When we talk about accuracy in asset tracking in supply chain and logistics, we think of barcoding technology and its widespread applications. The packaging company Wrigley first used Barcoding technology over 40 years ago. Little did they know then what a huge impact it would have on the track and trace industry. Today we find barcodes in small packaged products in retail, manufacturing items, couriers, as well as high-value security components.
The more the technological aspect deepens, the more advanced the innovations become, solving persistent problems and regulating business sectors to achieve their goals with great efficiency. Therefore, there is a growing need for technological tools that can improve the authenticity of products and reduce counterfeiting problems. As per a report, counterfeiting has become a USD 1.82 Trillion problem in 2022. To solve this problem, the introduction of ‘invisible barcodes’ has proven useful in the field of tracking and tracing.
Smart packaging of products is rapidly becoming a reality in the form of invisible ink barcodes, nanomaterial branding and brand authentication holograms. Invisible barcodes are different from those traditional black-and-white squares retailers used earlier in the form of UPC-12 barcode. These are cutting-edge, nearly imperceptible codes that are set to revolutionize authentication and anti-counterfeiting measures across industries.
What Are Invisible Barcodes?
Invisible Barcodes are created by using specialized invisible ink that emits a fluorescent glow when exposed to certain kinds of light such as ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light. The reasons behind using barcodes of this nature include security, and authentication while maintaining the look of the product and brand packaging.
As businesses increasingly seek reliable methods to verify the integrity of their products, invisible barcodes emerge as a critical tool, merging cutting-edge technologies with practical applications to meet the growing demand for secure tracking solutions. Examples of invisible barcodes include DWCode (Digital Watermark Code), and Digimarc code.
Unlike traditional barcodes, which are visible and can be easily replicated, invisible barcodes utilize advanced printing techniques that render them undetectable to the naked eye while still being readable by specialized scanners. Smart packaging with invisible barcode labels not only helps combat counterfeiting but also ensures greater authenticity of a product, making them invaluable in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals to luxury goods.
Reading Invisible Barcodes
Invisible barcodes are printed on assets using special fluorescent ink, this ink is not seen by human naked eye and requires proper lighting like (UV) ultraviolet and (IR) Infrared to recognize a hidden barcode.
While printing the barcode doesn’t require any additional technology, reading the barcodes on the other hand requires specialized lenses. These lenses provide illumination to the ink resulting in code becoming visible to the lenses, further, it can be decoded and turned into data and text. A smart modular mobile terminal can be used to convert a barcode scanner into an invisible barcode scanner. It uses a UV lighting module and lens filter to illuminate and quickly decipher the code using a high-performance decoding algorithm.
Various Inks & Printing Techniques for Hidden Barcodes
Various manufacturers have produced a wide range of inks that can be used to create hidden or invisible barcodes. These inks impart different colors when ultraviolet rays fall on them. While UV is among the most common ink used to create invisible barcodes, there is a range of ink available for production. For added security, specialized inks can be produced that are visible only in a narrow band of light frequency.
One advantage that these ink offers is that, they can be used in existing hardware means they behave just like any other printing ink. These inks can be applied by inkjet, thermal transfer and other conventional printing methods, not requiring any specialized equipment.
How Invisible Barcodes Help in Efficient Brand Protections & Anti-Counterfeiting?
According to a report, the global market for anti-counterfeiting, smart packaging and brand protection was estimated to be $3.62 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach more than $4.61 billion by the year 2028. The market size growth is driven by the innovation of anti-counterfeiting packaging technologies.
Unlike traditional barcodes, which are easily scanned and read by standard barcode readers, invisible barcodes require specialized equipment to retrieve the encoded information. This ensures that the codes remain hidden from counterfeiters while still being accessible to authorized personnel.
Invisible barcodes keep efficient authentication first-hand as once scanned they can direct to authentic brand pages and social handles thus, creating a sense of accurate brand purchase and user satisfaction. Barcodes of this kind are less in use, as they are new in the market, so implementing them in a continuously challenging environment can yield fruitful results and unmatched brand value.
Brand Protection and Anti-Counterfeiting Applications in Various Industries
Food and beverages, the medication industry and authentication of luxury goods are some potential segments where these barcodes can offer significant benefits.
1. Food and Beverage Sector Using Anti-Counterfeiting Invisible Ink Barcodes
The food and beverage sector requires product integrity and safety. To ensure this, invisible barcodes can be introduced to track food throughout the supply chain. These barcodes ensure that consumers receive safe, high-quality products in less time. The technology provides transparency in the process and helps to increase consumer confidence in food products. For example, Nestle, a well-known company, has introduced the invisible digital watermark on its packaging as part of its Holy Grail 2.0 initiative.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry Using Invisible Ink Barcodes
In the medical industry, ensuring the authenticity of medications is crucial for public health. Counterfeited medicines can have deadly consequences for a patient’s health. These barcodes can be embedded in packaging can help verify the legitimacy of pharmaceutical products. It ensures patients receive genuine medications, ultimately improving health outcomes.
3. Luxury Goods Businesses Using Invisible Ink Barcodes
Luxury brands often face significant threats from counterfeit products that damage their reputation and reduce sales. By utilizing invisible barcodes, brands can enhance product authentication and protect their offerings. By verifying products, consumers can ensure that the goods they purchase at high prices are original, leading to greater satisfaction. Products like designer handbags, watches, and apparel require a higher level of authenticity than other items.
Other Technologies in Smart Packaging Improve Brand Authentication
Few other technologies hold as much potential for brand authentication as the use of hologram-based codes on products, which give a 3D impression of the brand's initials so that they cannot be imitated by anyone. It not only serves as a robust anti-counterfeiting measure but also protects the integrity of the brand.
Another measure could be implementing a QR-based anti-counterfeiting solution to combat counterfeiters and preserve brand value among consumers. These solutions are effective because a QR code on a product can be easily scanned for digital online verification, ultimately fostering consumer satisfaction.
Use of NFC and RFID technology in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting is also a preferred choice by many high value item producing businesses such as luxury fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, wine, and jewelry firms. NFC and RFID based solutions are highly efficient and customers can use their smartphones to verify the authenticity of the product themselves.
Invisible Ink & Nano Materials for Packaging
An innovative solution could be the implication of invisible ink and nanomaterials in smart packaging solutions. These solutions include hidden security markers on products that brands and consumers can easily identify using specialized equipment. These inks and nano-materials prove hard to replicate thus offering an extra layer of protection.
To summarize, invisible barcodes are a step to transform the way products are authenticated and protected against counterfeiting. By combining cutting-edge technology with practical applications across various industries, these barcodes offer a secure means of verification that traditional methods struggle to provide. These barcodes and nanomaterials offer unmatched packaging quality and security of products throughout the process.
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