Transforming the secondary image into a primary security feature, OVD Kinegram presented KINEGRAM PHOTOGRAPH at Identity Week America, which took place 10-11 September in Washington, DC.

This September in Warsaw, the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) unveiled another milestone – organising the first ‘Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards’. Now, almost 30 years on, the wheel has turned once more with a broader optical lens.

Crane Authentication – a Crane NXT business unit – has unveiled its latest innovation in overt security: PROFOUND® TruSpectrum™, which extends the colour palette of its micro-optic labels to match the spectrum of colours integral to a brand’s visual identity.

A new advance in optoelectronics from the University of St Andrews could accelerate the arrival of holographic technology in consumer devices, including smartphones, wearables, and entertainment platforms.

According to researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, polarisation is key for future technologies, ranging from quantum computers to secure communication and holographic displays.

On 29 August, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) marked its 75th anniversary with the issue of a 2,000 rupee (Rs) commemorative banknote under the theme ‘Stability for Prosperity’.

Canpac Trends, one of India’s leading packaging solution providers, has announced the successful acquisition of Shriram Veritech Solutions, a company specialising in holographic security labels and anticounterfeiting solutions. The deal value was not disclosed.

UV resin is the preferred material for hologram casting because of its high precision, fast curing, and excellent optical properties. Here’s why UV resin is widely used in security holograms, diffractive optical elements (DOEs), and high-resolution embossing applications.

Amidst the gradual introduction of a new banknote series, Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) has also launched a new bicentennial commemorative banknote, which was unveiled at a special event attended by the country’s President at the Casa de Libertad in Sucre, a heritage museum and former church where the country signed its declaration of independence in 1825.

Photonic crystals (PCs) are optical nanostructures that affect the propagation of light by the periodic variation in their refractive index. As counterfeiting techniques become ever more sophisticated, PCs offer physically unclonable functions (PUFs) due to their defect-sensitive optical behaviour and structural colours that cannot be reproduced accurately by traditional printing or scanning techniques.

The Aldus Group, a global provider of printing, packaging, finishing and precision engineering solutions, has stepped onto the international stage with a unified identity. At Label Expo Europe 2025 (15-17 September, Barcelona), the group showcased its consolidated portfolio, from foils and inks to machines, bringing them together under one roof for the first time.

The 2025 edition of the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) Conference opened with the headline ‘Welcome to the Genius of Secure Documents’. The conference was formally opened by Francis Tuffy, the newly appointed Chairman of ODDS, setting the tone for three days of technical exchange and innovation of experts, innovators and leaders in the optical security landscape.

The ultra-fast trading platform Fastex recently announced the release of a series of collectible currency notes, each backed 1:1 by FTN token, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. Unveiled in early July at the Harmony Meetup 7 in Yerevan, Armenia, the annual event that unites top minds from Web3 and iGaming, these notes feature banknote-grade anti-counterfeit features provided by Authentix.

Swiss manufacturer Gietz has created the ‘Gietz Vodka’ label concept to highlight the creative and technical possibilities of its ROFO 450 ECO hot foil stamping unit.

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) revealed the winners of its inaugural ‘Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards’ 2025 during a special ceremony held on 16 September at the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference, Warsaw, Poland.

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), India’s leading industry body for authentication and traceability solutions, has announced its newly elected board members for the 2025–2027 term. The appointments were confirmed at ASPA’s annual general meeting (AGM), held on 10 September in New Delhi.

German startup Gixel has raised €5 million in seed funding to develop next-generation optical see-through displays for AI and augmented reality (AR) eyewear.

Argentina’s cigarette tax stamps have undergone a redesign following the transformation of the country’s tax authority from the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (AFIP) to the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA). While the change reflects new institutional branding and regulatory updates under General Resolution 5603/2024, the stamps’ core optical security features remain firmly in place.

The deadline has passed, the entries are in – and the buzz is building. The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) has officially closed submissions (as of 8 August) for its first-ever Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards, amid a strong response, and is now preparing for the award ceremony.

For years, Hazen Paper’s holographic calendars have become an annual highlight for designers, collectors, printers, and brand owners. Every calendar showcases Hazen’s brilliant work in pushing the boundaries of optical effects.