In the method for applying identification features to a packing strip in order to authenticate the processed packing, the packing strip is fed in a packing line to an embossing station, where logos of all kinds and/or codes and/or a satin finish and/or fold lines are embossed at the cycle rate of the packing machine by means of embossing rollers by deforming the packing strip, Identification: features and possibly other features are produced additionally on the packing strip on-line, in the same process step, and synchronously to the cycle rate by material removal by means of a feature setup comprising a laser installation, the packing strip having a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm. The thus treated packing strip is subsequently further processed. Due to the fact that the feature setup for producing the identification features is provided in addition to the embossing rollers but operates in the same process step, all known embossing rollers can be used, and due to the application of lasers for producing the features, e.g. a consecutive numbering can be produced, thereby ensuring a secure authentication method without the need of changing substantially the embossing station comprising a housing with at least two embossing rolls, or lowering the processing speed.