What Can You do to Protect Against Counterfeits?
In many ways, the advent of internet sales a few decades ago was a boon to the dietary supplement industry; unfortunately, third-party retail channels like Amazon have also provided a fruitful way for counterfeits to enter the market.
In 2023 many larger supplement brands like yours discovered counterfeit products being sold on Amazon, according to ConsumerLab.com.
How can you combat these false versions of your product? From security measures printed directly on your label to custom variable data options, Inovar Packaging Group is here to help defend your product against counterfeits.
We will help secure your product against counterfeits
The cost associated with purchases of counterfeit supplement products are impossible to access–while a dollar value can be attributed for the inauthentic items purchased, the loss of consumer trust is much harder to measure and recoup. The best way to protect your product is to include security features in your label that both deter would-be counterfeiters and alert consumers to counterfeit product immediately. Here are three ways we can help you against counterfeit products.
1. VARIABLE DATA & CUSTOM CODES
One of the best ways to defend against counterfeit products is to utilize technologies fraudulent purveyors looking to turn a quick profit would never invest in. Scannable codes like QR codes are one way to allow your customers to verify the product they’re purchasing is legitimate. Of course, a generic QR code leading to your website can be replicated, but we have the capabilities to print unique scannable codes for every individual product label, enabling a level of security for your product that can’t be matched.
By printing variable data codes on your labels, you will be able to guarantee the validity of your product to your customers. You will deter counterfeiters from even trying to enter the market with your product. As an added benefit, you will also have a unique opportunity to connect with your customers on a deeper level and possibly entice them to join your loyalty program.
2. BLACK LIGHT ADDITIVES & CAST AND CURE™
While maintaining the data for variable data scannable codes will add some cost to your labels, black light additives are a low-cost security feature. Inovar Packaging Group can add an optical brightener additive into coatings that indicate if the label is genuine or not when put under a black light. You could also apply this selectively on the label to create patterns or words that only appear when under black light.
Cast and Cure™ is a process that is created by the use of specialty film and UV coatings. The result is a holographic look. The specialty film is available in a number of patterns designed to enhance your label. Design-wise, the film can be applied over the entire label for high visual impact or in smaller, more select areas as an accent to existing artwork. Because these materials are hard to obtain and the feature is difficult to reproduce, this is a great option to deter counterfeiters who would have a hard time replicating the special effect.
3. MICROTEXT
Adding Microtext, also known as Microprinting, is a way to add anti-counterfeiting features without high added cost. Microtext is a microscopic area of text printed on a label. The text is extremely small and illegible to the naked eye but visible under magnification. Words, phrases, sequential numbers, part numbers and more can be printed in one or multiple locations on a label to prevent recreation. Because this is very difficult to replicate, Microtext can be an invaluable way for supplement companies to maintain the authenticity of their products.
