Explore Angstrom Technologies Inc.’s fluorescent pigment solutions for labeling and brand security.
Luxury brands face an extraordinary threat from global counterfeiting. As the market for high-value goods grows, so do the risks to brand reputation, consumer safety, and revenue. The good news? This large-scale issue can be resolved at the small scale with fluorescent pigments.
Angstrom Technologies Inc. stands at the forefront of anti-counterfeiting innovations. We offer advanced fluorescent pigment solutions that empower luxury brands to protect their products and ensure authenticity. In this guide, we share how this technology gives brands an invisible (covert) advantage against counterfeiters.
The Counterfeit Crisis in Global Luxury Goods
In 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reported the following:
“The global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately USD 467 billion, or 2.3% of global imports. This absolute value represents an increase from 2019, when counterfeit trade was estimated at USD 464 billion.”
This staggering figure continues to rise. Luxury consumables–such as fine wines, spirits, and gourmet foods–are among the most targeted categories. Counterfeit products erode brand value and consumer trust. Beyond that, they introduce significant safety risks, especially in regulated industries like beverages and cosmetics.
Emerging threats in global exports are particularly high in markets with high demand for premium products. Alcohol, cosmetics, and gourmet food brands are all vulnerable. As counterfeiters exploit supply chain gaps and packaging security flaws, the stakes are high. Brand protection has never been more important–or more complex.
So, how can you safeguard your products? The answer is right in front of you: your product label. With fluorescent pigments, you can stay ahead of the counterfeiting curve. Counterfeiters can’t replicate these unique, invisible pigments in your label.
Leveraging Labels as the First Line of Defense
Labels are more than just a branding tool. They’re critical proof of authenticity. By integrating invisible pigments and taggants into product labels, you can distinguish genuine products from fakes. This best part? These unseen pigments mean you don’t have to alter your iconic design.
How Do Fluorescent Pigments Work?
Invisible fluorescent pigments are undetectable under normal lighting conditions. When scanned under specific UV wavelengths, they become visible. This covert technology provides seamless security for labels, overcoats, and even adhesives. Keep reading to discover five security benefits of fluorescent pigments.
1. Combat Counterfeits With Covert UV Fluorescence
Invisible UV fluorescent pigments can be printed as barcodes, QR codes, or unique product markers. These features allow for:
Covert, Customizable Labeling
Invisible to the naked eye, these pigments don’t interfere with product design or branding. Our custom solutions support brands across a range of industries with the best fluorescent pigments in the market.
Versatile Authentication
Verification is quick and reliable using handheld UV devices. Smartphone-based readers are also becoming increasingly popular.
Durable Engineering
Angstrom Technologies Inc.’s pigments are formulated to be lightfast, heat-resistant, and moisture(chemically)-stable. This ensures security features remain intact even in extreme conditions. This is ideal for outdoor products, refrigerated items, or goods exposed to variable climates.
Use Case: Wine and BBQ sauce labels have limited space. Plus, overt security features can detract from the product’s visible appeal. Covert fluorescent pigments deliver security with no impact on design.
2. Optically Variable Pigments for Visual Verification
Optically variable pigments (OVPs) offer a visually dynamic security feature. The color shifts depending on the viewing angle. Here are some of the benefits:
- Optically variable pigments are extremely difficult to replicate. They provide an immediate visual cue for first-layer security and authentication.
- OVPs add visual intrigue, reinforcing a brand’s premium status. This aesthetic appeal resonates with customers and protects your product.
- Recent advancements allow chemical engineers to develop incredibly tiny OVPs–only micrometers in size. This makes them suitable for digital printing and reduces production costs.
Ideal For: High-end cosmetics and mineral water brands seeking both security and shelf appeal.
3. Layered Security With Shortwave and Longwave Fluorescence
Combining multiple excitation wavelengths allows for a tiered approach to authentication. A multi-wavelength approach builds several barriers against counterfeits and provides more flexible options.
How Multi-Layer Fluorescent Pigments Work
Fluorescent pigments are engineered to respond to specific UV wavelengths:
- Shortwave fluorescence is UV-C, typically 254 nanometers.
- Longwave fluorescence is UV-A, typically 365 nanometers. (365nm)
By incorporating both into product levels, you create multiple “checkpoints” for verification. Each pigment formulation is unique and only reveals its signature color pattern under its designated wavelength.
This means a label displays one set of features under longwave UV and a completely different set under shortwave UV. The result? A product label that is extremely difficult to replicate, even for the most determined counterfeiters.
Benefits to Luxury Brands
- Manufacturers can use handheld UV lamps or automated scanners for in-house quality control. It’s simple to verify that both pigment types are present during production and packaging.
- Customs officials and supply chain partners can quickly authenticate goods at multiple points. This ensures that only genuine products move through the supply chain.
- Brands can even empower trusted retailers or end-users with simple UV tools. This adds another layer of confidence.
Common Applications of Multi-Layer Pigments
Multi-layer fluorescent pigments work well across a range of industries. Here are some common use cases:
- Exported shoe tags for footwear brands shipping to international markets.
- Compliance labels for pharmaceuticals, electronics, and high-value consumables.
- Products entering regulated markets, such as alcohol, cosmetics, and agricultural goods.
With layered fluorescence, luxury brands can implement a smart, scalable defense that adapts to evolving threats. This ensures that products remain secure from production to the point of sale.
4. Multi-Tier Authentication Pigments for Export Compliance
Our multi-tier authentication solutions combine overt and covert pigments for comprehensive protection. Overt features include color-shifting and optically variable pigments. Covert, on the other hand, includes pigments that are only visible under UV or infrared light. This strategy:
- Meets international standards to comply with import/export regulations.
- Navigates counterfeit hotspots in regions with particularly high counterfeit activity.
- Empowers a customizable security strategy for evolving brand needs.
Why Multi-Tier Security Matters
Export compliance is a critical concern for brands shipping high-value goods across borders. Regulatory bodies often require proof of product authenticity and traceability. This prevents diversion, unauthorized resale, or entry into restricted markets.
Customizable for Global Markets
Angstrom Technologies Inc. can tailor pigment combinations to address the specific needs of each export destination. For example, a product destined for a high-risk transshipment hub might need additional markers or unique pigment signatures.
Typical Applications
- Pharmaceutical packaging that requires serialization and multi-layer authentication.
- Alcohol and cannabis products for export to regions with strict import controls.
- Agricultural product tags for regulated international trade.
5. Smart Label Integration for Brand Protection and Shelf Appeal
Smart label integration utilizes fluorescent pigments to deliver advanced security and traceability, all while preserving the premium look and feel of luxury packaging. This approach merges physical and digital security for a holistic defense against counterfeiting.
How It Works
Fluorescent pigments can be embedded in labels, overcoats, or adhesives. These pigments are compatible with modern track-and-trace systems. These integrate with QR codes, RFID tags, or blockchain-based authentication platforms.
Empowering Traceability for Luxury Brands
Each product can be assigned a unique, pigment-based identifier. This marker is readable at every stage of the supply chain, from manufacturing to retail. Retailers, distributors, and even customers can authenticate in real time. Pigment-based smart labels can also be linked to digital records. This supports compliance and simplifies any recall or audit processes that may come up.
Ideal Applications
- Luxury cosmetics where shelf appeal and security are equally important.
- High-value electronics and accessories with global distribution networks.
- Premium beverages and gourmet foods that need subtle but strong anti-counterfeit measures.
With smart fluorescent pigments, luxury brands can achieve a new standard for product security and consumer confidence–all without compromising on design or operational efficiency.
A Deep Dive Into Advanced Pigment Applications
Our pigments and dyes can be used across a diverse range of products. Let’s examine how our products provide the benefits of traceability and authenticity in product labeling, tax stamps, and more.
The Role of Tax Stamps in Brand Protection
Tax stamps are a frontline defense for luxury brands in industries vulnerable to counterfeiting, such as tobacco, alcohol, and high-end goods. These stamps ensure compliance with government regulations and prevent counterfeiting using advanced pigment technologies.
Modern tax stamps use a combination of physical and digital security elements. Physical features–such as holograms, optically active inks, and tamper-evident adhesives–are designed to be visually distinctive and difficult to replicate.
Secure Labeling for Wine and Liquor Label Makers
Wine and liquor label makers face increasing threats from counterfeiters, risking consumer safety and brand reputation. Layered, advanced pigment strategies are needed to authenticate genuine products and differentiate them from fakes.
Holograms and Smart Tags
Security holograms are often combined with unique QR codes or serial numbers. They provide both overt and covert protection. These features are nearly impossible to reproduce and can be instantly verified using a smartphone. Smart tags that combine visible and invisible inks fortify security even further. They also enable interactive customer engagement and robust track-and-trace functionality.
Protecting the Rapidly Growing Cannabis Labeling and Packaging Industry
With the legalization of marijuana in many states, cannabis labeling and packaging have become prime targets for counterfeiters. Illicit products undermine legitimate businesses and pose significant health risks to consumers.
Tamper-Evident and Track-and-Trace Solutions
Implementing pigments for holograms, tamper-evident seals, and unique identifiers is critical for cannabis brands. These features make it easy to identify fakes and detect tampering or unauthorized refilling. Track-and-trace technology, enabled by serialized codes and secure pigments, ensures every product meets regulatory compliance and safety standards.
Consumer Education and Brand Trust
Educating consumers about security features empowers them to verify product authenticity themselves. This transparency builds brand loyalty and helps cannabis brands stand out in a crowded market. Angstrom Technologies Inc. specializes in these solutions. When you partner with us, you’ll experience the best security features for staying ahead of counterfeiters.
The Angstrom Technologies Inc. Advantage
Angstrom Technologies Inc. brings over 30 years of expertise in security pigments and dyes. We’re trusted by luxury brands, governments, and other organizations worldwide. Here’s what to expect when you work with us:
- Proven Track Record: We have decades of successful partnerships across industries, from secure documents to luxury consumer goods.
- Custom Solutions: We collaborate with ink suppliers and formulation specialists to develop luminescent taggants and inks for any application.
- Dual Manufacturing: Facilities in the United States and India ensure regional compliance, rapid delivery, and cost effectiveness.
- Innovation-Driven: We continuously invest in research and development to keep our solutions ahead of evolving counterfeiting threats.
- Comprehensive Support: From master batching and extrusion to fluorescence spectroscopy, our team provides end-to-end service and support.
Why Choose Us?
When luxury brands need to protect their reputation, revenue, and customers, they turn to Angstrom Technologies Inc. Our industry-leading fluorescent pigment solutions deliver layered protection, visual impact, and peace of mind. Whether you need invisible security features or visually striking OVPs, we’ve got you covered.
Connect With Our Labeling Security Experts
Ready to secure your product line? Reach out to Angstrom Technologies Inc. for fluorescent pigments that set the standard in anti-counterfeiting and brand protection.