How To Remove Bottle Security Cap? Top 99 Best Answers

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When it comes to combating shoplifting, security labels and tags remain among the most effective strategies employed by retailers around the world.

Also known as Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), it is a loss prevention method used by 73 percent of retailers worldwide and 69 percent of retailers in the US, according to the latest Global Retail Theft Barometer. Used effectively, EAS can reduce shoplifting by an estimated 60-80 percent.

How exactly does it work and what do you need to know?

electronic article surveillance elements

EAS comprises a number of essential elements that all work together to monitor and protect inventory in a store.

antenna

Antennas are usually placed in the entrance of a store. Most often it is a single pedestal style antenna or two or three antennas located right in the door. They can also be hidden in the doorway, under the floor at the entrance, or even overhead.

These detection antennas emit a signal, and security tags or labels attached to products and merchandise in a store respond. When an item with an active tag or tag passes or passes between these antennas, an alarm sounds indicating that an item is leaving the store.

Two systems

There are two widely used types of EAS systems – Radio Frequency (RF) and Acousto Magnetic (AM). The main difference between them is the frequency they operate at, which is measured in Hertz.

AM (Acousto Magnetic) systems operate at 58 KHz, meaning a signal is sent in pulses or bursts between 50 and 90 times per second, while (RF) Radio Frequency operates in a sweep at 8.2 MHz.

security labels

Commonly used to protect items such as clothing, accessories, alcohol and even eyewear, security tags consist of a hard, outer casing with a transmitter housed within. This transmitter is in constant communication with the antenna guarding the entrance to the store.

Security labels are available for RF or AM security systems.

For clothing and soft items, the security tag is attached to an item with a pin that goes through the fabric of the product. This pin then snaps into the security tag.

There are two common types of locking mechanisms used in security tags – mechanical locks and magnetic locks.

Magnetic locks come in different strengths, ranging from Standard to SuperLock, HyperLock and Multipolar. The higher the magnet strength, the more difficult it is to tamper with the tag, with SuperLock being the minimum recommended magnet strength.

In the meantime, the safety pin should have a head large enough to ensure that it cannot push through the fabric of the item it is attached to, and there are a range of pin head sizes.

Security tags also come in a variety of forms, which also have an impact on how difficult it is to tamper with a tag.

These shapes include round, square, and pencil-shaped labels. Round tags (or clamshell-style tags) with a pinhead matching the size of the tag are considered one of the most difficult tags for shoplifters to remove. They are more difficult to open because there is little surface area to get a grip and the pinhead cannot be pushed through the product without causing a significant cut or tear.

Meanwhile, hard tags can also be attached to items such as handbags and shoes with a steel-reinforced lanyard, and bottles and glasses can be secured with specially designed hard tags attached to the product.

Removing the security label

Security labels must be removed when a product is sold. This simple process is carried out using a removal device that is mounted or built into the counter at the point of sale. The remover is either a mechanical device or a high-powered magnet that releases the security tag’s locking mechanism and allows the tag to be removed. Tags can then be reused for other products.

security labels

Suitable for high volume, low value goods such as books, CDs, hardware, perishable food and pharmaceuticals, security labels are available in a variety of shapes and sizes for both RF and AM systems.

They work the same as hard tags in that they are in constant communication with a store’s EAS antenna and trigger an alarm when they pass the antenna without being deactivated. However, labels can be quickly affixed to products and are flat or have a very low profile.

The advantage of self-adhesive security labels is that they are affordable and readily available. They are easy to apply and quick to disable.

Deactivation of the security label

Security tags are typically deactivated by a deactivator located at the point of sale or integrated into the scanner. This deactivator works by breaking an electrical circuit within a tag so that it no longer emits a signal and can pass near an antenna without sounding an alarm. Labels cannot be reused.

If you’re wondering which security tag or label would be best for your retail business, find out more information here, or contact our friendly staff for expert advice.

Article overview

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If you’ve brought a garment home from the store only to find that the security tag is still attached, don’t worry. There are several ways to remove these labels without damaging your items. If it is an ink label, hold down the larger part of the label that contains the ink cartridge. Pull it as far away from the surface of clothing as possible so you don’t accidentally get ink on it if the cartridge breaks. Wrap a rubber band around the pin holding the label in place. This will help loosen the pin. Grasp the larger side of the label with one hand and the smaller part with the other, then pull the two sides apart firmly. If it’s still not loose enough, try wrapping a few more rubber bands around the pin. If you don’t have rubber bands, hold the cartridge up and gently pry off the pyramid-shaped cap with a flathead screwdriver. Peel off the foil seal underneath, then use the screwdriver to pry off the metal plate holding the pen in place. Then you should be able to simply slide the cartridge up off the pin and detach the label. Whichever method you use, it may also help to place the garment in the freezer overnight to freeze the ink so it doesn’t spill when you peel off the tag. If you’re dealing with an electromagnetic label instead of an ink label, you might be able to use brute force to remove it. Clamp something between the label and the head of the pen holding it in place, e.g. B. the edge of a slotted screwdriver. Grab the label and wiggle it back and forth until the pin breaks, then break open the label and peel off. If you have a strong magnet, e.g. a hard drive magnet, you can also try laying the tag flat on it. Listen for a click as the tag deactivates, then gently pry it off the pins to release it from your garment. For more tips, including how to remove a security tag with rubber bands or pliers, read on!

Whether it’s clothing, high-end fashion accessories, or liquor, protecting your merchandise with security tags is one of the most effective ways to combat shoplifting.

Visible tags not only provide a deterrent to shoplifting, electronic article surveillance tags alert staff immediately to potential theft. Together, this is helping to combat a phenomenon of retail shrinkage that cost US retailers $46.8 billion last year alone, according to the National Retail Federation.

If you are looking to take advantage of the loss prevention strategy of security labels, here is a look at the types, sizes and styles of labels available.

EAS, visual and benefit denial

Security tags can be broadly divided into three main categories: electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, visual deterrent tags, and benefit denial tags.

EAS tags

Used by 73 percent of retailers according to the latest Global Retail Theft Barometer, EAS security tags are the most effective tag type to deter theft.

The EAS system sees tags in communication with an antenna placed near the entrance of a store. When the tagged item comes close to this antenna, an alarm sounds, alerting personnel to a potential threat.

There are two main EAS systems (Radio Frequency and Acoustomagnetic) and the difference is the frequency at which the tags and antenna operate.

denial of service

Benefit denial tags will negatively affect the stolen goods if the thief attempts to remove the tag. The most common form is ink colored labels which release indelible ink if the label is tampered with, effectively rendering the stolen item useless.

visual tags

Visual labels make it appear that an EAS system is in place, but do not have a receiver that communicates with an antenna.

This means they provide a visual deterrent to shoplifters, rather than raising an alarm and alerting staff when an item is stolen.

In addition to different types of tags, different shapes and styles are available, suitable for different goods.

clothing labels

Clothing labels consist of three key elements; the tag (where the receiver resides in EAS), the pin (which goes through the garment), and the locking mechanism (which secures the pin).

There are two common types of locking mechanisms; magnetic and mechanical, with magnetic labels available in a range of strengths ranging from standard to SuperLock, HyperLock and Multi-Polar.

The stronger the magnetic closure, the more difficult it is to remove the tag illegally, so a minimum strength of SuperLock is recommended.

Some of the most common shapes for fashion labels are alligator labels, which have a hinge, pencil labels, which are long and thin, square labels, and round or shell labels. In terms of security, shell tags are the most difficult form to break open and illegally remove.

Along with the strength of the locking mechanism and the shape of the tag, the size of the pinhead is an important factor to consider when choosing clothing tags. The larger the pinhead, the less likely it is to be illegally removed by threading it through the garment.

Fashion Accessory Tags

Whether shoes, handbag or jewelry, there are many ways to secure accessories with security labels.

Some of the most popular options include zip ties and lanyard tags.

These use strong cables, cable ties or lanyards to attach the security tag to the accessory. These cables and lanyards are often made of cut-resistant materials, and the lanyard or lanyard can be secured in the tag’s locking mechanism.

bottle labels

One of the most common items targeted by theft is liquor bottles, with the Global Retail Theft Barometer finding that liquor is often easily concealed and can be resold at a high value.

In fact, wines and spirits are the number one food item targeted by shoplifters worldwide.

Bottle tags specifically target this type of theft, providing a visual deterrent in addition to EAS security.

Optical tags

Article protection is a must for retailers of glasses and sunglasses. Classed as a fashion accessory, sunglasses are among the second most wanted thieves in the apparel and accessories industry.

Optical labels are specifically designed to fit within eyeglass temples, allowing the consumer to try on items.

Learn more about choosing the right label for your store here.

Security tags help retail stores reduce losses from shoplifting. Putting a label on the store’s merchandise is usually more efficient than hiring extra staff to watch your customers shop. Also, the sight of a security tag on an item can make a would-be thief think twice before taking it.

RFID tags

Plastic security tags attach a radio frequency identification chip directly to an item. When the chip passes the detection sensor, an alarm will go off to alert store staff to the theft. These tags come in many forms, e.g. B. Alligator, Conch Shell and Golf Ball. These styles interlock the two sides of the tag to make it harder for thieves to remove. Each type of locking clip may require its own dedicated opening tool. In contrast, strip labels have a self-adhesive backing that adheres to an item of merchandise.

ink tags

Ink labels are designed to deter shoplifting rather than setting off an alarm when theft occurs. They are typically used on garments that would be ruined if stained with ink. If the label is removed without the tool the cashier uses, a vial will rupture inside and spill ink on the item. The ink bottles can be combined with standard RFID chips to provide additional protection. However, smaller stores often only use ink labels to save the cost of installing a detection system.

special tags

Certain types of specialty goods require their own custom security label solution. For example, labels for liquor bottles attach to the cap and set off an alarm when the cap is twisted open. Eyewear security tags are attached to the frame, usually at the temples or near the end of the arms. The thin design of the labels allows them to stick to the glasses without interfering with a customer’s ability to try them on. Shackle tags can be used to secure briefcase and purse handles.

detection systems