High-Security Printing: Innovations in Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies and Optical Variable Pigments

May 18, 2026

Demand for advanced security pigments in banknotes, government documents, negotiable securities, and high-value packaging continues to grow — driven by increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting methods and the need for multi-layered, visually verifiable authentication. According to Smithers' market report The Future of Anti-Counterfeiting, Brand Protection and Security Packaging to 2029, optical variable pigments (OVPs) are specifically identified as a growing component within these multi-layered security systems.

We have been supplying effect pigments into safety printing applications for over two decades. Below is a focused overview of the pigment series we currently offer for high-security printing, along with their technical characteristics and application scope.

Chromashift Optical Variable Pigments (OVP)

Our Chromashift pigments are angle-dependent color-shifting materials — the perceived color changes measurably as the viewing angle shifts. This optical variable effect is difficult to replicate with standard printing inks or digital reproduction, making Chromashift a practical choice for overt anti-counterfeiting features.

Applications: High-security printing of banknotes and negotiable securities; gravure printing on tobacco and alcohol packaging, cosmetic packaging, and food composite bag film. When used in gravure Chromashift ink formulations (approximately 20% pigment loading), the recommended substrate is dark-colored — black delivers the strongest optical variable contrast.

Particle size availability: 5–25 µm (finer grades suited for printing) and 10–60 µm. Available color-shift pairs include:

Product Code	Color Shift	Particle Size
KT-K12125	Red / Yellow	5–25 µm
KT-K15225	Green / Red	5–25 µm
KT-K13125	Purple / Yellow	5–25 µm
KT-K15325	Green / Purple	5–25 µm
KT-K15716	Green / Orange	10–60 µm
KT-K12516	Red / Green	10–60 µm
KT-K14216	Blue / Red	10–60 µm
KT-K15216	Green / Red / Blue	10–60 µm

Additional codes available across both particle size ranges. Full product list available on request.

Anti-Counterfeiting Pigments

3D Cat Eye Magnetic Chromashift Powders (OVMP)

These magnetically alignable color-shifting pigments combine the angle-dependent color shift of OVPs with a magnetic response. When a magnetic field is applied during the print or coating process, the flakes orient to produce a three-dimensional visual effect — a moving, cat-eye-style reflection that cannot be reproduced by conventional printing or scanning.

Particle size ranges: 20–50 µm (standard) and 5–15 µm (S-series, optimized for ink applications).

Product Code	Color Shift	Particle Size	Note
KT-3DMG101	Purple-Red / Golden-Green	20–50 µm	—
KT-3DMG108	Green-Blue-Purple Red	20–50 µm	—
KT-3DMG109A	Blue-Violet-Orange	20–50 µm	—
3DMG201S	Magenta-Orange-Yellow Green	5–15 µm	Ink-suitable
3DMG202S	Blue-Violet-Red	5–15 µm	Ink-suitable
3DMG208S	Green-Blue-Purple Red	5–15 µm	Ink-suitable

Full S-series and standard range listings available on request.

Holographic Pigments

Our holographic pigments are light-diffractive colorants based on ultra-thin, micron-scale flakes with a diffractive aluminum core structure. They produce a moving, multi-color prismatic effect over a liquid silver base — an appearance that is optically distinct from conventional pearlescent or metallic pigments and cannot be replicated through standard print processes or reprography.

Available series:

Holographic Silver (KT-HL001 series): Particle sizes from 15 µm to 38 µm — codes include KT-HL001-815 (15 µm), KT-HL001-825 (25 µm), KT-HL001-835 (35 µm), KT-HL001-705 (38 µm).
Holo Colorshift (KT-CH series): Combines holographic diffraction with color-shift behavior; 10–60 µm particle size. Codes: KT-CH301 through KT-CH308, KT-CH006.

Chameleon Series — Fine Particle Grades for Printing

The Chameleon series consists of high-transparency flake crystals coated with titanium dioxide. These produce a strong, flowing color-shift effect across multiple hue transitions as the angle of observation changes. The finer particle size grades (5–25 µm) are specifically suited to printing processes, including gravure applications used in security document and high-end packaging production.

Product Code	Color Shift Range	Particle Size
KT-95102	Blue-green / Blue / Violet / Red	5–25 µm
KT-95202	Blue / Violet / Red / Orange	5–25 µm
KT-95302	Violet-Blue / Violet / Red / Orange-Yellow	5–25 µm
KT-95402	Mauve / Red / Orange / Yellow	5–25 µm
KT-95502	Red / Orange / Yellow / Yellow-Green	5–25 µm
KT-95606	Yellow / Yellow-Green / Green / Blue	10–60 µm
KT-95706	Red / Orange / Yellow / Green	10–60 µm
KT-95906	Yellow / Green / Blue / Violet-Red	10–60 µm

Additional codes available across 5–25 µm and 10–40 µm ranges. Full series datasheet available on request.

Application Notes for Security Printing

For gravure Chromashift ink, a pigment loading of approximately 20% is standard, with dark substrates (black preferred) required to achieve maximum color-shift contrast and visual authentication effect.
Fine particle size grades (5–15 µm and 5–25 µm) across Chromashift, 3D Cat Eye S-series, and Chameleon lines are specifically suited to the finer ink film thicknesses used in security document printing.
Magnetic Chromashift (OVMP) grades require magnetic alignment tooling during application; particle size and magnetic response should be matched to the specific press and substrate configuration.
Holographic grades are compatible with gravure and flexographic print processes for high-security packaging and document authentication layers.
All products are supported by TDS, MSDS, and COA documentation. Formulation and application guidelines are available from our technical team.

"We are seeing sustained demand from security printing customers for pigments that support multi-feature verification — combining an overt color-shift effect visible to the end user with process-level complexity that limits reproduction. Our current portfolio covers both requirements across multiple print technologies." — Kolortek Technical Team

For product specifications, sample requests, or application support, contact us at contact@kolortek.com.