Print in the Channel - issue #32

NEWS

Digimarc and Honeywell partner to combat gift card fraud

Digimarc Corporation and Honeywell have teamed up to help retailers and brands fight gift card fraud. The global gift card market was valued at $1.24 trillion in 2024 and is expected to reach $2.31 trillion by 2030. Gift card fraud losses grew 364% from 2018 to 2021 and continue to increase. Honeywell is one of the first manufacturers to configure its handheld scanners to detect Digimarc’s new digital security layer for gift cards, enabling retailers to automate detection of tampered cards and prevent their activation at the point of sale. Digimarc’s end-to-end solution is over three times more secure than ‘card-only’ security features and removes the need for cashiers to manually inspect or otherwise prepare cards prior to scanning. Retailers using this solution report dramatically lowered incidents of fraud and faster gift card scanning, thereby improving the

customer experience. Honeywell has committed to rolling out this newest version of Digimarc software across its flagship handheld retail scanner portfolio by early 2026. “Digimarc and Honeywell understand that retailers and consumers demand excellent fraud protection, as well as a seamless checkout experience,” explained Ken Sickles, Digimarc’s chief product officer. “The latest version of our on-scanner software delivers a step-change improvement in tamper evidence and first-pass read rates, creating more robust fraud protection and greater scanning speed and efficiency at checkout.” “Gift card fraud is a serious, pervasive and increasingly costly problem for retailers,” said David Barker, president of Honeywell Productivity Solutions & Services. “Honeywell is committed to delivering best-in-class solutions to protect retailers, brands and consumers.” n

Ken Sickles chief product officer

digimarc.com

honeywell.com

Data Direct bring Braille printing to the UK

Data Direct is bringing direct Braille and tactile printing to the UK market thanks to its partnership with Mutoh, providing a step forward for accessible signage in the UK. With accessibility requirements ramping up across public spaces, traditional Braille production has meant slow, manual and expensive methods like embossing or adhesive dot application. But Mutoh has a different approach: using precise multi- layer UV-LED printing, Mutoh devices build perfectly formed raised dots and tactile structures directly onto the substrate. Each ink layer is applied and cured automatically until the defined height is reached — typically 0.3–0.6 mm for Braille and up to 1.0mm for tactile graphics. The result is consistent, compliant and highly readable. Why Mutoh’s Braille solution stands out:

👉 Completely digital workflow — no tooling, plates, or manual finishing 👉 Accurate dot placement via Braille translation software and Vertelith RIP 👉 Crisp, reliable tactile legibility thanks to controlled UV curing 👉 Compatible with a wide range of materials 👉 Ideal for prototypes, short runs and custom signage 👉 Combine raised detail with full-colour print in a single pass 👉 Reduced waste and no additional consumables. For sign makers, PSPs, accessible- product providers, designers and public- sector organisations, this offers a genuine competitive edge — fast, compliant, high- quality accessible signage that’s easy to produce and easy to adapt. n

Peter Cowan group chief operations officer

data-direct.co.uk

mutoh.eu/en

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