Offset Printing

Toppan Printing develops a new counterfeit prevention tool using a special embossing prepress technique that enables latent images which cannot be seen with the naked eye to be hidden in graphics

Tuesday 19. February 2008 - Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi; hereafter Toppan Printing) has developed a technology that enables latent images which cannot be seen with the naked eye to be concealed in areas with embossed graphics using a "special embossing prepress technique".

On December 17, 2007, Toppan Printing began sales of products using the technology as a counterfeit prevention tool. These include securities such as gift and stock certificates, certificates of authenticity for luxury items such as gems and precious metals, and the packaging of luxury goods and premiums. Toppan also plans to actively pursue sales in overseas markets, where there is great demand for counterfeit prevention tools.

The “special embossing prepress technique” is a technology developed independently by Toppan Printing that adds texture to paper using a special embossing plate and enables the production of fine and diverse lettering and graphics.

Up until now, a similar special embossing prepress technique has been used to produce latent lettering or graphics that appear when the viewing angle is changed. However, now a technology has been established to enable latent images which cannot be seen with the naked eye to be concealed in graphics created using embossing. If a special sheet for determining authenticity is placed over the embossed area, then the latent image can be seen.

Special equipment is needed for manufacture and since the latent image is not visible with the naked eye, the risk of the image itself being forged is reduced. Since the technique can now be used on regular paper, it has also become easy to expand its use to various fields including financial institutions, distribution and retail.


If the special authenticating sheet is placed over the embossed section (left), the latent image of the “S” is visible (right)
Copyright 2008 TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.

Background
-Since the performance of items such as scanners and color printers has improved significantly in recent times and they can be used by anyone at convenience stores or in the home, it has become easy to counterfeit printed items.
-In order to prevent a loss of trust in corporate and commercial brands, there is a growing market need for counterfeit prevention technologies that make copying using scanners and color printers impossible.

Features
-Highly effective counterfeit prevention can be expected due to the ability to conceal a latent image that cannot be seen with the naked eye in graphics that have been produced using embossing.
-Counterfeiting is not possible using scanners or printers, which cannot copy the rough texture that has been applied to the paper.
-The technology can be used for regular paper and color printed paper.
-Patent pending.

Main applications
-Securities such as gift and stock certificates
-Certificates of authenticity for luxury goods such as gems and precious metals -Packaging for luxury goods and premiums
*Sales will also be pursued outside Japan, where there is great demand.

Selling price
-Prepress: 350,000 yen
-Working plate: Around 200,000 yen
*Printing fee to be charged separately.

Target
Toppan is aiming for the technology to be introduced at 20 companies by FY2010.

Future plans
Toppan Printing will use the numerous prepress technologies it has cultivated over many years of securities printing to develop even more sophisticated and higher quality counterfeit prevention technologies.