What Issues Should Enterprises Pay Attention to When Customizing Anti-Counterfeiting Labels?

Anti-Counterfeiting Labels Are More Than Just Printing Codes

Many enterprises, when customizing anti-counterfeiting labels for the first time, think it is just printing QR codes on self-adhesive paper. In practice, from technology selection, data security, process matching to post-management, every step may encounter problems. The following are several key considerations summarized based on industry experience.

Technology Selection Should Match Product Attributes

Anti-counterfeiting technology is not about being more expensive, but about being more suitable. Food and beverage products are suitable for digital anti-counterfeiting, making it easy for consumers to scan and verify. Electronic products require tamper-evident labels to prevent accessories from being tampered with. High-end alcoholic beverages recommend holographic + digital combination, balancing brand grade and traceability.

If products need to be exported, compliance requirements of the target market also need to be considered. For products exported to the EU, label materials must comply with REACH regulations on SVHC substance restrictions. For food packaging exported to the US, FDA 21 CFR regulations on food contact materials should be noted.

Data Security Is the Top Priority

Anti-counterfeiting codes are the core assets of the anti-counterfeiting system. Once anti-counterfeiting code data is leaked, counterfeiters can generate valid anti-counterfeiting codes in bulk. When selecting an anti-counterfeiting service provider, enterprises need to confirm the following points:

Are anti-counterfeiting codes generated using encryption algorithms rather than sequential numbering? Does the database store hash values rather than plain codes? Does the system support query frequency limits and anomaly warnings? Is there hierarchical permission management for data access?

It is recommended that enterprises clarify data security responsibility clauses in contracts and require service providers to provide data encryption plans and regular security audit reports.

Face Material and Adhesive Selection Affect Usage Effect

The face material and adhesive of anti-counterfeiting labels directly affect the sticking effect and service life. Different material combinations need to be selected based on the sticking substrate:

For glass bottles, coated paper face material with permanent adhesive is recommended. For plastic packaging, it is necessary to confirm whether the plastic surface tension meets the standard (recommended ≥38 dynes), otherwise labels are prone to falling off. For frozen food packaging, synthetic paper face material with frozen adhesive must be used to ensure adhesion is maintained at -20°C.

For outdoor products (such as machinery and equipment), PET or synthetic paper face material is recommended. These materials have strong weather resistance and are not prone to fading or aging.

Minimum Order Quantity and Cost Structure Must Be Clarified

The cost of anti-counterfeiting labels consists of several parts: data system setup fee (one-time), plate fee (if applicable), printing fee, anti-counterfeiting code service fee, and shipping fee. The cost structure varies greatly among different technical routes.

Digital anti-counterfeiting labels have zero plate fee and support printing from 1 piece, suitable for small-batch trial production and flexible replenishment. Holographic anti-counterfeiting labels have higher plate making costs, but unit costs can drop to a few cents during mass production. Tamper-evident labels have the lowest cost but need to be used in combination with other anti-counterfeiting methods.

Enterprises should choose ordering plans based on expected usage. It is recommended to start with small to medium batches for the first customization and scale up production after verifying market feedback.

User Experience of Verification System Cannot Be Ignored

The end users of anti-counterfeiting labels are consumers. If the verification process is complex, the page loads slowly, or the feedback is unclear, consumers may give up scanning, and the value of the anti-counterfeiting system will be reduced.

A high-quality verification page should meet several conditions: results should be displayed within 1 second after scanning; verification results should be distinguished by color (green = genuine, red = suspicious); the page should be clean without ad interference; and quick access to product information and brand story should be provided.

It is recommended to conduct small-scale consumer testing before official production to verify the scanning rate and verification accuracy. The industry standard is that the initial scanning rate of label orders should not be less than 30%.

After-Sales Service and Technical Support

Anti-counterfeiting labels require continuous operation - subsequent additions of product batches, adjustments to verification pages, and additions of query channels may all require service provider cooperation. Choosing a supplier with continuous service capability is more important than simply comparing prices.

It is recommended to prioritize service providers that have both label printing and software development capabilities to avoid unclear responsibilities when printing and system are separately integrated.