On the safe side
Counterfeit protection Paper, design, printing and finishing can be used to take precautions against fraud and deception.
Protection against counterfeiting Paper, design, printing and finishing can be used to take precautions against lies and deception In the EU, imports of recognizable counterfeit products are said to have increased by 900 percent between 1998 and 2001. In 2002, Swiss customs alone confiscated counterfeit imported goods worth 3.5 million Swiss francs. The watch industry in the Jura Arc from Geneva to Biel estimates the damage caused by product piracy at 800 million francs a year. Assets worth billions are destroyed every year. The proportion of product piracy in global trade is now said to be as high as ten percent and rising, with products with high added value, e.g. in the music, pharmaceutical, spirits, watch and cigarette industries, being particularly affected. In some markets in Africa and Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 80 percent of medicines are counterfeit. These counterfeits cause losses in the tens of billions of Swiss francs worldwide every year.
The problem has existed for a long timeSince most countries lack the legal means to take action against the globally operating perpetrators, it is almost impossible. Even Central Europe is not immune. Just think of counterfeit tickets for shows and sporting events. Interpol also recommends taking protective measures. The problem has not only been known to the damaged industry since today, but many companies are still afraid of the additional costs and "prefer" to accept losses instead. It seems as if those responsible are still waiting for the 200 percent security measure. Yet counterfeit protection is a permanent task. New and better elements are helping to make it increasingly difficult to forge documents and copy products - at least temporarily. After all, counterfeiters are also capable of learning.
Experts believe that the demand for security will increase significantly in the coming years. In their opinion, the further opening up of Europe, the technological upgrading of Asia and the expansion of transportation and logistics are reasons for the increase in counterfeit products. This is why security elements in and on paper are becoming increasingly important. Simple solutions are also required for this.
Papers that contain security elements offer even more security in the combination of design, printing and finishing. Despite all this, there is one fly in the ointment: rapid personnel changes mean that there is a risk that not only security expertise will be lost, but also mischanneled. The safety advantage will rarely last long. This makes package inserts and booklets, packaging and seals, labels and authenticity checks all the more important. Regardless of whether it is printed matter for music or medicines. Suitable security and specialty papers are a prerequisite for this.
Security elements in the paperForgery protection means above all additional benefits, which - despite the costs - are often the more favorable solution in the end.
This means that different safety requirements in terms of feel, sound, durability, etc. can be met in the production of these papers by combining cotton, rags, pulp and other base materials.
The addition of invisible chemical dyes in the paper secured in this way, which react with alkalis, acids, solvents and chlorine bleaches and become visible during counterfeiting attempts, makes the counterfeiter's job more difficult. Depending on the organic solvent (alcohol, petrol, plasticizer, etc.), red or blue spots become visible, brown spots when exposed to chlorine bleaching agents, blue-green spots when exposed to alkalis and red spots when exposed to acids.
A security thread can be embedded in various widths during paper production, either in metal (opaque or colored) or plastic (transparent colored or colorless; transparent colored or colorless or opaque white or colored). The thread can optionally be equipped with fluorescence, microprinting or machine-readable additives. Mottled fibers are another feature of security papers. Synthetic or natural fibers, visible with or without fluorescent properties or invisible fibers that fluoresce under UV light, are positioned in the paper. For example, mottled fibers in white paper are either invisible, barely visible or completely visible in daylight, while the fibers sometimes appear in other colors or become visible under UV light. Paper coated with iridescent stripes or hologram foils (Irisafe or Holosafe from Landqart) helps to ensure that documents cannot be copied true to the original. Such a copy is recognizable to everyone without any aids.
With a security paper for personalized data printing using an inkjet printing technology (Digisafe from Landqart), the falsification of some variable data results in the violation of the rest of the printed image.
Although paper color in itself is not a security feature, protection is increased by combining it with suitable printing pastel colors. Watermarks provide effective protection against forgery attempts using color copiers and scanners.
Another measure is a reaction dye that is added during the manufacturing process. The authenticity of the paper can be determined using a corresponding test pen. A blue coloration is then visible on the original document, for example, but not on the forgery. But be careful: Under certain circumstances, the test color of this security type may no longer be recognized due to varnishing or full-surface printing in dark colors.
Noteworthy solutionsIn the past, Ziegler Papier (March 2003) and the wholesaler Sihl + Eika Papier together with the producer Landqart (November 2004) organized specialist conferences to highlight these issues to interested parties. There it was shown that even simple solutions are sufficient to take precautions against fraudulent activities.
The usual marking of products, their packaging or inserts is generally not sufficient to protect against counterfeiting. Additional markings on the paper substrate are often unavoidable in the case of increased requirements. According to the consensus, the combination of several security features not only offers more possibilities, but also generally results in significantly higher security effects.
Security levels Fotorotar AG in Egg ZH produces, among other things, printed matter that has a value - apart from money. A distinction is made between the "Budget", "de Luxe" and "Combi" security levels.
"Budget": With security elements that are technically easy to produce, inexpensive protection of the printed matter is achieved by making reproduction considerably more difficult, e.g. with numbering, barcodes, perforation, punching/grooving, blind embossing, line screens, anti-copy screens, micro lettering or fluorescent colors.
"de Luxe": This higher security level requires specialist knowledge and equipment, e.g. for print products with security foils, holograms, diffraction foil, trust seals (proof of authenticity, closure seals), iris printing, UV printing inks invisible under normal lighting conditions or guilloches (ultra-fine line structures).
"Combi": The combination of "Budget" and "de Luxe" guarantees maximum security and makes counterfeiting impossible. (hjl)
Watermark printing for short runs Watermarks are normally applied to the paper during production. Larger quantities and longer delivery times are the norm. Watermarks can also be printed afterwards - even in short runs. This is made possible by the patented Inmarque watermark system from AGS Technics AG, Frauenfeld, which consists of a device and a liquid.
From 1000 A4 sheets, this is already affordable and documents can be marked as "originals". This also ensures protection against forgery. The device can be installed in older Heidelberg presses in place of a numbering unit. A liquid called Inmarque is applied or transferred to the paper using a photopolymer printing form. Natural papers from 60 to 250 g/m2 are particularly suitable for this. The liquid causes the printed sign to appear transparent, i.e. it no longer has the normal opacity of the paper. It is indistinguishable from a real watermark when seen through.
This watermark printing is practiced exclusively in Switzerland by the printing company Mogensen GmbH in Arbon SG. Papers with Inmarque watermarks can be overprinted or overwritten, are suitable for laser and inkjet printing technology and can be stored for many years. (hjl)
Security printing places the highest technical demands.
Hans Joachim Laue
The problem has existed for a long timeSince most countries lack the legal means to take action against the globally operating perpetrators, it is almost impossible. Even Central Europe is not immune. Just think of counterfeit tickets for shows and sporting events. Interpol also recommends taking protective measures. The problem has not only been known to the damaged industry since today, but many companies are still afraid of the additional costs and "prefer" to accept losses instead. It seems as if those responsible are still waiting for the 200 percent security measure. Yet counterfeit protection is a permanent task. New and better elements are helping to make it increasingly difficult to forge documents and copy products - at least temporarily. After all, counterfeiters are also capable of learning.
Experts believe that the demand for security will increase significantly in the coming years. In their opinion, the further opening up of Europe, the technological upgrading of Asia and the expansion of transportation and logistics are reasons for the increase in counterfeit products. This is why security elements in and on paper are becoming increasingly important. Simple solutions are also required for this.
Papers that contain security elements offer even more security in the combination of design, printing and finishing. Despite all this, there is one fly in the ointment: rapid personnel changes mean that there is a risk that not only security expertise will be lost, but also mischanneled. The safety advantage will rarely last long. This makes package inserts and booklets, packaging and seals, labels and authenticity checks all the more important. Regardless of whether it is printed matter for music or medicines. Suitable security and specialty papers are a prerequisite for this.
Security elements in the paperForgery protection means above all additional benefits, which - despite the costs - are often the more favorable solution in the end.
This means that different safety requirements in terms of feel, sound, durability, etc. can be met in the production of these papers by combining cotton, rags, pulp and other base materials.
The addition of invisible chemical dyes in the paper secured in this way, which react with alkalis, acids, solvents and chlorine bleaches and become visible during counterfeiting attempts, makes the counterfeiter's job more difficult. Depending on the organic solvent (alcohol, petrol, plasticizer, etc.), red or blue spots become visible, brown spots when exposed to chlorine bleaching agents, blue-green spots when exposed to alkalis and red spots when exposed to acids.
A security thread can be embedded in various widths during paper production, either in metal (opaque or colored) or plastic (transparent colored or colorless; transparent colored or colorless or opaque white or colored). The thread can optionally be equipped with fluorescence, microprinting or machine-readable additives. Mottled fibers are another feature of security papers. Synthetic or natural fibers, visible with or without fluorescent properties or invisible fibers that fluoresce under UV light, are positioned in the paper. For example, mottled fibers in white paper are either invisible, barely visible or completely visible in daylight, while the fibers sometimes appear in other colors or become visible under UV light. Paper coated with iridescent stripes or hologram foils (Irisafe or Holosafe from Landqart) helps to ensure that documents cannot be copied true to the original. Such a copy is recognizable to everyone without any aids.
With a security paper for personalized data printing using an inkjet printing technology (Digisafe from Landqart), the falsification of some variable data results in the violation of the rest of the printed image.
Although paper color in itself is not a security feature, protection is increased by combining it with suitable printing pastel colors. Watermarks provide effective protection against forgery attempts using color copiers and scanners.
Another measure is a reaction dye that is added during the manufacturing process. The authenticity of the paper can be determined using a corresponding test pen. A blue coloration is then visible on the original document, for example, but not on the forgery. But be careful: Under certain circumstances, the test color of this security type may no longer be recognized due to varnishing or full-surface printing in dark colors.
Noteworthy solutionsIn the past, Ziegler Papier (March 2003) and the wholesaler Sihl + Eika Papier together with the producer Landqart (November 2004) organized specialist conferences to highlight these issues to interested parties. There it was shown that even simple solutions are sufficient to take precautions against fraudulent activities.
The usual marking of products, their packaging or inserts is generally not sufficient to protect against counterfeiting. Additional markings on the paper substrate are often unavoidable in the case of increased requirements. According to the consensus, the combination of several security features not only offers more possibilities, but also generally results in significantly higher security effects.
Security levels Fotorotar AG in Egg ZH produces, among other things, printed matter that has a value - apart from money. A distinction is made between the "Budget", "de Luxe" and "Combi" security levels.
"Budget": With security elements that are technically easy to produce, inexpensive protection of the printed matter is achieved by making reproduction considerably more difficult, e.g. with numbering, barcodes, perforation, punching/grooving, blind embossing, line screens, anti-copy screens, micro lettering or fluorescent colors.
"de Luxe": This higher security level requires specialist knowledge and equipment, e.g. for print products with security foils, holograms, diffraction foil, trust seals (proof of authenticity, closure seals), iris printing, UV printing inks invisible under normal lighting conditions or guilloches (ultra-fine line structures).
"Combi": The combination of "Budget" and "de Luxe" guarantees maximum security and makes counterfeiting impossible. (hjl)
Watermark printing for short runs Watermarks are normally applied to the paper during production. Larger quantities and longer delivery times are the norm. Watermarks can also be printed afterwards - even in short runs. This is made possible by the patented Inmarque watermark system from AGS Technics AG, Frauenfeld, which consists of a device and a liquid.
From 1000 A4 sheets, this is already affordable and documents can be marked as "originals". This also ensures protection against forgery. The device can be installed in older Heidelberg presses in place of a numbering unit. A liquid called Inmarque is applied or transferred to the paper using a photopolymer printing form. Natural papers from 60 to 250 g/m2 are particularly suitable for this. The liquid causes the printed sign to appear transparent, i.e. it no longer has the normal opacity of the paper. It is indistinguishable from a real watermark when seen through.
This watermark printing is practiced exclusively in Switzerland by the printing company Mogensen GmbH in Arbon SG. Papers with Inmarque watermarks can be overprinted or overwritten, are suitable for laser and inkjet printing technology and can be stored for many years. (hjl)
Security printing places the highest technical demands.
Hans Joachim Laue
