The problem
- Hologram stickers and paper COAs are cheap to copy.
- Match-worn claims are hard to verify after the event.
- Counterfeits undercut official merchandise and harm fan trust.
- Authenticator opinions live in letters separate from the item.
Provenance for clubs, athletes & authenticators
Fakes thrive where evidence is weak. Tagging at the moment of signing or the final whistle gives fans proof that cannot be printed on a sticker.
- 01
Prepare tags before the event
Pre-register identities so tags can be applied quickly at signings or after matches.
- 02
Capture live evidence
Photograph or film the signing or the item in use, and record date, event, location and witness.
- 03
Apply tamper-evident NFC
Use tamper-evident secure tags that break if removed, so they cannot be moved to a fake.
- 04
Issue to the fan or buyer
Transfer the record at the point of sale or giveaway, creating a primary-market chain of custody.
- 05
Support the resale market
Let later buyers check the record and append their purchase, keeping the chain unbroken.
What to record
- — Event, date and location
- — Photo or video of signing or use
- — Witness or official issuer details
- — Item type, size and identifying marks
- — Authenticator opinion
- — Every later change of ownership
Toolkit
- — Tamper-evident secure NFC tags
- — Sewn-in or heat-applied tags for textiles
- — On-metal tags for trophies and medals
- — SmartLinks for issuing official identities at scale
Practical checklist
Apply this to your own items
Before you start
Workflow
Record for each item
Toolkit to have ready
Check before you finish
Go deeper: choosing NFC chips, QR vs NFC, Digital Product Passports and the provenance glossary.
Other journeys: Artists & studios, Galleries & auction houses, Collectors & estates, Luxury brands & makers.
Sources
- [1] OECD/EUIPO, Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025
Counterfeits at 2.3% of global trade and 4.7% of EU imports (2021 data)
Last verified:
- [2] NXP, NTAG 424 DNA (NT4H2421Gx) product data sheet
416 bytes user memory, AES-128, Secure Unique NFC (SUN) messages; TagTamper variant
Last verified:
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Give your collection a digital identity
SmartLinks connects physical objects to a living digital record — one identity per item, readable by QR or NFC, with ownership history, documents and media that travel with it.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can NFC tags survive being washed?+
Some textile NFC tags are designed for laundering, but signed memorabilia should generally not be washed at all. Choose a tag rated for the conditions the item will face.
Can authenticators add their opinion to an existing tag?+
Yes. An authenticator can attach a dated, attributed opinion to the item's record, so it travels with the object instead of in a separate letter.
What about items signed years ago?+
They can be retro-tagged with whatever evidence exists. The record should state clearly that tagging happened after the event and on what evidence the claim rests.