Certus Card Group Wins Innovation of the Year at the Printweek Awards 2026
Innovation Recognised by Industry Judges
Certus Card Group is proud to announce that PaperBurstTech® has won Innovation of the Year – Applications: Packaging at the Printweek Awards 2026.
The award recognises the development of PaperBurstTech®, Certus’ tamper-evident packaging technology designed to help retailers tackle the growing problem of gift card fraud.
The Printweek Awards are one of the UK print industry’s most respected events, celebrating outstanding innovation, creativity and technical achievement across the sector. Winning Innovation of the Year highlights the impact of PaperBurstTech and the work that went into developing the solution.
Tackling a Growing Challenge in Gift Cards
Gift cards remain one of retail’s most successful revenue drivers, but they have increasingly become a target for fraud.
Tampering with packaging to access card details can allow criminals to exploit gift cards before they reach the end customer, creating both financial losses and reputational damage for retailers.
PaperBurstTech was developed by Certus Card Group to address this challenge directly.
The packaging uses precisely applied adhesives that bond with the paperboard structure. If interference occurs, the paper fibres break when opened, creating clear, visible evidence of tampering.
This simple but effective design makes it immediately obvious if a card has been compromised.
Innovation Recognised by Industry Judges
In recognising PaperBurstTech with Innovation of the Year, the Printweek Awards judges highlighted the effectiveness of the solution.
They commented that Certus had “identified a problem and solved it. Sounds simple – but the best ideas usually are.”
The award recognises the extensive development, testing and collaboration that went into creating a packaging solution capable of protecting gift card programmes while maintaining a seamless retail experience.
Innovation Recognised by Industry Judges
A Proud Moment for the Certus Team
The award was collected at the Printweek Awards ceremony in London, where members of the Certus team represented the business and celebrated the win with industry peers.
The recognition marks an important milestone for the business and highlights the strength of innovation across the Certus group.
It also reflects the expertise built through the combined heritage of Plastic Card Services and Incodia, which together form Certus Card Group.
Looking Ahead
As gift card programmes continue to grow across retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, the need for secure and reliable packaging solutions is becoming increasingly important.
PaperBurstTech demonstrates how thoughtful design and manufacturing innovation can help brands protect their programmes, safeguard customers and maintain trust.
Certus Card Group continues to invest in technologies and solutions that support retailers and partners across the entire card lifecycle from manufacture and personalisation through to packaging and fulfilment.
Find Out More
Speak to our team to explore how tamper-evident packaging can help protect your gift card programme.