What is the difference between tamper-evident and anti-counterfeit labels?

Tamper-evident labels are designed to show whether a product has been opened or interfered with after packaging, while anti-counterfeit labels are designed to prove the product itself is genuine and not a fake. The two purposes overlap in some label constructions but address different risks.

A tamper-evident label, such as a VOID pattern seal or a destructible vinyl sticker, focuses on the integrity of a specific, already-genuine unit: it tells the retailer or consumer whether that particular package has been opened since it left the factory. It does not, on its own, prove the product inside is authentic, only that the seal has not been broken.

An anti-counterfeit label, such as a custom hologram, forensic marker, or serialised QR code, focuses on proving the product’s origin: it lets a brand, retailer, or consumer confirm the item was produced by the genuine manufacturer rather than a counterfeiter, regardless of whether the seal is intact. In practice, many products need both protections together, since a counterfeiter could otherwise use a genuine, unbroken seal on a fake product, or apply a fake seal to a genuine product diverted through an unauthorised channel. Combining a tamper-evident seal with an authentication feature such as a hologram or serial code addresses both risks in a single label system.