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Printed Security Features
Guilloche
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Extremely fine lines of mathematically calculated geometric shapes are known as guilloches. These cannot be reproduced or copied using conventional printers, as high-resolution offset printing at 2400 dpi is required to depict the complex shapes. Even digitally reproducing a real guilloche is a huge hurdle without the right formula.
Micro Text
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The very small letters of a micro text appear like a line to the naked eye and can only be read easily with a magnifying glass. Just like guilloches, micro texts cannot be reproduced with conventional printers, as the clean reproduction of these very small texts requires a high print resolution. Only an offset printing press can print real micro texts legibly in full color.
Iris Print
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Iris printing, aka rainbow printing, is a printing process in which guilloches and/or micro texts are printed with a flowing color gradient that is not created by screening two colors. This complex printing process requires a lot of know how and a special offset printing machine that allows multiple colors to be processed in one inking unit.
UV & Infrared Feature
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UV colors appear transparent and are not visible in normal daylight or artificial light. However, if the printed area is viewed under ultraviolet light (UV-A), the printed image lights up in blue, red or green. The luminosity depends on the strength and frequency of the UV light source and the ink application. Infrared (IR)-sensitive colors can be made visible using a camera with IR light or a night vision device. Both colors are primarily used as security features and can be produced using screen printing and offset printing.
Neon & Fluorescent paint
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Neon colors have an extremely high luminosity and attract attention even from a distance. This is why they are often used on emergency vehicles or in advertising. They are also used as a security feature on plastic cards.
Fluorescent colors, on the other hand, cannot be distinguished from a conventional solid color in daylight. They contain special pigments that store light and slowly release it again – the printed areas glow in the dark.
OVI®
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Paints with a latent image effect contain pigments which appear in different colors depending on the angle. From a normal point of view, the paint might appear orange and changes to a green tone when looked at from a flat angle. As a security feature OVI can easily be checked visually without any special aids.
Holographic Security Features
Customized Hologram
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Holograms with a customized motif offer a high level of counterfeit protection and verifiability without the need for tools. Two- or three-dimensional image content is incorporated into foils in a complex manufacturing process and embossed onto cards. Copying or simulating such a customized hologram is not possible with simple means.
Standard Hologram
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Besides the customized holograms, Smart Contactless offers cost-effective standard holograms in the motifs “Globe” and “VIP”. These have all the properties of a modern security hologram and protect cards effectively against copying and forgery via a card printer.
Holography
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The holographic is a special form of hot stamping and is similar to the customer-specific hologram. With a holographic image, very fine structures can be created in a standard hot stamping foil. The motif and external shape are customer-specific; the more complex the motif is, the higher the security level of this embossing. As a decorative element, the holographic graphic attracts a lot of attention and offers exclusive recognition value.
Pseudo Holograms
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The pseudo-hologram is created by combining hot stamping and blind stamping or by double hot stamping on holographic decorative foil. The pseudo hologram provides protection against copies or imitations of ID cards using card printers. For high security requirements, however, the use of original holograms is recommended.
Holopatch & Holographic Overlay
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Holographic patches or overlay foils are applied to the readily personalized card. These foils are transparent and contain holographic element which are similar to customized holograms (see above). The holo-patch consists of a PET-foils and offers additional protection to the card surface. Holographic foils protect the printed personalization data on the card. When trying to remove the personalization (picture or name) and reprinting it, the holographic motive is damaged.
Holographic Strips
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Customized holograms can also be embossed as a continuous motif in a strip 3 to 10 mm wide. Holographic stripes can also be applied under laminate. This solution offers additional protection and greater abrasion resistance. This form of hologram application is mainly used for official documents (identity cards, driving licenses and passports).
Material and Surface Effects
CLI and MLI / moveID
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CLI and MLI elements are so-called lenticulars or colloquially “wobble images”. A lenticular is inserted into the card surface, which makes two different motifs visible depending on the viewing angle. These motifs can contain variable data, which makes forgery even more difficult.
Holophotic
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The Holophotic security feature is a transparent holographic element on the card surface. This feature is applied by changing the surface of the lamination-plate during the production process. A Holophotic is visible when the card surface is reflected in light.
Transparent Card Material
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Transparent areas within a card are created in a complex manufacturing process and cannot be copied, simulated or printed on. In addition to the security aspect, partially transparent areas in a card always represent a special visual highlight.
Surface Structure
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Raised or deepened structures on the card surface can be created by specially pretreated lamination plates. This results in an interesting visual effect and also constitutes a highly effective security feature. Additionally to the high-low-effect, an alternation of matte and glossy areas are available.
Micro Engraving
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Micro-engraving refers to the smallest line structures on the card surface. These are created by laser engraving in the laminating sheets, which then press their structure into the card surface during the laminating process. Micro-engraving is often used for official documents such as a drivers license.