What is it?
Microtext or microprinting is a printed security feature which reproduces human-readable/understandable graphical elements at a scale so small that they cannot be seen without a magnification device.
How do you detect it?
Microtext detection is performed with the naked eye and some kind of optical magnification device, such as a magnifying glass. The user has to be aware of the presence of the feature and needs proper training to find it.
How does it work?
Today, the progress of printing technologies and the increase in printing resolution allows the printing of graphical elements and text which are so small that they cannot be seen by the unaided human eye. This can be exploited as a security feature, as simple copies of the printouts do not replicate the microstructures.
What do we think about this technology?
Microtext is an outdated feature, given the availability of digital scanning/printing of hardware for over 20 years. It is easy to copy but requires some expertise to recognize. That said, it adds absolutely nothing to the packaging production cost, can be deployed easily worldwide and is minimally invasive visually.
If this feature is already being used, it makes sense to keep it (since it costs nothing); however, adding Cryptoglyph® will provide true security and make it much easier to detect counterfeits.
Field of application
Banknotes, identity documents, packaging, labels and pharmaceutical products.
