News in Brief

Five-Year Postage Stamp Deal

Spectra Systems, a US provider of secure transaction technologies, has announced that its security printing division, Cartor Security Printers, has secured a five-year contract to produce postage stamps for an undisclosed postal supplier within the European Union. The agreement is expected to generate revenue of $3-$4 million over its duration.

The contract was awarded based on several factors, including quality, environmental impact, pricing, and Cartor’s innovative approach to hybrid stamp solutions. A key aspect of this innovation is the implementation of 2D barcode serialisation, which addresses the security and traceability of postage stamps.

This technology is designed to combat fraudulent practices such as counterfeiting and stamp reuse by enabling postal authorities to verify the authenticity and validity of each individual stamp. Unlike traditional stamps, which rely principally on visible security features, these barcodes add a digital layer of protection against illicit replication and multiple use.