Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.

Methods and systems are disclosed for printing vibrant grey color(s) on plastic cards. The following features, which can be used individually or in any combination thereof, can be implemented to achieve the vibrant grey color(s): 1) use of CMYK pigment inks to achieve CMYK printing; 2) a pixel extraction process and/or a print trapping process; 3) two separate print commands including a CMY (or CMYK)+blending print command and a K+blending print command; and 4) proper card set-up.

A printed object includes a substrate and a first information code disposed on the substrate, wherein: the first information code is constituted of an infrared ray-absorptive ink layer that has been printed with an infrared ray absorptive ink; and the infrared ray absorptive ink layer is configured such that, when a laminated body constituted of a test substrate made of the same material as that of the substrate, and a test infrared absorptive ink layer made of the same material as that of the infrared ray absorptive ink layer and disposed on the test substrate is subjected to a relative spectral reflectivity measurement on the test infrared ray absorptive ink layer side, with the test substrate as the reference (100% reflectivity), the minimum relative reflectivity in the visible region is 50% or higher, and the minimum relative reflectivity in the infrared region is 75% or lower.

A printed object includes a substrate and a first information code disposed on the substrate, wherein: the first information code is constituted of an infrared ray-absorptive ink layer that has been printed with an infrared ray absorptive ink; and the infrared ray absorptive ink layer is configured such that, when a laminated body constituted of a test substrate made of the same material as that of the substrate, and a test infrared absorptive ink layer made of the same material as that of the infrared ray absorptive ink layer and disposed on the test substrate is subjected to a relative spectral reflectivity measurement on the test infrared ray absorptive ink layer side, with the test substrate as the reference (100% reflectivity), the minimum relative reflectivity in the visible region is 50% or higher, and the minimum relative reflectivity in the infrared region is 75% or lower.

A security element (1) as well as a method for producing a security element (1). The security element (1), in particular a security strip or a security thread or a patch or a transfer film (2) or a laminating film or a print, for protecting security documents (3), includes at least one thermochromic element (11), wherein i) the at least one thermochromic element (11) has haptic properties; and/or ii) the security element (1) has at least one haptic layer (12).

The present invention relates to a new crystal form of the compound of formula and a process for its preparation. The compound may be used in compositions for inks, paints and plastics, especially in a wide variety of printing systems and is particularly well-suited for security applications.

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A method for structuring an anti-counterfeit marking (18) in the thickness of an object (1) made from an at least partially transparent amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline material, the at least partially transparent object (1) comprising a top surface (2) and a bottom surface (4) which extends at a distance from the top surface (2).

A method for structuring an anti-counterfeit marking (18) in the thickness of an object (1) made from an at least partially transparent amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline material, the at least partially transparent object (1) comprising a top surface (2) and a bottom surface (4) which extends at a distance from the top surface (2).

The use of a modified reduced indium tin oxide to provide a security image wherein the modified reduced indium tin oxide is obtained by heating indium tin oxide in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; and contacting the reduced indium tin oxide with an organophosphorus compound.

The use of a modified reduced indium tin oxide to provide a security image wherein the modified reduced indium tin oxide is obtained by heating indium tin oxide in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; and contacting the reduced indium tin oxide with an organophosphorus compound.