Common concerns related to imitation countermeasures and brand management:

• Counterfeit brand-name products (counterfeits with a company or brand logo on them) are being sold.
• Counterfeits are being distributed in genuine product containers or packages.
• I want to implement countermeasures against imitations using a method that is very easy for consumers to understand.
• I am looking for a way to easily distinguish between imitations and genuine products.

Illumigram™
- Easy authenticity verification using a smartphone's flashlight –

Illumigram™ is a hologram technology developed by TOPPAN that enables authenticity verification using a smartphone's flashlight. Illumigram™ makes clear text or patterns appear only when a strong point-source light, such as a smartphone's flashlight, is shone on them. This effect makes authenticity easy to verify by shining a light on the label. If text appears, the product is genuine. If no text appears, the product is fake. Due to the prevalence of smartphones among general consumers, people without expert knowledge can also easily verify authenticity using the same criteria.

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Illumigram™ development background

Traditional holograms had one of two functions to confirm authenticity: visual verification using pattern changes, etc., or instrument-based verification using simple instruments. However, thanks to the development of the new Illumigram™ holograms, which have both of the above effects, anyone can easily verify authenticity using readily available items (such as smartphones). There is no need to distribute verification instruments, and even general consumers can easily verify authenticity using the same criteria.

Illumigram™ introductory video

Illumigram™ use cases

Case 1: Product authenticity verification for a cosmetics company

Especially with cosmetics and other products that come into direct contact with the skin, there is a serious risk of imitations and inferior products adversely affecting human health, so it is essential to take robust countermeasures to protect consumers. By introducing Illumigram™, general consumers can verify authenticity on their own when making a purchase, which allows for the protection of both customers and brands.

Case 2: Licensing proof in character merchandising

In character merchandising industries, etc., rights are asserted by attaching certificates of authenticity (stickers) that prove that products are licensed, but there are cases where the certificates of authenticity themselves end up getting counterfeited. Introducing difficult-to-counterfeit Illumigram™ certificates of authenticity enables more reliable assertion of rights and helps to recover lost profits.

Illumigram™ features

• 1

  Authenticity can be verified using a smartphone's LED flashlight.

  While patterns do not appear under normal natural light, this new patented technology achieves an effect whereby three-dimensional images can only be confirmed when illuminated by a strong point-source light such as a smartphone's flashlight. This enables anyone to easily and clearly verify a product's authenticity just by shining a smartphone's flashlight and seeing if text appears or not.

  

• 2

  The patterns that appear follow the movement of the light.

  The three-dimensional images that appear will move according to the movement of the light source. This enables more intuitive authenticity verification.

• 3

  Illumigram™ can be combined with other holograms and authenticity verification services.

  Illumigram™ can be combined with conventional holograms that have clearly visible text and images. This enables the provision of holograms that deliver both outstanding designability and easy authenticity verification. To enable even higher design quality and multiple methods of confirmation, it can also be fused with TOPPAN's existing hologram manufacturing technologies that have been cultivated to this day, such as grating, which has a rainbow-colored sparkling effect, as well as S-White, which reverses negative and positive parts of images when the hologram is rotated 90 degrees. These combinations can make products difficult to counterfeit.

  

Price and schedule

The price and schedule differ depending on the requirements.

Steps toward introduction

Using the extensive experience and know-how we cultivated over many years, we can propose reliable counterfeit/imitation prevention technologies.

• STEP 1: Planning and consideration
  1. Grasp of the counterfeit and imitation distribution situation
  2. Grasp of points of contact with consumers and users, etc.
• STEP 2: Detail and estimate consideration
  1. Finalization of specifications
  2. Estimate, etc.
• STEP 3: Order
  1. Official order procedure, etc.
• STEP 4: Design
  1. Basic label design, processing, etc.
• STEP 5: Delivery
  1. Label attachment

Frequently
asked questions

• QHow does this differ from other holograms?
  AThe key point is that smartphone flashlights and similar "tools" can be utilized by general consumers to verify authenticity. Traditional holograms had only one of two functions: professional visual verification, which does not use instruments, or instrument-based verification, which requires dedicated instruments held only by those concerned to verify authenticity. In contrast, Illumigram™ has the advantages of both, enabling anyone to verify authenticity based on clear criteria.
• QWhat are TOPPAN's strengths in terms of authenticity verification?
  AWe have been involved in the fight against imitations for many years, and we have earned the trust of many companies as a result of our advanced security technologies, which are used for vouchers, passports, and similar applications, as well as the track record of their extensive use in a wide range of industries. We can customize technologies according to the challenges you face.
• QAre there any restrictions on introducing authenticity verification technologies?
  AWe propose optimal holograms, special inks, plate making technologies, etc., based on the respective shapes and materials of packaging (paper containers or flexible packaging), paper, labels, etc. In addition, we can customize technology introduction according to your needs and budget.
• QDo you accept specific design requests such as company logos?
  AYes. We also offer general-purpose designs, but we recommend original designs for security reasons. Our specialized security design team makes proposals that take the compatibility between technologies and designs, as well as any synergistic security effects, into consideration.

*Note: Regulations differ depending on the country, so we may be unable to conduct sales of this solution outside of Japan.