A package for an integrated circuit is marked with an encoded image (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode). The encoded image is scanned by a scanner to obtain manufacturing parameters. In one approach, a method includes: fabricating, in a manufacturing facility, a physical product using a manufacturing process, where the physical product is fabricated according to specifications, and the manufacturing process includes manufacturing steps performed in the manufacturing facility; marking the physical product with an encoded image, where the encoded image encodes parameters that include the specifications; and transporting the physical product to a storage facility, where the storage facility includes a scanner configured to scan the encoded image to obtain the parameters.

A security-enhanced document including a substrate, at least one lower portion of graphic imaging with or without first variable indicia directly or indirectly digitally imaged on the substrate, at least one release coat applied over the lower portion, at least one scratch-off layer over the release coat to maintain the lower portion imaging unreadable until removal of the scratch-off layer, and at least one second surface material portion.

A security-enhanced document including a substrate, at least one lower portion of graphic imaging with or without first variable indicia directly or indirectly digitally imaged on the substrate, at least one release coat applied over the lower portion, at least one scratch-off layer over the release coat to maintain the lower portion imaging unreadable until removal of the scratch-off layer, and at least one second surface material portion.

Provided is an ink set for security image recording comprising an infrared-absorbing ink jet ink which contains a polymerizable compound and an infrared absorbing dye and in which a maximum value of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm is larger than a maximum value of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm, and color ink jet inks which each contain a polymerizable compound and a colored colorant and satisfy a ratio of a maximum value of an absorbance of each of the color ink jet inks in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm to the maximum value of the absorbance of the infrared-absorbing ink jet ink in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm of 0.10 or less. Also provided are applications of the ink set.

Provided is an ink set for security image recording comprising an infrared-absorbing ink jet ink which contains a polymerizable compound and an infrared absorbing dye and in which a maximum value of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm is larger than a maximum value of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm, and color ink jet inks which each contain a polymerizable compound and a colored colorant and satisfy a ratio of a maximum value of an absorbance of each of the color ink jet inks in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm to the maximum value of the absorbance of the infrared-absorbing ink jet ink in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,000 nm of 0.10 or less. Also provided are applications of the ink set.

A security-enhanced document including a substrate, at least one lower portion of graphic imaging with or without first variable indicia directly or indirectly digitally imaged on the substrate, at least one release coat applied over the lower portion, at least one scratch-off layer over the release coat to maintain the lower portion imaging unreadable until removal of the scratch-off layer, and at least one second surface material portion.

A security-enhanced document including a substrate, at least one lower portion of graphic imaging with or without first variable indicia directly or indirectly digitally imaged on the substrate, at least one release coat applied over the lower portion, at least one scratch-off layer over the release coat to maintain the lower portion imaging unreadable until removal of the scratch-off layer, and at least one second surface material portion.

Manufacturing a discretized optical security microstructure on a substrate includes providing an ink into one or more cavities of a shim, the one or more cavities of the shim represent the discretized optical security microstructure, pressing the shim against the substrate, and removing the shim from the substrate. The shim is removed from the substrate such that the ink remains on a surface of the substrate forming the discretized optical security microstructure.

The shim includes a number of cavities. The characteristic size of an individual cavity is from 80 μm to 50 cm and the depth is from 300 nm to 100 μm. The cavities of the shim represent a discretized optical security microstructure representing diffractive or another optically active surface, preferably in a form of macro and/or micro relief, or simply curved shape with or without grating/hologram micro relief.

Manufacturing a discretized optical security microstructure on a substrate includes providing an ink into one or more cavities of a shim, the one or more cavities of the shim represent the discretized optical security microstructure, pressing the shim against the substrate, and removing the shim from the substrate. The shim is removed from the substrate such that the ink remains on a surface of the substrate forming the discretized optical security microstructure.

The shim includes a number of cavities. The characteristic size of an individual cavity is from 80 μm to 50 cm and the depth is from 300 nm to 100 μm. The cavities of the shim represent a discretized optical security microstructure representing diffractive or another optically active surface, preferably in a form of macro and/or micro relief, or simply curved shape with or without grating/hologram micro relief.

Methods for product authentication, which include: providing an article having a substrate with an analyte encoded composition; obtaining a sample of the composition; applying the sample to a test device to obtain test results, analyzing test results from the test device using an electronic device communicatively connected to an authentication authority, wherein the electronic device transmits the test device code and the test results to the authentication authority and confirms or denies authentication after comparison to an authentication database of authentic test results.