Hybrid Software, a global software company focused on prepress and workflow tools for the graphic arts industry, has entered into a partnership with Digimarc Corporation. 

Combined with Hybrid’s software, this partnership will leverage Digimarc’s expertise in digital watermarking techniques to deliver a seamless product in the automation of brand protection and traceability.

“Our partnership with Digimarc will allow Hybrid Software to enhance our technology to address our customers’ increasing needs in sustainable packaging and brand integrity solutions,” says Patrick Coussement, managing director, Hybrid Software. “We look forward to a long relationship with Digimarc and a shared commitment in providing scalable technology for our customers and partners.”

Hybrid and Digimarc have a longstanding history of providing new technologies to the packaging print market. Digimarc Verify has been available to select customers since 2020, in Hybrid Software’s Cloudflow software to allow for error-free inspection of Digimarc digital watermarks within automated workflow processes. Digimarc digital watermarks offer covert and overt protection for physical products, packaging and digital assets, adding a crucial layer that supports brand protection. These digital watermarks are fully compliant with industry standards, yet imperceptible to the human eye. Since the imperceptible watermark is embedded throughout the artwork’s entire surface area, scanning is expedited.

The margin for error from the creation until the approval cycle is reduced, and expensive printing mistakes can be avoided. Building on the integration already available in Cloudflow, Hybrid Software also plans to add Digimarc support to its Packz PDF editing software enabling application and detection of digital watermarks during the prepress phase.

SGK, a global provider of packaging and brand experiences and trusted partner of Hybrid Software and Digimarc, has implemented new Digimarc functionality in Hybrid’s Clouflow packaging workflow system, across its facilities worldwide. “We believe that our partnership with Hybrid Software and Digimarc directly benefits SGK’s global clients by offering advanced levels of automation and quality control on jobs with Digimarc watermarks,” says Francois Estellon SVP, global operations and chief technology officer. “Our intent is to play a key role in the future development of greater integration of Digimarc watermarking into Hybrid Software solutions, thereby helping the world’s leading brands and retailers accelerate their packaging connectivity and sustainability initiatives.”

The current integrated version of Digimarc Verify with Cloudflow is available today, offering reporting and verification tools. The next version, scheduled for early 2022, will include advanced decoding and extended grading of Digimarc digital watermarks.

“We are excited to join in this partnership with Hybrid Software,” says Ken Sickles, Digimarc chief product officer. “Our organizations will continue to work closely to identify further opportunities for integration and a seamless customer experience across both platforms.”

The release of Hybrid Software’s native PDF Editor, Packz 8, is scheduled for release mid 2022. The Packz user community will be able to recognize the Digimarc digital watermarks using the Barcode Recognition functionality.