Laser security vs. 2D barcodes

In this article, we compare the costs, the advantages and disadvantages, and the appropriate applications of laser security printing and traditional 2D barcode printing.From the perspectives of production investment, anti-counterfeiting effectiveness, and long-term maintenance, the article helps companies choose the appropriate solution based on budget and needs. Keywords include laser anti-counterfeiting costs, QR code printing, and anti-counterfeiting technology.

Why do companies need to be concerned about anti-counterfeiting costs?

Whether for the product itself or for its packaging, anti-counterfeiting is an essential part of brand protection.But when many businesses choose between laser anti-counterfeiting and traditional printing of QR codes, they often get bogged down in the question of which is more cost-effective.Today we will look at the costs of each, and discuss which solution is most suitable for which application.

Initial investment costs.

Laser holography: High entry barrier but long-term stability.

The equipment and technical requirements for laser holograms are quite high.A complete laser marking machine can cost over NT $ 100,000, and requires a skilled operator.But once production has begun, the unit cost will fall sharply as the volume of production grows.For example, for orders of less than 1000 pieces, the price may be NT $ 1-2 per label, but for orders of 10,000 pieces or more, the price can be as low as NT $ 0.3 per label.

Traditional printing: Flexible, but with high material costs.

The initial investment for traditional bar codes is much more friendly.A basic inkjet printer costs just a few thousand NT dollars, and digital printing can support customized small runs.But the prices of inks and paper, both consumable materials, are easily affected by market fluctuations.For example, with paper prices rising during the epidemic, the unit cost of a single product has risen from NT $ 0.1 to NT $ 0.15, and there are many such examples.

Long-term hidden costs.

Maintenance costs are often overlooked.

The equipment needs regular maintenance, and the cost of replacing the optical lenses can be over NT $ 10,000 per year.While printing equipment is easy to maintain, frequent replacement of the nozzles or ink systems can also lead to unexpected costs.I suggest that companies budget for depreciation and maintenance on an annual basis.

The risk of the anti-counterfeiting mechanism failing.

Traditional printing of QR codes is easy to replicate, and if there is a large-scale counterfeiting operation, the brand's losses could be much greater than the cost of the anti-counterfeiting measures.One cosmetics brand once saw its return rate shoot up 17 % in three months after its QR code was counterfeited.And there have been no successful attempts at counterfeiting laser holograms.

How do you choose so you don't waste money?

Look at product positioning.

I would suggest that high-end liquor and luxury goods companies use laser holograms as a counterfeit deterrent. The damage that counterfeit goods can do to a brand is far higher than the cost of the technology.For fast-moving consumer goods or low-priced products, traditional printing is a more cost-effective option. When combined with a dynamic verification system, it can also meet basic anti-counterfeiting needs.

Calculate the length of the payment period.

If you plan to make long-term use of an anti-counterfeiting label, the laser technology's marginal cost advantage will gradually become apparent.However, for short-term promotional activities, labels can be made on demand with traditional printing technology, which is more flexible.

Don't ignore the user experience.

Consumers are becoming more and more demanding in terms of anti-counterfeiting.The tactile feel of holographic labels is more likely to inspire consumer trust than the printed QR codes.When a certain brand of baby products switched to laser anti-counterfeiting, the number of official verifications rose 40 %, a reflection of consumer preferences.