Security inks
and Anti Tampering Packaging Technologies
With more and more products being orders online and delivered to doorsteps, criminals find new methods for fraud and theft. Whether it’s detecting clever counterfeits or thwarting the opening of packages to steal contents, CTI has developed several technologies designed to authenticate products or show tampering has occurred. See sections below for types and applications.
Advantages:
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Covert and overt technologies, depending on requirements
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Technologies may be combined to create a unique security feature
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Printable technology, just like other high speed commercial inks
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Full control over brand identity, graphic design and placement, either through existing printed label or direct package/container printing
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Customizable with high-volume implementations
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Long-term chemical stability
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Safe for indirect food contact
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BPA-, BPF-, BPS-free and compliant with REACH, Prop 65, CONEG, and many other regulations.
Invisible Ink Using Fluorescing
Just like most U.S. paper currency has invisible stripes that fluoresce specific colors when excited by blacklight (UVA wavelengths), your customers can add graphics or text printed in invisible ink to ensure authenticity. Fluorescing strength varies with printed ink film weight. See the difference between fluorescing and phosphorescent inks here.
natural light
UV light
Available colors
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Invisible to Green-Yellow Fluorescing
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Invisible to Yellow Fluorescing
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Invisible to Red Fluorescing
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Invisible to Blue Fluorescing
Others may be available on request with significant annual volumes.
Industries and Applications
Foods Cans, labels, flexible packaging, single barrier films, laminated film structures
Consumer High-value, branded product packaging, and secondary packaging
Pharma Medicine or medical device labels, packaging, secondary packaging
Availability
Metal Deco, UV Flexo, Water-Based Flexo, Solvent-Based Flexo and Gravure, UV Wet Offset. Other print formats may be available.
to discuss your application and the best solutions.
Touch-Activated Thermochromic Security Inks
Touching or rubbing materials printed with this technology to generate warmth will make the color disappear or change to a lighter color (in the case of color-to-color inks), signaling at a glance the authenticity of a document or product. In ink formats that offer heavier film weights, such as UV Screen and UV Flexo, hide-and-reveal graphics are possible. Touch-activated security features offer simple and cost-effective solutions.
ambient
exposed to body heat
Available colors
See the color charts by ink format here.
Standard Temperature Ranges
Body-Heat Activation:
29°C / 84°F to
35C°C / 95°F
Other temperatures may be available, depending on print format and color. Consider the in-market date, as warmer summer or colder winter temperatures may affect desired color change functionality. Custom target temperatures may require a development fee or guaranteed minimum quantity.
Industries and Applications
Business Official government and business documents or labels
Consumer High-value, branded product packaging, and secondary packaging
Pharma Medicine or medical device labels, packaging, secondary packaging
Availability
UV Screen, UV Flexo, Water-Based Flexo, Solvent-Based Flexo and Gravure, Wet Offset, UV Wet Offset. Other print formats may be available.
to discuss your application and the best solutions.
PhotoTag™
Anti Tampering Packaging Technology
The ultimate in security, CTI’s PhotoTag anti tampering packaging technology makes it nearly impossible for criminals to side-step or counterfeit. The ink itself contains taggants that have a specific Raman signal profile that may be read and confirmed with a handheld device. Criminals would have to have not only the taggant material but would also have to program the device for that particular Raman signal.
Generally, government agencies and makers of high-value products use PhotoTag.
Each PhotoTag application requires an extensive understanding of the application, requirements, and qualification planning. Several ink formats are available. Contact CTI to learn more.
Pressure-Activated
See the description of pressure-activated inks, which may be used for security and tamper-evidence also.
