Anti-counterfeiting printing ink technology got rapid progress at home and abroad, especially in terms of packaging anti-counterfeiting. Anti-counterfeiting printing ink technology with its significant advantage, more and more widely recognized and applied.
Anti-counterfeiting technology is a kind of traditional ink anti-counterfeiting technology, together with paper anti-counterfeiting technology, plate-making anti-counterfeiting technology, printing anti-counterfeiting technology to become the foundation of anti-counterfeiting printing. The anti-counterfeit printing ink technology with strong adaptability, high technical level, the cost is relatively low, the most widely used, occupies very important position in the anti-counterfeiting technology. Anti-counterfeiting ink technology is used only for credential and money anti-counterfeiting at first. In the 1990s, it has been applied gradually in terms of product packing anti-counterfeiting.
long and short wave ultraviolet fluorescence ink and temperature change ink, pearl ink is very common in anti-counterfeit printing ink used in the field of product packaging. It is also appeared in recent years the infrared fluorescent ink, magnetic ink, ink, special ink, water sensitivity optical color printing ink, ink and other high technology level of DNA with anti-counterfeiting strong strength of the ink.
The characteristics of common anti-counterfeit printing ink and identification
Anti-counterfeiting ink has some special physical and chemical properties of ink, most of which is used in ordinary ink to add special functional materials for anti-counterfeiting performance. There are a few color material itself with some special properties, made by the direct printing ink have anti-counterfeiting features. The use of anti-counterfeit printing ink rationally not only will not affect the appearance of packaging design, but also with the development of the technology progress and the emergence of new materials, part of the anti-counterfeiting inks have good anti-counterfeiting performance, with the excellent decorative effect at the same time, such as fluorescent ink, pearl ink, daylight optical color printing ink, etc.
1. thermochromic anti-counterfeiting printing ink
The color of ink will change after heating. Depending on the performance, thermochromic ink can be divided into reversible thermochromic ink and anti- reversible thermochromic ink. The color of reversible thermochromic ink can reversiblly change when temperature increases or reduces. It can be identified repeatedly. The color of anti- reversible thermochromic ink changes only with the increase of temperature. When the temperature reduces, the color will not return to the former state. It is suitable to do one-time identify authenticity. The identification of two kinds of thermochromic ink is very simple. It does not need to use any equipment.
Thermochromic ink is widely used in food packaging. A lot of small food packaging and tobacco packaging use thermochromic ink to anti-counterfeit.
Some simple thermochromic inks now most is used as interesting material. only the thermochromic inks with unique color change effect is used in anti-counterfeiting materials applications. Generally, they have unique color changing effect or multiple, controlled temperature effect. For example, the color of some inks only appear in 30 ~ 40 ℃ (red), but does not show higher than 40 ℃ or below 30 ℃. Some inks in different temperature ranges have a variety of different color effect.
2. Fluorescent anti-counterfeit printing ink
Fluorescent anti-counterfeit printing ink is stimulated by anti-counterfeiting function material and shows fluorescent. Shortwave fluorescent UV ink in the wavelength of 254 nm ultraviolet light can make different color fluorescence. Long wave ultraviolet fluorescent ink, under the irradiation of 365 nm wavelength can make different color fluorescent. The infrared fluorescence ink under the high intensity infrared irradiation of 980 nm can make different color fluorescent. Different functional materials in infrared or ultraviolet excitation will make different color visible light, the use of these materials anti-counterfeit printing ink sort is more, each has its own characteristics, widely used, if reasonable combination and matching with different material, can also make security performance is very strong modular fluorescent anti-counterfeit printing ink, it is also the excited light ink technology development direction in the future.
The identification of activated fluorescent ink only needs to use simple security testing instrument to finish. For example, the public recognize fluorescent UV ink by Counterfeit Detector ultraviolet lamp. Because this kind of ink are easy to conceal, easy to identify, high of technical level, hard to copy, and many other advantages, in recent years on the drug and the packaging of cigarettes, it has been widely used.
3.Water sensitive ink
Water sensitive ink is made up of some ink with special hydrophilic material. The patterns or texts with the ink automatically disappear or become other color when touching water. These characteristics are reversible, and can be repeated many times.
The biggest advantage of this kind of ink is easy to identify. It does not need any instrument, as long as there are water can be identified. And the characteristics are very obvious. Anyone can easily identify without training. It is the most desired effect to identify. So the printing ink soon was widely accepted by the user after appearing.
4. photochromic ink
Photochromic ink is one of the most outstanding to identify by instrument in the anti-counterfeit printing ink. Because the ink, from the angle of different ink marks, can present different and metallic color in natural light, it not only has anti-counterfeit effect, but also can make the iridescence effect on the packing of the products (decorative performance). Since it appeared, it quickly gets application in packaging market.
Based on the difference of mechanism of color, this kind of ink is divided into two different classes. One class is multilayer coating material ink. The other one is liquid crystal material ink. Depending on the type of material, some ink often also comes with other special optical performance, with other anti-counterfeiting recognition characteristics of ink. The production technology of photochromic ink material is complex. According to the material and color of different process parameters, the effect is completely different. Imitation of the manufacturers of material is almost impossible. Because it has such features, anti-counterfeiting performance is wonderful. It is predictable that photochromic ink in the application of anti-counterfeiting packaging must have good prospects.
5. anti-counterfeiting printing ink suit for arbitration
In recent years, researchers have also developed some very unique anti-counterfeiting printing ink with special anti-counterfeit effect. Because the identification of this ink needs certain equipments and professional technology and it needs long time, it is much used for identification of arbitration.
several kinds of anti-counterfeit printing ink suit for arbitration
In recent years, scientific research personnel developed some very unique anti-counterfeiting printing ink with some special anti-counterfeit effect. Because identification of this ink needs certain equipments and professional technology, and identify cycle is long, so it is much used for identification of arbitration .
(1) magnetic ink
Magnetic ink is made of special material of magnetic induction with high technology. Magnetic ink has good anti-counterfeiting function, but the ink in the identification needs special instruments.
(2) special spectrum ink
Special spectrum ink with special performance, through can be concluded that authenticity identification of the ink spectral. It has strong anti-fake function. Its Identification needs special instrument.
(3) DNA anti-counterfeiting printing ink
DNA anti-counterfeiting printing ink has almost unrepeatable uniqueness, so it has the ideal anti- counterfeiting function. Identification technology of this ink is complex, specialized. Less equipment satisfies its identification and it has long identification cycle.
The problems in the application of anti-counterfeiting ink
Compared with other anti-counterfeiting technology, adaptability of anti-counterfeiting ink is great, used for paper, plastic, metal, glass and other packaging materials. It is Suitable for offset printing, embossed, intaglio printing, screen printing, flexographic printing, inkjet printing and other printing, can print all kinds of text, pattern, etc. But different anti-counterfeit printing inks contain different technical features and using requirement. In order to achieve the ideal application effect, it should also pay attention to the following questions.
1. Choosing anti-counterfeit printing ink according to the characteristics of the product packaging
The use of anti-counterfeiting ink has close relationship with the product packaging production process. For example, the printing eligibility of stimulated ink and special light spectrum ink is very good with stable performance and can be made into suitable for offset, embossed, gravure, screen printing and flexible printing etc. they are suitable for different dry form, such as solvent evaporation, cross linking type, UV type etc. Most of the thermochromic and photochromic ink can only use screen printing or gravure to ensure their specific security performance and printing effect.
The use of different types of ink is subject to the conditions of substrates. If the paper’s printing eligibility is good, it can almost print various types of anti-counterfeiting inks. However, since most of the paper contains fluorescent whitening agent, it can affect the use of long wave ultraviolet fluorescent anti-counterfeit printing ink. On the other hand, the position of anti-counterfeit printing ink should also be paid attention. For instance, fluorescent UV printing ink’s light resistance is poor, not suitable for using in product packaging. In general, colorless fluorescent ink can't be printed on the pictures which contain the opposite color with fluorescent color. The color shade of color can’t be opposite color with the ink color in ink, otherwise it will affect the fluorescence effect.
Post process sometimes influences on the performance of the anti-counterfeit printing ink. UV glazing process affects the anti-counterfeiting features of ultraviolet short-wave fluorescence ink, so we can't use short-wave fluorescence ink printing on UV glazing, or fluorescent effect will disappear.
We will consider if the packing contents have an effect on the performance of the anti-counterfeit printing ink. For example, anti-counterfeit printing ink used in alcohol package should have good tolerance to ethanol, to avoid disappearance of anti-fake effect by accidental pollution.
In addition, the use of anti-counterfeiting ink also notices the relevant laws, regulations and environmental requirements.
According to different packaging products, manufactures choose to use to match the anti-counterfeiting ink, considering the packing materials, printing and post-press processing technology, and even the use of packaging environment factors.
2. Pay attention to packaging design link, and exert the best effect of anti-counterfeit printing ink
Application of anti-counterfeiting ink on product packaging, not only to ensure the anti-counterfeit effect, also focus on the unity and coordination with packing design style, and even to achieve anti-counterfeiting and packaging design complement each other.
The use of anti-counterfeiting printing ink should combine with packaging design. Its stiff application affects the beauty of the packaging. Anti-counterfeiting printing ink can be hidden in ordinary packaging design and words. It also can be highlighted. the rational use of anti-counterfeit printing ink can not only strengthen the function of security, but also can play the role of beautification product packaging. For example, in packaging design, it is can be combined with colorless and colored, long wave and short wave fluorescent anti-counterfeit printing ink and anti-counterfeiting plate-making spends, background and other technical to present colorful gorgeous effect under fluorescent light. High-grade cigarette often choose element grating holographic film and anti-counterfeiting printing ink. If its pattern design, printing and processing technology are combined with the features of element grating holographic film, anti-counterfeit printing ink perfectly, it will be able to produce unexpected artistic effect. In recent years, the author sees some of the anti-counterfeiting packaging products beautifully designed, refreshing.
In short, flexible use of anti-counterfeiting ink is an important part of the anti-counterfeiting packaging design. Only selection the appropriate on the different types of packaging anti-counterfeiting ink, and combination with the design of the packaging, can play a good anti-counterfeiting effect. It requires packaging designers to master some knowledge of anti-counterfeiting technology and anti-counterfeit packaging design skills.
3. Advocate comprehensive anti-counterfeiting concept
Observing anti-counterfeiting technology both at home and abroad throughout the evolution of history, in securities, certificates or product labels and packaging, it is advocated that the concept of comprehensive anti-counterfeiting is an inevitable trend. Only do we maximize the comprehensive anti-counterfeiting, we can increase anti-counterfeiting security coefficient and achieve ideal anti-counterfeiting effect.
Anti-counterfeiting ink is one of the comprehensive anti-counterfeiting preferred anti-counterfeiting technology, combining with Paper anti-counterfeiting technology, plate-making anti-counterfeiting technology, printing anti-counterfeiting technology, laser holographic anti-counterfeiting technology, digital information security technology
The meaning of product packaging which using anti-counterfeiting printing ink
In recent years, with the prosperity of commodity economy, people's consumption level is improved greatly .A large number of brand products sells good in the market. At the same time, some criminals product a large number of fake brand products to intended the high the profits. Even some produce counterfeit cigarettes, wine, medicines and other products for profiteering directly .The counterfeit goods do not harm consumers only, also do harm to the interests of the enterprise, disrupt economic order, harm to society. If enterprise did a good job of security products, will not only protect the interests of the enterprise, and will a kind of responsible behavior which enterprise treat socially also. Especially the health food, drugs which related to people's life. There should be more reliable security measures to safeguard the safety of the product to preventing the fake .The proper use of anti-counterfeit printing ink in the product packaging, security problems can be resolved just by increasing the cost of a smaller product .This is a kind of economy, simple but high technical level of anti-counterfeiting technology. As one of the most widely used anti-counterfeiting printing ink, it is convenient to use, and also the most economic and practical technology. It can play a good effect to improve the anti-counterfeiting performance of packaging products effectively. Over the years, there are a lot of successful cases of anti-counterfeit printing ink packaging using in domestic and foreign famous brand product .It gets the consumers recognized widely. We believe that, anti-counterfeit printing ink does not has a glorious past only, there will be much better and brighter future also. It will make a long-term contribution in maintain normal economic order, combating counterfeit, and protect the interests of people.
