Curtis Packaging has confirmed its cp3 (Certified Protected Print Provider) certification from Koenig & Bauer’s Vision & Protection, becoming, according to the company, the first printer in the US able to embed invisible security features directly into product packaging inline during the printing process, in a move aimed at better serving its luxury packaging customers.
“We are proud to offer the very first brand protection program in the US to our well-known luxury packaging customers,” says Kerry Brown, chief operating officer at Curtis. “After a thorough technical review, we’ve earned the cp3 certification that confirms our proven expertise in product protection with state-of-the-art technologies from Koenig & Bauer and ability to offer the industry’s protection solution.”
The cp3 certification program transfers the ability to utilize protection technologies and consult customers in their choice for invisible protection technology to embed data, codes, or logos directly into printed artwork or varnish during the prepress stage. Even under strong magnification, the codes remain hidden to the naked eye and do not affect the original design. The data can be decoded offline via a smartphone app, which optically analyzes the printed image and extracts the hidden information.
Stegano technology, one of the program’s specialized technologies, is used to discreetly integrate information into the printed representation of a product or packaging by incorporating an additional secured layer of information. Anyone, whether end user, reseller, or manufacturer, if released by the legitimate owner, can call up and decode the information using a simple mobile application, making it easier to verify the authenticity of a product and confirm it is an original. Products are marked securely and discreetly in order to authenticate and track them.
“We have forged a strong partnership with Koenig & Bauer for 30 years. We rely on Koenig & Bauer to work together with us collectively and collaboratively in supporting our customers,” says Brown. “This new certification program protects our brand customers against counterfeiting and enables complete and easy product authentication. Adopting this new solution has enabled us to transition with our brand owners in offering holistic direct protection solutions.”