Some 20 local printers were at the HP Indigo Brand Protection Solution conference in Singapore, which was highlighting security printing options on the narrow web HP Indigo presses for the fast growing market.
As counterfeiting becomes a huge activity across the region the opportunities for print businesses who can provide anti-counterfeiting measures to brands are increasing exponentially. According to HP, brand protection is one of the fastest growing sectors in print industry today.
Globally it is believed counterfeiting is $1.2 trillion business, with projections for that figure to increase by 50 per cent in the next five years.
Mark Daws, director labels and packaging at HP Indigo's ANZ supplier Currie Group, who was at the conference said, “Fully 30 per cent of all alcohol for instance across south east Asia is counterfeit, together with a rapidly rising percentage of pharmaceuticals. The Singapore event showed local print businesses where the opportunities are to be found and how to address the needs of brands.”
The event included a host of third party developers who have been working with HP Indigo to produce security options. These include traceable inks, unique coding, and unique UV inks among others.
Daws said, “Label and narrow web printers that can offer their clients innovative brand protection solutions will clearly have an attractive proposition. The security summit highlighted the opportunities that are now available for narrow web HP Indigo press users. HP and its third party partners are developing some phenomenal solutions, which printers can take to market for brand protection."
Aussie printers at the event also took the opportunity to check out the latest HP Indigo labels and packaging platforms at the regional HP Centre of Excellence, including the HP Indigo 20000 and HP Indigo 6900 Digital Presses.