A method includes embossing a section of a micro-optic security thread at a predetermined pressure in an embossing die having a male half and a female half, the micro-optic security thread comprising a polymeric substrate having a first side and a second side, forming a web of a substrate in a paper making machine, wherein the web comprises a length of cellulosic material formed at a wet end of the paper making machine and maintained under tension between the wet end of the paper making machine and a dryer section of the paper making machine, forming a watermark feature in the substrate, and adhering the micro-optic security thread by positioning the embossed section such that the layer of icon elements contacts at least a portion of the web comprising the watermark feature.

A paper including one or more multi-tonal watermarks having full tonality (depth), and an improved watermarking tool for manufacturing such paper, is provided. The improved watermarking tool is selected from the group of: (a) an assembly that is made up of an electrotype element representing a halftone image of a watermark, and a wire-mesh for use in the manufacture of watermarked paper, wherein the electrotype element is affixed to the wire-mesh, and wherein the electrotype element and the wire-mesh are pressed or embossed, either separately or together in register, with the image of the watermark represented by the electrotype element; and (b) an enhanced wire-mesh made up of woven wires which may be arranged in a regular or substantially regular grid, wherein areas of the grid are filled with a polymeric material which forms regions of blocked drainage, wherein the wire-mesh including open areas as well as those areas filled with the polymeric material are pressed or embossed either separately or together with an image of a watermark.

A paper including one or more multi-tonal watermarks having full tonality (depth), and an improved watermarking tool for manufacturing such paper, is provided. The improved watermarking tool is selected from the group of: (a) an assembly that is made up of an electrotype element representing a halftone image of a watermark, and a wire-mesh for use in the manufacture of watermarked paper, wherein the electrotype element is affixed to the wire-mesh, and wherein the electrotype element and the wire-mesh are pressed or embossed, either separately or together in register, with the image of the watermark represented by the electrotype element; and (b) an enhanced wire-mesh made up of woven wires which may be arranged in a regular or substantially regular grid, wherein areas of the grid are filled with a polymeric material which forms regions of blocked drainage, wherein the wire-mesh including open areas as well as those areas filled with the polymeric material are pressed or embossed either separately or together with an image of a watermark.

A method for manufacturing watermarked paper, comprising: a step of forming a first fibrous panel which comprises at least one watermark element; a step of forming a second, thin fibrous panel; a step of removal, by way of suction, of at least one portion of the second, thin fibrous panel in order to produce a localized reduction in thickness at a first face of the second, thin fibrous panel, so as to provide at least one accommodation seat intended to accommodate a security element; a step of coupling between the first fibrous panel and the face of the second, thin fibrous panel which lies opposite the first face.

A method for manufacturing watermarked paper, comprising: a step of forming a first fibrous panel which comprises at least one watermark element; a step of forming a second, thin fibrous panel; a step of removal, by way of suction, of at least one portion of the second, thin fibrous panel in order to produce a localized reduction in thickness at a first face of the second, thin fibrous panel, so as to provide at least one accommodation seat intended to accommodate a security element; a step of coupling between the first fibrous panel and the face of the second, thin fibrous panel which lies opposite the first face.