The synergy of print media and digital media: a secure future for products

In a world increasingly characterised by technological advances and digitalisation, companies face the constant challenge of protecting their products from counterfeiting and fraud. Product piracy and brand counterfeiting can not only cause significant financial losses, but also undermine consumer confidence in a brand. To effectively counter this threat, the industry is developing innovative solutions that increase product security while protecting brand integrity. One promising technology in this context is the Optical Variable Device (OVD), which, in combination with digital media, opens up new ways of ensuring product security.

Optical Variable Devices, or OVDs for short, are special holographic printing elements that show different visual effects depending on the viewing angle and lighting conditions. This makes them extremely difficult to reproduce and provides effective protection against counterfeiting. They are available in various forms, including stickers, labels and films.

Brand and product security is a top priority for companies. With increasing globalization and easier access to production and distribution opportunities, it is becoming easier for criminals to bring counterfeit goods to market. This can not only affect a company's revenue, but also shake customer confidence and damage a brand's reputation. To counteract this scenario, companies are looking for ways to make their products more secure and detect counterfeits. This strengthens the relationship with the consumer and creates long-term customer loyalty.

The combination of OVDs with variable data is an important component in increasing product safety. Variable data makes it possible to give each product a unique identification. This data can be serial numbers, production data or QR codes, for example, which vary from print to print.

The combination of OVDs and variable data is particularly effective as it creates a double layer of protection. The holographic OVDs serve as physical security features, while the variable data enables digital identification and traceability. In this way, companies can not only protect their products from counterfeiting, but also ensure the integrity of their supply chain and improve traceability. This creates a strong deterrent against product piracy.

NFC (Near Field Communication), QR codes and other digital carriers play an important role in the integration of OVDs into the digital world and have undergone rapid development in recent years. They enable consumers to retrieve information about a product quickly and easily, and above all contactlessly. By scanning a QR code or establishing an NFC connection, consumers can verify the authenticity of a product and also access confidential information such as origin, production date, authentication and security features. These technologies create a convenient way to transfer information from physical products to digital platforms.

In addition, these digital carrier supports allow companies to collect valuable data about buyer behavior, the distribution of their products and potential security breaches. This information is crucial for responding quickly to problems and further improving product safety.

Some companies are already leading the way in developing security solutions that combine OVDs and digital media. One example is KURZ, which produces high-quality security films and stickers with OVDs. These solutions offer excellent protection against counterfeiting and are widely used in various industries, from food to pharmaceuticals.

Another example is TrustConcept, a company that also specializes in integrating security technologies into printed products. They offer solutions that combine OVDs with digital elements to create a comprehensive security solution for brands.

They offer a wide range of technologies, including NFC tags and QR codes, to increase product security and guarantee customers a protected shopping experience.

The combination of print media, especially Optical Variable Devices, with digital media has the potential to significantly improve product safety. The industry has recognized that the challenges of brand security and product protection are becoming increasingly complex and that a holistic approach is required. The ongoing development and integration of physical security features, variable data and digital carriers creates a robust defense against product piracy. Companies can ensure that their products are authentic and provide consumers with a high level of trust and additional information. Brand and product security remains a key concern for businesses, and the combination of print media and digital solutions will undoubtedly play a key role in this.