Certilogo | Creating Business Insight from Product Traceability and Authentication

Today, a wide variety of strategies are used to secure products. One of the limitations inherent in traditional approaches is that they focus on determining whether a product is a fake. This is only part of the problem.

While traditional approaches defensively focus on the forensic value of security solutions, Certilogo goes much further and introduces a process methodology that automatically eliminates security holes. Certilogo can identify where a fake was sold, at what price and, in some cases, who made it. We help inspectors focus on suspect retailers and suggest the best time to execute inspections. Certilogo activates consumers and customs in the process of brand protection while increasing the understanding and appreciation of elements that make a product unique.

In concert with Certilogo's solutions, traditional technologies can be leveraged as part of our broader brand protection approach to offer significantly enhanced advantages and return on investment.

Here are some of the most common solutions, all of which may be seamlessly integrated into our Solutions:

HOLOGRAMS:

Holograms: The word “hologram” is used to describe a Diffractive Optical Variable Image Device (DOVIDs): a static 3D color image. Typically the image that appears is related to the brand, for example, logos, copyrighted product names, etc. Since ey are replicated from a master hologram that requires expensive and technologically sophisticated equipment, fake holograms do not fool an expert eye. Modern holograms used for security purposes permit different levels of identification and authentication: visible security elements (direct authentication with the naked eye without the support of any instrument) and invisible security elements (the images can have hidden writings or micro-texts that are readable only by using specific instruments like lenses, microscopes, laser, CD reader, etc.). They are used in product certificates of authenticity, CDs and DVDs, event tickets, etc.

VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE MARKING METHODS: Inks & Dyes

Ultraviolet Inks and Dyes: These techniques take advantage of photo-chromatic and luminescent inks and dyes that become active, and visible to the human eye, under UV light. In the fashion sector, threads coated with UV dyes are directly sewn into garments and garment labels are treated with UV dyes. More broad use includes the printing of marks onto product packaging, certificates of authenticity, and warranties. Manual inspections use a UV light to find the security markings. Given the difficulty of precise, fast reading of UV marks, this technology is not generally integrated into automated production or distribution processes.

Infrared and other Invisible Inks and Dyes: Infrared ink was the first invisible ink to be widely deployed in security applications. It is considered outdated but is still very common as new forms have replaced the original. Originally designed to prevent counterfeiting with photocopying machines: these inks can be used to hide a barcode or to prevent it from being copied. Special readers can quickly and precisely read infrared bar codes leading to this technology's wide adoption in automated production or distribution processes.

Fluorescent Polymers: These are custom designed chemical compounds, mixed into printing ink. They respond to a fixed wavelength of light when scanned with a special device. Since the compounds are custom made, this method requires significant up-front and on-going costs. The technique is frequently used in the printing of lottery tickets and very high-end certificates of authenticity.

CHEMICAL METHODS:

DNA Code: DNA coding technology involves obtaining DNA from plants and modifying it into a unique DNA sequence. This custom, unique DNA sequence is then inserted into ink, paste, paint, etc., and printed on a label or applied directly to a product. Since the DNA is custom made, this method requires significant up-front and ongoing expense. Decoding is not fast or inexpensive compared to other methods, and therefore this method is generally used to mark low volume, high-value items such as art, and sports memorabilia.

Chemical Code: This is codification using micro-crystals, micro-particles, and nano-particles. These contain invisible, security features that can be authenticated only by advanced reading systems or laboratory analysis. They may be embedded in packaging substrates or prints. These taggants generally consist of inert materials, very thin aluminium particles or rare particles with a size of 20 - 40 micrometers or even smaller. They carry customer-specific color codes, engravings or may be mixed in a special way so that they can be uniquely identified.

Glue Codification: When a drop of glue hardens, air bubbles with random shapes and sizes form. Each of the bubble formations within a drop is unique, like a fingerprint. This technology is used by applying glue drops to a label and using special instruments to record the unique air bubble formations. The overall dimension of the marking will be between 1 and 10 mm. Later, the database of registered formations can be consulted to determine the authenticity of the tag. The possible applications include a variety of products and sectors such as the pharmaceutical and food industry.

VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE MARKING METHODS: Other processes

Micro-texts: This technique involves the printing of a textual string or document on such a small scale that will be legible using specialized reading and analysis systems. Given the sophistication required to read the text, it cannot be used within automated processes. Micro-texts are generally used to mark packaging and labels in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as on lottery tickets and currencies.