Optical Q-ID® – Unbreakable Quantum Signatures Verified by Standard Smartphone

by Prof. Robert Young

Introduction of Optical Q-ID®

Through a mix of software and hardware solutions, the security printing industry has witnessed stellar technological advancements in its ability to successfully secure global documents, currency, identity and brands across an array of vast and differentiated markets. Central to this success has been a commitment by the industry to drive sustained, collaborative innovation through research and development using next-generation materials, technologies and their effective integration. This commitment has allowed the security print industry to work collaboratively to push technological boundaries, and in doing so has successfully protected central banks, governments, issuers, brand owners and their end users across the globe.

Quantum technologies have been lauded as an enabler of such next-generation solution thinking. As such, we present Optical Q-ID® from Quantum Base Limited as a simple, cost-effective solution to drive unbreakable document security through our simple integration of quantum technologies into existing modern print manufacturing processes.

At the atomic scale, everything is unique. We have created the patented hardware ability to print and manufacture, at scale, Q-ID® tags which have embedded quantum properties, creating natural nanoscale, macroscopic imperfections – in effect, endless unique quantum identities. We celebrate these natural imperfections, creating patented software capabilities to allow a smartphone, with no additional hardware, to read these unique “quantum signatures” from each tag in less than a second – making cloning and simulation impossible. In essence, Q-ID® is the world’s first quantum security technology, empowering all in global markets to be the custodians of their document and brand security, armed with nothing more than a smartphone.

Prof. Robert Young

Prof. Rob Young: Rob is the co-founder and chief scientist at Quantum Base Limited (QBL), and he is a full professor at Lancaster University, a leading research-led university in the UK. Rob has a passion for developing practical applications of quantum technologies. The last decade saw the beginning of another new generation of technology, one that is underpinned by the quantum nature of the devices. This technology will have a huge impact on our lives in many ways – QBL’s mission is to develop simple solutions to some of the biggest problems the world currently faces in information security.

Rob has degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge University, and he was a Royal Society Research Fellow for nine years. His twenty-year research career has been funded by the US Air Force, the Royal Society, and several government agencies in the UK and abroad, he has published more than 100 patents and research papers in leading journals, and he has won several awards for his work.

Introducing Diffractive Tax Stamp Paper

by Thomas Brücklmeier

Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG newly developed a tax label substrate to be deployed either for wet-glue or self-adhesive application.
By using the Diffractive Tax Stamp Paper, the production step of hologram application could be skipped; significantly reducing production times at the printing facilities.
In the future companies without foil application equipment could easier approach the tax stamp markets, too.
Certainly, our Diffractive Tax Stamp Paper can be serialised and personalised to suit the client’s needs.
This new look with a smooth metallic appearance is clearly visible to the public and definitely an eye catcher, serving as an integrated additional security feature.

Thomas Brücklmeier

Thomas has a background of 25 years in the security printing industry, starting out in EMV-card manufacturing and personalisation, moving on to ID-documents, visas, passports and tax stamps. He started his career in banking card manufacturing and personalization, later heading the international support department for ID-documents, Visas and Passports for an international security printing company. In 2002 he changed into sales with responsibility for the AMEA region. Working for a classical security printer thereafter, he got vast additional know-how and experience in the field of tax stamps. Early 2023 Thomas joined the company LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, being responsible for tax stamp projects worldwide.

So Many Features, So Little Space – A Novel Look at Multifunctional Security Features

by Stefaan D'hoore

Tax and Authentication stamps are found on an ever-increasing variety of products and have shrunk in size significantly over the past years. At the same time, the number of security features prescribed by legislatures have increased which leads to the need for multifunctional security features i.e. features that create security at the various level of authentication. This presentation will give an overview of the leading security features available today.

Stefaan D'hoore

Stefaan D’Hoore holds a Master in Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology at KU Leuven (Belgium). He joined SunChemical in 1998 where he held different management positions. Since 2008 Stefaan has been leading the Security Inks business at SunChemical. In 2016, Stefaan got promoted to Business Development Director and helped growing the security business to a multi-million business. After the acquisition of Luminescence and the creation of the Luminescence, SunChemical Security Division, Stefaan became Business Development Director Security Inks.

Stefaan has been involved in growing the tax stamp business at Luminescence, SunChemical Security and is currently working on the introduction of a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme for beverage containers.

Who Cares About the Brakes on a Ferrari? Why Prioritizing Quality Control in Your Production Line will Help You Down the Line

by Erwin Wagner

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So why does quality control not get the love it deserves in the world of revenue tax stamps? In this field, precision and quality are of the utmost importance, so we argue that putting QC front and center is vital.

Because overt serial numbers and barcodes on revenue tax stamps need to be human as well as machine readable. A good contrast between the background print and the barcode or serial number is of great importance.

The printable area, or ‘real estate’, on tax stamps is very limited. This provides design challenges especially if multiple different security features are to be applied as well. Adding covert features as an invisible layer can provide the additional area required to integrate multiple features on a small product. Covert serial numbers and barcodes can provide additional security.

Is quality control of covert features even more important than the inspection of visible features? State-of-the-art quality control solutions don’t only assure that all print features are present, in the correct position, and without flaws. They also create special reports and data files. This data can be used to improve production, reduce waste, avoid future issues, and track the stamps through the finishing and packing process. The data files can become the basis of a unique and reliable track and trace solution.

Erwin Wagner

Erwin Wagner is the Global Sales Manager for Security Print at Baldwin Americas Corporation. Educated in both Europe and the USA, Erwin worked as an Electronic Engineer in Germany developing software for automatic production lines, robots and robotic vision systems. Returning to the US in 1991, Erwin began his career in Security Print as a Support and Development Engineer for Camera Based Quality Control Systems. His most notable achievement was the design and development of the world’s fastest Document Imaging Scanner in 1999. Erwin Wagner is the Global Sales Manager for Security Print at Baldwin Americas Corporation. Educated in both Europe and the USA, Erwin worked as an Electronic Engineer in Germany developing software for automatic production lines, robots and robotic vision systems. Returning to the US in 1991, Erwin began his career in Security Print as a Support and Development Engineer for Camera Based Quality Control Systems. His most notable achievement was the design and development of the world’s fastest Document Imaging Scanner in 1999.