmaceuticals and luxury goods to tax authorities. “Security printing is increasingly seen as a first line of defense in supply chain integrity and product validation. But also governments and regulatory bodies are tightening controls around excise goods—alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis; pharmaceuticals; secure documents; and child toys. This has significantly increased demand for high-integrity printed assets, often with digital traceability and audit capabilities—a space where digital print technologies shine.”
Hativa says brand protection has shown significant growth, the highest in security segments as well as governmental security printing.
The need to protect sensitive information, reduce counterfeiting, and ensure authentication has driven this growth and adoption. “As fraud concerns rise, businesses increasingly use specialty imaging to add an extra layer of protection to documents such as statements, event tickets, certificates, and coupons,” confirms Raab.
Hagay sees significant interest in security and brand protection solutions among print houses, converters, and print buyers. However, she points out that implementation and deployment are ultimately determined by the brand owner who selects the most appropriate anti-counterfeit solutions for their specific requirements. This selection and deployment process is extensive, involving thorough evaluation by a brand’s quality assurance and quality control departments.
“Once the solution is selected and implemented, replacing it becomes extremely difficult. Despite growing interest and increasing numbers of companies developing security and brand protection solutions, adoption of these technologies is—in my own opinion—relatively slow,” admits Hagay.
Digital Print and Security
Digital print technologies, with their ability to contain large levels of information, data, and to assign unique values to each item or product, offer a next-generation deterrent in the fight against counterfeit goods, suggests Craig. “Analog processes can be counterfeited but traceable and readable information is embedded in digital print. These systems offer next-gen protection for secure documents.”
When used correctly and by an authorized source, Hativa points out that digital technology is able to create highly secured packaging for products or governmental documents, as it provides a unique ID and ever-changing background and security elements which can be interconnected. “The benefits of digital printing in general make it easier to produce.”
Unlike conventional print methods, Van Bauwel says digital workflows eliminate many of the vulnerabilities that can be exploited in traditional production environments, including the elimination of intermediate steps and physical plates. “Conventional printing methods require physical plates, which can be copied, mishandled, or reused for fraudulent printing. In conventional printing the security is often created by combining multiple processes—every step in the process generates intermediate waste, semi-finished products, and stocks of secure products—all of this can lead to potential fraudulent leaks. In digital printing there are no intermediate reproduction steps, reducing the number of potential access points for sensitive data.”
Further, digital print allows every printed item to be individually tracked. “Digital workflows enable precise job-level and item-level tracking. Every printed piece can be uniquely identified, logged, and traced back to its source data. Integration with serialization and audit systems ensures full traceability from file creation to final output. This creates a closed-loop, verifiable chain of custody for secure print jobs,” adds Van Bauwel.
One of the most powerful safeguards in Xeikon’s architecture is that the printable file never actually exists in a transferable form. “With Xeikon’s secure workflow, the print-ready bitmap is generated on-the-fly during the print process. There are no static output files—e.g., PDFs or imposed layouts—that could be intercepted, copied, or modified prior to printing. This means the actual printable content only lives ephemerally inside the engine, effectively making data interception or duplication virtually impossible,” says Van Bauwel.
Hagay feels that digital presses such as those from Landa are well suited to meet the demands of security and brand protection. “In specialized markets like pharmaceuticals and luxury packaging the demand for fine details, micro-text, invisible watermarks, and variable codes is increasing. Landa’s ability to print at high resolution with precise color control makes it an ideal solution.”
Moreover, digital printing greatly improves the efficiency of printing variable codes. “Landa’s technology supports custom, unique code printing of each printed piece, or impression. Instead of using an offset machine followed by an offline inkjet to print variable codes, everything can be accomplished in a single pass, making the process faster and more cost effective,” says Hagay.
Hagay adds that some brand protection solutions (e.g., Alpvision) enhance security by applying coatings that change appearance under different conditions. Landa’s inline coater, which can be UV or water-based, can significantly streamline this workflow.
Solutions like NBi FlexPack’s technology for holograms offers a cost advantage over traditional holographic decals and films that are expensive. “With eBeam cast and cure, standard films can be used since the hologram is part of the finished coating. While there is a cost for the embellishing film used to create the impression in the coating, it can be reused to produce over a million pouches before needing replacement. Depending on pouch size and quantity made, the cost per unit can be as low as just a few cents,” says Leto.
In the markets NBi FlexPack services, which include nutraceuticals, pet, snack, and particularly cannabis, brand security has become more of a concern. “While determined counterfeiters may still attempt brand identity theft, eBeam holographic images make it significantly more difficult and cost prohibitive for these thieves. At the same time, eBeam holographic images help authenticate brands and aid them in standing out in today’s increasingly crowded retail environments,” says Leto.
Leiberman says digital printing is well poised to introduce new technologies such as NanoCast. “The new developments are to be able to print holograms, optical structures, lenticulars, moires, and lithographic effects that are variable—each is different from the next—on any printing press. No more outsourcing for the security printer.”
Further, solutions like Canon’s ColorStream series of inkjet printers are able to utilize specialty inks beyond standard CMYK, including MICR, fugitive inks, and UV-fluorescent inks. These inks help in creating security features on printed documents, such as checks with MICR encoding or documents with tamper-evident functions.
Invisible security available with Xerox Specialty Imaging technologies, such as MicroText Mark and GlossMark, embed covert security elements in documents, making them difficult to tamper with or replicate. “These features are especially valuable for protecting high-security documents like certificates, tickets, and coupons,” notes Raab.
Advanced Security
Digital print technologies inherently bring advantages in terms of security print—first and foremost being variable printing. However, advanced technologies are integrated into hardware and software and also found in effects capable in the inks and finishing processes found in digital production workflows.
“Security printing is evolving—becoming more data-driven and layered with complex requirements. Digital printing technologies, combined with intelligent software, inline modules, and secure workflows, are now at the forefront of this transformation,” attests Van Bauwel. “The flexibility that digital printing offers is essential in a world where counterfeiting adapts quickly, and print security must stay ahead.”
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Jul2025, DPS Magazine
