What is an anti-counterfeiting label？

An anti-counterfeit label, also known as a security label, is a type of label or marking placed on a product, its packaging, or related items (such as hang tags or certificates) to serve as a security measure. The primary purpose of an anti-counterfeit label is to verify the authenticity of the product and protect it from being counterfeited or copied. These labels often incorporate various security features and technologies that make it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate them accurately.

Anti-counterfeit labels are essential for both manufacturers and consumers. Manufacturers use them to safeguard their brand’s reputation and protect consumers from counterfeit products. Consumers can use these labels to verify the authenticity of a product before making a purchase, ensuring that they are getting a genuine and safe product.

These labels come in various forms and may include features like holograms, unique barcodes, QR codes, watermarks, special inks, microprinting, and other security elements that are challenging to reproduce accurately. The goal is to make it as difficult as possible for counterfeiters to create fake products or packaging that look identical to the genuine ones.

Anti-counterfeit labels, also known as anti-counterfeit trademarks, are identifying marks that can be affixed, printed, or transferred onto products, product packaging, or accompanying items (such as hang tags, business cards, and anti-counterfeit certificates). These labels serve the purpose of preventing counterfeiting and often include anti-counterfeit verification features, such as the ability to be scanned for authentication. There are various types of anti-counterfeit labels, including but not limited to:

1. Holographic Anti-counterfeit Labels: Also known as laser or hologram labels.
2. Printed Anti-counterfeit Labels: These include printed certificates and documents.
3. Dual-card Anti-counterfeit Labels: This category encompasses various dual-card anti-counterfeit labels, such as Moiré stripe dual-cards, nuclear track dual-cards, polarized optical dual-cards, and randomly encrypted hidden graphic dual-cards.
4. Graphic Output Laser Anti-counterfeit Labels: These labels utilize laser beams to create graphic anti-counterfeit markings on the target surface.
5. Nuclear Micro-pore Anti-counterfeit Labels: Also known as nuclear track anti-counterfeit labels. They are created by irradiating organic films with heavy ion generators or nuclear reactors, causing ion damage. Strong alkalis or acids are used to etch the formed tracks into micro-pores, forming graphic patterns. These labels exhibit white visual effects under visible light due to diffraction and scattering effects. When water infiltrates the micro-pores, the graphics disappear, and colored liquids can be applied to reveal colored graphics.
6. Graphic Disclosure Anti-counterfeit Labels: This category includes subtypes like Yin and Yang graphic disclosure labels, full-coating disclosure labels, and rule-based disclosure labels.
7. Invisible Graphic Anti-counterfeit Labels: These labels are made using materials with retro-reflective properties and include variations such as angular image-type, multi-dimensional angular-type, and reflective watermark-type anti-counterfeit labels.
8. Magnetic Code Anti-counterfeit Labels: Created using magnetic ink for printing. They encode information characteristics (such as barcode, code width, and spacing) and magnetic properties (remanent magnetism ratio and coercive force ratio) through printing techniques. They are identified using hidden magnetic code identification devices.
9. Mark Distribution Anti-counterfeit Labels: These labels utilize the distribution characteristics of three-dimensional colored fibers, known as texture distribution anti-counterfeit labels, or colored raised microbubbles and reflective particles, known as particle distribution anti-counterfeit labels. These labels are characterized by their uniqueness and difficulty to counterfeit.
10. Cover Layer Anti-counterfeit Labels: These labels include unique digital or graphic information covered by a protective layer. They come in scratch-off and peel-off varieties. Once the protective layer is removed, it cannot be reused. Common examples include scratch-off and peel-off anti-counterfeit labels with verification methods such as SMS verification, 400 telephone services, toll-free numbers, landline numbers, and website verification.
11. Original Light Holographic Anti-counterfeit Labels: These labels are produced using high-resolution holographic technology to create holographic images on thin films with grating spacing less than or equal to 0.4μm. They exhibit interference patterns under white light, resulting in changing colors when rotated.
12. RFID Electronic Labels: RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a state-of-the-art anti-counterfeit label technology used in access cards, public transportation cards, and various applications in daily life.
13. DNA Anti-counterfeit Labels: DNA anti-counterfeit technology is a precise authentication method that utilizes the uniqueness and diversity of DNA genetic genes. It involves extracting, purifying, and combining DNA sequences to create unique and exclusive DNA sequences for authentication.
14. Double Helix Color Code Anti-counterfeit Labels: This technology represents an upgrade to traditional printing techniques for anti-counterfeit labels.
15. Shape Memory Anti-counterfeit: These labels are made using shape memory materials. When heated to a certain temperature, the surface text or patterns immediately change to preset alternatives, allowing for product authentication.

The significance of these anti-counterfeit labels lies in protecting a brand’s identity and providing consumers with a means to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones. However, choosing the right anti-counterfeit technology can be challenging, as it requires a deep understanding of the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the products being protected. Each product may have unique flaws and potential issues that need to be addressed through a tailored anti-counterfeit solution.