What Tamper Evident Grey does on pack
Tamper Evident Grey is made for packaging where you need a plain, visible warning that the seal or printed area has been disturbed. On correct application, the grey mark changes appearance when heat, pressure, peeling, scuffing or solvent contact affects the protected area, so the pack no longer presents as untouched.
It is used on cartons, labels, sleeves, foil packs and outer wraps where the buyer must see if the pack has been opened before purchase. The finish is practical rather than decorative, so it works well on pharmaceutical cartons, food secondary packs, cosmetics, export cartons and controlled distribution items. In humid coastal conditions like Durban or Richards Bay, it can be set up to hold its signal without becoming patchy or soft.
Format options and pack sizes available
We supply Tamper Evident Grey in production-friendly formats for trial work and full runs. The right choice depends on your press setup, line speed and whether you need hand application, flexo, screen or other coating methods. If you are converting for multiple customers, we can keep retain samples and repeat the same result batch after batch.
- Small trial quantities for press setup and customer approval
- Production drums for regular converting runs
- Matched formulation for specific substrate, cure and adhesion needs
- Optional security pattern design for added visual control
Typical supply is arranged by application rate rather than by a one-size pack. That helps with cost control, especially where converters are running short batches, multiple SKUs, or frequent artwork changes.
Where this grey security ink works best
This product suits packaging that must show tampering clearly while still looking neat on shelf. It is often chosen where supply chains run through warehouse transfer points, retail backrooms or third-party transport, because the mark gives a quick visual check before dispatch or resale.
- Pharmaceutical and health products
- Nutraceutical and supplement cartons
- Premium food packs and export secondary packaging
- Cosmetic cartons and sample packs
- Warranty seals and controlled-access items
If your pack moves through cold rooms, coastal humidity or hot Gauteng delivery runs, the formulation can be tested against the actual conditions your customer sees. That matters when a seal must still show a clear change after handling, stacking and truck vibration.
How it is applied on your line
Application depends on the substrate and the effect you want. We support drawdown panels, trial batch making, press startup support and coating compatibility checks before full production starts. For some customers the ink is laid into a defined seal area, while others use it across a band, flap edge or hidden security panel.
No special gas connection is required. Power needs follow your existing printing or coating line, and the main attention is on curing, drying and line control. Where heat is part of the process, we check that the system stays within the working window so the tamper response remains consistent. If the line sits in a plant with load-shedding changes, we can help you plan startup settings and curing checks around that.
- Suitable for hand sample work and full production lines
- No gas supply needed for the ink itself
- Works with standard drying or curing equipment where compatible
- Press setup support available for first runs and repeat orders
Care, storage and servicing between runs
Security inks need steady handling if you want the same result on every batch. Keep containers sealed, store them away from direct sun and do not leave mixed product open on the line for long periods. In warm Durban months, the working life on the table can shorten if the area is not controlled, so operators should mix only what is needed for the shift.
For servicing, we can assist with rub resistance checks, UV verification setups, adhesion tests and batch retaiin records so you can compare one order with the next. If the colour response changes, we look first at substrate finish, drying, overprint layers and contamination from dust, release agents or cleaning residue.
What to confirm when placing an order
Ordering the right security ink starts with the pack, not just the colour. Tell us what substrate you are printing on, what line speed you run, and whether the pack is going to a hot shelf, a chilled chain or export storage. If you have municipal or retailer rules around packaging marks, include those too so the setup matches the job from the start.
- Substrate type and surface finish
- Application method and target coverage
- Required tamper response and viewing distance
- Pack size, artwork position and batch volume
- Drying or curing method on your line
- Any tests needed before production release
Our team in Jacobs, Durban supports converters nationwide, with supply lines into Pinetown, Prospecton, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Sibusiso Mthembu leads the business, with technical support from Shaun October, Pieter van Wyk, Nomfundo Khumalo, Lindokuhle Dlamini and Jason Pillay for production, colour, security and logistics.
Key facts
| Product type | Tamper visible security ink for packaging |
|---|---|
| Finish | Grey signal with disturbance visibility when interfered with |
| Common applications | Cartons, labels, sleeves, foil packs and seal areas |
| Supply formats | Trial quantities and production drums |
| Support services | Adhesion tests, rub resistance checks, UV verification, trial batches |
| Base and delivery area | Jacobs, Durban with nationwide deliveries to packaging converters |
