Make authenticity visible

Optical security features for product appeal and visual authentication

Original products should be easy to recognize, trusted by customers and difficult to imitate. KURZ SCRIBOS helps brands add customized optical security features to products, labels, documents or packaging surfaces, creating a recognizable authenticity feature directly where customers and market partners interact with the product.

These features combine visual appeal with product authentication. They create defined optical effects that react to light, movement and viewing angle, allowing users to check whether the security feature behaves as expected. This supports product authentication for consumers, retailers, partners, customs teams and inspectors while strengthening product appearance, shelf differentiation and brand recognition.

Depending on the application, optical security features can also be combined with digital authentication. Users can verify products via smartphone, while brands gain authentication data and additional market visibility through SCRIBOS 360.

Why visible authenticity matters

Counterfeiters often copy what customers see first: logos, colors, labels, design details and visual finishing effects. When original products do not include a clear authenticity marker, counterfeit products can appear convincing at first glance.

This creates uncertainty in the market. Consumers may not know whether a product is genuine. Retailers and partners may lack a fast way to check products at the point of sale. Brand protection teams may need more effort to identify suspicious products when no clear visual reference exists.

Optical security features help address this challenge by giving original products a controlled, brand-specific security element. The feature provides a recognizable reference that helps users distinguish genuine products from visually similar copies, while supporting product appeal.

For brands, this means product enhancement and brand protection can work together. The security feature does not have to interrupt the design. It can become part of the product’s visual identity.

Risks when authenticity is not easy to recognize

When products are easy to imitate visually, the risk goes beyond counterfeit sales. It can affect brand perception, customer trust, retail confidence and the ability to respond quickly to suspicious products.

Risks for brands

Products without a distinctive authenticity cue can create risks such as:

Counterfeit products appearing similar to genuine products
Weaker differentiation at the point of sale
Damage to premium brand perception and customer trust
More difficult checks for retailers, partners or inspectors

Risks for consumers and market partners

Consumers, retailers, customs teams and distribution partners may also be affected when product authenticity is not easy to recognize:

Uncertainty about whether a product is genuine
Difficulty identifying copied or manipulated products
Reduced confidence in product quality and origin

An optical security feature gives different user groups a shared reference point. If the original product includes a defined optical effect, users can check whether the feature reacts as expected.

How KURZ SCRIBOS helps make authenticity visible

Create customized optical security features

KURZ SCRIBOS develops optical security features that can be adapted to the product, brand identity, design environment and required security level.

Depending on the application, the visual effect can include color shifts, movement effects, depth effects, contrast changes, surface relief impressions and other optical effects that respond to light or movement.

The feature can be designed as a strong visual highlight or as a more discreet brand element. In both cases, it supports product recognition and gives users a visual reference for authenticity checks.

Support visual authentication at a glance

Optical security features allow users to check authenticity directly at the product. They do not need to interpret complex technical information or use specialized equipment. Instead, they can look at how the feature behaves when the product is tilted, moved or viewed under changing light.

This makes visual authentication practical for different situations:

Consumers can recognize a visible authenticity cue
Retailers can check products quickly at the point of sale
Distribution partners can verify products during handling
Customs teams and inspectors can use the feature as a first visual reference
Brand protection experts can rely on additional security levels when deeper checks are needed

The product does not only carry a decorative element. It carries a defined visual behavior that can support product authentication.

Match the security level to the target group

Different target groups require different verification methods. A consumer needs a feature that is easy to understand. A retailer, customs officer, or market partner may need additional features that are more difficult to imitate. A brand protection expert may require deeper verification options for investigation.

KURZ SCRIBOS optical security concepts can support different levels of verification, including:

Overt features for visual checks with the naked eye
Covert features for trained users, partners, customs or authorities
Forensic features for product owners or expert investigation

This layered approach allows brands to combine intuitive visual authentication with stronger verification options for professional use.

Fit the feature to the product and application

Every product, market, and brand environment is different. Optical security features should therefore be selected according to the specific use case.

Relevant factors include:

Product category and value
Counterfeiting risk
Target group for authentication
Required level of visibility
Brand design and visual identity
Application surface
Production process
Market and distribution structure
Need for digital authentication or scan data

Depending on the selected solution, optical security features can be applied through established processes such as hot stamping, cold transfer or label-based application. This allows the feature to be planned around the product design, production environment and security requirements.

Add digital authentication where needed

For some products, visual authentication is sufficient as a first step. Other products require a digital layer that enables smartphone-based verification, scan data, and customer interaction.
Optical security can therefore be combined with digital authentication.

With solutions such as TRUSTSEAL^® ID, the visual security feature can be connected with a unique digital identifier. Users can verify products via smartphone without a dedicated app, while brands can access authentication data through SCRIBOS 360.

This combines immediate visual authentication with digital product verification in a single solution. The product becomes visually recognizable and digitally verifiable. Each scan can also contribute to market visibility, helping brands identify where products are checked and where suspicious activity may emerge.

A solution designed around the product

The right optical security concept depends on the product, the surface, the target group and the required security level. KURZ SCRIBOS supports brands in selecting and designing a feature that fits the existing product appearance, can be verified in everyday market situations and can be expanded with digital authentication where needed.

Make authenticity visible with KURZ SCRIBOS

Counterfeiters often copy the visible appearance of a product. A customized optical security feature gives genuine products a recognizable visual reference and helps consumers, retailers and market partners check authenticity directly at the product.

With KURZ SCRIBOS, brands can combine product appeal, visual authentication, and optional digital verification in a solution tailored to their products, production environment, and security requirements. The result is a security feature that supports the brand appearance while making original products easier to recognize.

Talk to our
security experts

Get in touch with us to discuss which optical security concept best fits your product, production environment, and brand protection strategy.

Book an appointment

FAQ – Make authenticity visible

What are optical security features?

Optical security features are visible security elements that react to light, movement and viewing angle. They help users check whether a product carries the expected original security feature.

How do optical security features make authenticity visible?

They create a defined visual effect directly on the product, label, document or packaging surface. When the product is tilted or moved, users can check whether the feature behaves as expected.

Are optical security features only decorative?

No. They can support product appeal, but their main purpose is authentication. They provide a visual reference that helps consumers, retailers and partners recognize genuine products more easily.

Where can optical security features be applied?

Depending on the selected solution and application, optical security features can be applied to products, labels, documents or packaging surfaces using suitable industrial processes.

Who can verify optical security features?

Consumers can check visible effects with the naked eye. Retailers, customs teams, inspectors or brand protection experts can use additional verification levels, depending on the security concept.

Can optical security features be customized?

Yes. Optical security features can be adapted to the brand design, product type, application surface, required visibility, and security level.

Can optical security be combined with digital authentication?

Yes. Optical security can be combined with digital authentication, for example to combine visual authentication with smartphone-based product verification.

What is the benefit of adding a digital layer?

A digital layer can support smartphone-based authentication and generate scan data. This gives brands additional visibility where products are being checked and where suspicious activity may appear.

When should brands use optical security features?

Optical security features are especially relevant when products need strong visual recognition, premium appeal, and an easy-to-recognize authenticity feature directly at the product.

How does KURZ SCRIBOS support brands with optical security?

KURZ SCRIBOS helps brands select, design and implement optical security features based on the product, risk scenario, target group, and required authentication level.