Touchcode is a low-cost solution which links printed paper with multi-touch smartphones and tablets

Chemnitz, Germany – February 21, 2012 – Printechnologics, today’s leading technology developer for printed functionalities, will be demonstrating its unique Touchcode data tag at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in Hall 1.0 Booth 1J37. Touchcode makes it easy to link multi-touch smartphones and tablets with printed materials, unlocking a host of entertainment, safety and information opportunities. Consumers simply place a printed product with the embedded data tag on the screen of their device. Then an app or website can instantly open up content, such as videos, websites, photos and more. Touchcode tags can even be used to validate the authenticity of a ticket or a packaged product. Unlike RFID tags or QR codes, Touchcode does not require a special reading device, camera or hardware modification. Any mobile device with a capacitive touchscreen and the appropriate app or web app can easily read a Touchcode tag. Customers can implement the recyclable electronic tag using standard commercial printing processes for a very low cost per item. “Touchcode is different because you simply hold the printed product up to your smartphone or tablet – no camera or special reader is required,” said Sascha Voigt, founder and CEO of Printechnologics. “Touchcode combines the low-cost of a QR code with the security benefits of an RFID tag, and Touchcode is recyclable.” Printechnologics will offer visitors an opportunity to experience this intuitive technology first hand in its booth at Mobile World Congress. The Chemnitz, Germany-based company has developed a demo flyer which contains a Touchcode card. The embedded data tag in the Touchcode card links to a web app developed for all Apple iOS devices. Visitors can open the web app, place the Touchcode-enabled card on their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad and exclusive content will quickly be downloaded and displayed on the screen. Touchcode has been used around the globe for a range of applications. In Germany, the October 2011 print edition of ICON magazine was released as a special supplement of WELT am SONNTAG (World on Sunday) with a card equipped with an electronic data tag developed by Printechnologics. By placing the card on an iPad, users were instantly able to enjoy a free digital issue of the iPad magazine “The ICONIST.” In Israel, Printechnologics created a new form of interactivity for soccer trading cards by iSupergol. Thanks to integrated data codes, Israeli soccer fans can access additional information or videos on their smartphones by placing the trading cards with their favorite soccer players on the device’s screen. Printechnologics will demo Touchcode at Mobile World Congress in Hall 1.0, Booth 1J37. Key executives are available for press interviews or sales briefings.

More on Touchcode

Touchcode is an invisible electronic date tag that can be printed on nearly any surface – including paper, carton or foil – to establish a link between online and offline communications. In order to activate the data, a user simply needs a multi-touchsmartphone or tablet and an app or web app that correlates with the printed material. Placing the document on the device’s screen will automatically trigger the device to access and play the coordinating content. There is no need for a camera, a Near Field Communication device or hardware modifications – just a regular touchscreen device and a Touchcode-imprinted document. Click here to see a short video illustrating the process.

About Printechnologics

Printechnologics is today’s leading technology developer in printed functionalities, creating electronic systems produced entirely by a common printer. Printechnologics introduced its first commercially viable product – Touchcode, an electronic data tag – in 2010. Touchcode technology can be integrated into any printable material, and is completely recyclable, invisible and flexible.

Furthering the evolution of printed paper, Printechnologics ensures every kind of printed product, from advertising leaflets to labels and forgery-proof packaging, is ready for the digital age. These first production products have the potential to inspire a series of inventions that will change everyday life. Printechnologics is a 3M New Venture Company since 2010. For more information, visit www.printechnologics.com and www.touchcode.de.

Media Only Contact:

Brian Kemp, Edelman
Tel.: +1 650-762-2844
Email: brian.kemp(at)edelman.com

Touchcode technology enables Israeli iSupergol fans to create virtual dream teams of their favorite soccer players

Chemnitz, Germany – February 08, 2012 – Printechnologics, today’s leading technology developer for printed functionalities, announced the successful integration of its Touchcode technology with the newly launched booster pack of iSupergol football stickers, created in collaboration with PMI, the largest distributor of stickers and trading cards in Israel, and Cartamundi, the worldwide playing card leader.
The iSupergol collection of stickers and trading cards, especially popular among Israeli children and teenagers, depicts players from Israeli soccer teams. The cards are imprinted with Printechnologic’s Touchcode technology, which electronically connects the card to correlating digital content that can be activated using an iPhone. By simply opening the free iSupergol app and placing a card on the display, collectors and soccer fans can instantly access videos specific to the pictured player or his team, along with exclusive games. Users can also build a virtual dream team of their favorite players.
“Touchcode is a fascinating solution for connecting gaming cards with the virtual world and offers an unprecedented experience for the collector,” said Steven Schoenmaekers, Cartamundi’s key account manager of special projects. “The team overseeing this project at Cartamundi was immediately impressed by this technology. Thanks to excellent cooperation, the iSupergol cards were developed in no time. Just recently, there was only a demo version available – now the cards are on the market. The success in Israel speaks for itself.”
The Touchcode-imprinted iSupergol collection – which Cartamundi prints in Turnhout, Belgium –came to market in November. Within five days of launch, the iSupergol app was downloaded more than 22,000 times and become the No. 1 app in Apple Israel’s “Kids Game” section.
“We are pleased with our partnership with PMI and Cartamundi,” said Sascha Voigt, CEO at Printechnologics. “Touchcode introduces a new form of interactivity to playing cards and features innovative technology. The future holds a wide range of possible applications for Touchcode – we are already planning the next project with PMI.”

Printechnologics launches new brand appearance

Chemnitz, Germany October 27, 2011 - Printechnologics, the leading technology developer in printed functionalities, announces the launch of its new brand appearance. Core elements include a new logo as well as a completely redesigned Internet presence. Printechnologics new websites are live as of today, providing a global platform for the company’s innovative product portfolio. Printechnologics uses conventional printing methods to create electronic systems that can be printed on paper, carton or foil. One of its first commercial products - available today - is Touchcode, embedded data memory that can be printed on any printable material. Touchcode is the key to digital content – the new communications standard bridging the offline and online worlds. In order to activate data, a multi-touch device - like today’s popular smartphones and tablets - is required. Touchcode has a wide application range, including safety and security. For example, Touchcode can replace holograms by offering safety features with printed functionalities. Additionally, it can be employed as a progressive advertising medium thanks to its ability to connect with the Internet. In logistics, it allows for a fast authentication. Other groundbreaking application areas include micropayment, gaming and ticketing. Printechnologics’ innovative portfolio will continue to expand through pioneering patents, such as new payment systems. “We’re developing future-oriented technologies - with the new brand appearance our technological leadership is also emphasized visually,” explains Sascha Voigt, founder and CEO of Printechnologics.

About Printechnologics

Printechnologics is today’s leading technology developer in printed functionalities, creating electronic systems produced entirely by a common printer. Printechnologics introduced its first commercially viable product -Touchcode, an electronic data storage method - in 2010. Touchcode technology can be integrated into any printable material, and is completely recyclable, invisible and flexible.

Furthering the evolution of printed paper, Printechnologics ensures every kind of printed product, from advertising leaflets to labels and forgery-proof packaging, is ready for the digital age. These first production products have the potential to inspire a series of inventions that will change everyday life. Printechnologics is a 3M New Venture Company since 2010. For more information, visit www.printechnologics.com and www.touchcode.de.

Contact:

Brian Kemp, Edelman
Tel.: +1 (650) 762-2844
Email: brian.kemp@edelman.com

WELT am SONNTAG readers can download a free issue of The ICONIST for the iPad via embedded electronic tags

Chemnitz, Germany October 27, 2011 - Printechnologics announced today that the WELT Group is the first publisher to use its Touchcode technology, linking the sixth edition of its iPad magazine The ICONIST with the style magazine ICON. On October 23, the new edition of ICON was released as a special supplement of WELT am SONNTAG (World on Sunday) that contained a card equipped with electronic data tags developed by Printechnologics. By placing the card on an iPad, a user is instantly able to enjoy the latest issue of The ICONIST. It takes a fraction of a second to activate Touchcode and start downloading the reading content, offering a completely new experience for the reader. This combination of traditional and new media convinced Audi to become the official advertising partner for the sixth edition of The ICONIST, presenting its new Audi Q3 in the digital edition. Touchcode can be described as invisible data storage from a printing press. Printechnologics uses conventional printing methods to transform paper, carton or foil into a key to digital content - Touchcode essentially establishes a link between offline and online communications using invisible data tags. Companies can easily combine Touchcode technology with existing apps or Web apps. In order to activate the data, a touch-screen smartphone or tablet is required. The user then opens the app or the Web app on their device and places the printed material with the embedded Touchcode on the surface. The smartphone or tablet will recognize the data automatically, upload the coordinating content and display it directly on the screen. In this example, it’s a free issue of The ICONIST, which can be read instantly. There is absolutely no need for a camera, special Near Field Communication device or hardware modification - just use a regular touch-screen device. By executing this project for the WELT Group, Axel Springer AG is the first multimedia company to implement Touchcode technology to link print and online services intuitively. The ICONIST is the first magazine in the European market produced exclusively for the iPad and one of the first iPad-specific magazines in the world. Its purpose: to merge the intuitive reading experience of print media with the multimedia interactivity of the iPad. “The use of Touchcode is a fascinating experience and a great solution for establishing a link between the print edition ICON and our digital offerings like The ICONIST,” Inge Griese, editor-in-chief of ICON/The ICONIST, said. “Both brands stand for quality, innovation and that ‘certain something’ – besides fulfilling this commitment on the content level, we are now able to fulfill it on a technological level, too.” “With Touchcode, there isn’t a gap in the usage of print and digital media,” Carola Curio, advertising manager at Axel Springer Media Impact, said. “The world of printed materials is fitting seamlessly into the mobile world. Touchcode offers a unique experience – the WELT Group’s offering delighted advertisers like Audi, which supports this innovation project as an exclusive sponsor.” “We are pleased about the partnership with Axel Springer AG,” states Sascha Voigt, CEO at Printechnologics. “The completion of the project, as well as the decision to use Touchcode for the iPad app promotion of The ICONIST, shows how future-oriented the publishing company is. Once again, Touchcode has demonstrated its enormous functionality and leading technology.”

About Printechnologics

Printechnologics is today’s leading technology developer in printed functionalities, creating electronic systems produced entirely by a common printer. Printechnologics introduced its first commercially viable product –Touchcode, an electronic data storage method - in 2010. Touchcode technology can be integrated into any printable material, and is completely recyclable, invisible and flexible.

Furthering the evolution of printed paper, Printechnologics ensures every kind of printed product, from advertising leaflets to labels and forgery-proof packaging, is ready for the digital age. These first production products have the potential to inspire a series of inventions that will change everyday life. Printechnologics is a 3M New Venture Company since 2010. For more information, visit www.printechnologics.com oder www.touchcode.de.

Contact:

Brian Kemp, Edelman
Tel.: +1 (650) 762-2844
Email: brian.kemp@edelman.com

Huge success of innovative technology as marketing tool is scientifically confirmed

Chemnitz 12.04.2010. printechnologics GmbH, world-leading developer of electronic components for printing machines, is developing a new kind of marketing tool. The little cards are made of conventional paper and look like any other small paper cards. But these cards come with an invisible data chip printed directly onto the paper, at hardly any extra production cost. "A big advantage is the versatility of our data memory," said Sascha Voigt, director of printechnologics GmbH. "Our data memory can be invisibly integrated into almost any paper product, no matter what shape or size, and it cannot be copied." In addition,the new intelligent flyer remains non-toxic, recyclable and almost as affordable to produce."

SATURN, a specialist electronics shop in Chemnitz, was the first to use this technology as a sales promotion tool in a new kind of competition. "Customer response was huge," said director Mario Kessler from Chemnitz. "We were able to identify a distinct increase in customer frequency from this marketing exercise, and customers were excited by the brilliant idea". The competition tickets from Chemnitz-based printechnologics were distributed through various channels: at celebrations, placed in magazines, and given to customers making a purchase at the electronics shop.

Competitions like this are just the start of a whole range of new concepts in sales promotion. Another advantage of this new method is its measurability. "Now for the first time I can know with the push of a button where my advertising budget is best placed," continued Mario Kessler. "If the cards are distributed in magazines, the system automatically knows which card came from which magazine. That way, I have for the first time an exactly measurable newspaper advertisement." The success of this new sales promotion tool was also scientifically investigated in an accompanying study by the Department of Marketing and Business Management Studies at the TU in Chemnitz. "Simplicity in use, rapidity of the system and the fact of not having to register to participate were seen by customers as especially important and satisfying," said Prof. Cornelia Zanger.

After this impressive first application, Printechnologics GmbH are now planning an international rollout of the technology. "We already have concluded first contracts with international groups", says Sascha Voigt. "And of course it helps that our products can be produced world-wide in many locations."

About Printechnologics:

Printechnologics (new name, formerly Menippos GmbH) has transformed from a systems integrator into a technology developer. We are proud to present the first production ready and market proven fully printed identification system and a new type of easy-to-integrate printed battery. We offer innovative new features for marketing, publishing, toys, logistics, ticketing and counterfeit protection.

Our printed identification tag can be printed directly into the end product and offers the same features as a nearfield-RFID tag but at extreme low cost und environmentally friendly.

Our printed battery offers an innovative way of printing and integrating a power source with wide varieties of easy and product-friendly customization and integration.

New York Times Magazine 2009 - printed battery belongs to best 5 ideas

Since nine years in December the New York Times Magazine publishes a list of ideas from A to Z, the most clever, important, silly and just plain weird innovations from all corners of the thinking world. This year t the printed battery of Fraunhofer ENAS belongs to the best fi ve ideas in the technology area.

The printable battery can be produced cost-effectively on a large scale. It was developed by a research team of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS in Chemnitz together with colleagues from TU Chemnitz and Menippos GmbH. “Our goal is to be able to mass produce the batteries at a price of single digit cent range each,” states Dr. Andreas Willert, deputy department manager at ENAS. First time the printed batteries have been presented at the nanotech exhibition in Japan in the spring 2009. The battery weights less than one gram and is less than one millimeter thick. It is possible to print it in serial connections up to four batteries with voltages of 1.5 to 6 V depending of the connection. The batteries are environment-friendly because they do not contain mercury. This new generation of batteries can be applied for medicine products or printed media.

The new type of battery is composed of different layers: a zinc anode and a manganesedioxide cathode, among others. Zinc and manganesedioxide react with one another and produce electricity. However, the anode and the cathode layer dissipate gradually during this chemical process. Therefore, the battery is suitable for applications which have a limited life span or a limited power requirement, for instance greeting cards.