There is described a printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) comprising a rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) exhibiting, at least in part, a gradual transition from a first colour (C1) to a second colour (C2) distinct from the first colour (C1), wherein the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) extends over a colour-gradient area (A) of the printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) where first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed, each of the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) comprising a first, respectively second set of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*), the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) being printed in register one with the other by means of two distinct printing plates (PP1, PP2) so that the first and second sets of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed in the colour-gradient area (A) and thereby generate the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**), the first printed pattern (P1) exhibiting the first colour (C1) and being printed by means of a first printing plate (PP1) and the second printed pattern (P2) exhibiting the second colour (C2) and being printed by means of a second printing plate (PP2), where at least the first or second printed pattern (P1; P2) exhibits, in the colour-gradient area (A), a modulation of line width or line structure such as to cause, when superimposed or juxtaposed with the other printed pattern (P2; P1), a gradual transition from the first colour (C1) to the second colour (C2), wherein, in the colour-gradient area (A), the second printed pattern (P2) is printed on top of the first printed pattern (P1) and wherein the second colour (C2) is darker than the first colour (C1). Also described is a method of producing the aforementioned printed security element.

There is described a printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) comprising a rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) exhibiting, at least in part, a gradual transition from a first colour (C1) to a second colour (C2) distinct from the first colour (C1), wherein the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) extends over a colour-gradient area (A) of the printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) where first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed, each of the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) comprising a first, respectively second set of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*), the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) being printed in register one with the other by means of two distinct printing plates (PP1, PP2) so that the first and second sets of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed in the colour-gradient area (A) and thereby generate the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**), the first printed pattern (P1) exhibiting the first colour (C1) and being printed by means of a first printing plate (PP1) and the second printed pattern (P2) exhibiting the second colour (C2) and being printed by means of a second printing plate (PP2), where at least the first or second printed pattern (P1; P2) exhibits, in the colour-gradient area (A), a modulation of line width or line structure such as to cause, when superimposed or juxtaposed with the other printed pattern (P2; P1), a gradual transition from the first colour (C1) to the second colour (C2), wherein, in the colour-gradient area (A), the second printed pattern (P2) is printed on top of the first printed pattern (P1) and wherein the second colour (C2) is darker than the first colour (C1). Also described is a method of producing the aforementioned printed security element.

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) regionally applying a radically curable adhesive to the transfer ply and/or the substrate by means of an inkjet printhead; b) precuring the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the transfer ply to the substrate by means of a stamping apparatus; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil, to leave at least one first subregion of the transfer ply on an application region of the substrate, and at least one second subregion of the transfer ply on the carrier ply; f) winding up or recoiling the carrier ply with the remaining second subregion of the transfer ply; g) applying at least one further subregion of the transfer ply remaining on the carrier ply to the substrate by at least once repeating steps a) to f).

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) regionally applying a radically curable adhesive to the transfer ply and/or the substrate by means of an inkjet printhead; b) precuring the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the transfer ply to the substrate by means of a stamping apparatus; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil, to leave at least one first subregion of the transfer ply on an application region of the substrate, and at least one second subregion of the transfer ply on the carrier ply; f) winding up or recoiling the carrier ply with the remaining second subregion of the transfer ply; g) applying at least one further subregion of the transfer ply remaining on the carrier ply to the substrate by at least once repeating steps a) to f).

A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.

The present invention relates to a production method and to a device for document security applications including various latent images on each side. The invention comprises: depositing, according to an established pattern, at least one layer of metallized material, forming a holographic element on at least one part of one of the surfaces of a confinement substrate; defining different regions on the surface of the substrate; inducing different alignment directions for orienting a liquid crystal according to the previously defined regions; doping the liquid crystal with at least one dichroic dye; placing the liquid crystal over at least one confinement substrate, covering the holographic element; adding a second confinement substrate, forming a sandwich-type structure; and polymerizing the liquid crystal, forming a sheet.

The present invention relates to a production method and to a device for document security applications including various latent images on each side. The invention comprises: depositing, according to an established pattern, at least one layer of metallized material, forming a holographic element on at least one part of one of the surfaces of a confinement substrate; defining different regions on the surface of the substrate; inducing different alignment directions for orienting a liquid crystal according to the previously defined regions; doping the liquid crystal with at least one dichroic dye; placing the liquid crystal over at least one confinement substrate, covering the holographic element; adding a second confinement substrate, forming a sandwich-type structure; and polymerizing the liquid crystal, forming a sheet.

A security system, such as a banknote, comprises: i) a substrate, ii) a first ink, which is applied on at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the first ink includes at least one IR luminescent dye and/or at least one IR luminescent pigment, and iii) a second non-luminescent ink, which is applied on at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate onto which the first ink is/are applied, wherein the second ink includes at least one non-luminescent IR absorbing pigment and/or a least one non-luminescent IR absorbing dye, wherein the first ink and the second ink at least partially overlap on the at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the second ink is applied in the overlapping area onto the first ink, and wherein the emission spectrum of the first ink and the absorption spectrum of the second ink at least partially overlap.

A security system, such as a banknote, comprises: i) a substrate, ii) a first ink, which is applied on at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the first ink includes at least one IR luminescent dye and/or at least one IR luminescent pigment, and iii) a second non-luminescent ink, which is applied on at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate onto which the first ink is/are applied, wherein the second ink includes at least one non-luminescent IR absorbing pigment and/or a least one non-luminescent IR absorbing dye, wherein the first ink and the second ink at least partially overlap on the at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the second ink is applied in the overlapping area onto the first ink, and wherein the emission spectrum of the first ink and the absorption spectrum of the second ink at least partially overlap.

According to one example, there is provided a visual security feature. The visual security feature comprises a security feature printed on a media. The security feature includes a security code printed on the media, and a holographic image is embossed on the printed security feature.