A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

A contactless communication medium according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an IC module, a first member, a second member, and a print layer. The IC module is capable of performing a contactless communication. The first member is made of a first transparent resin material, the first member including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being a surface in which a concave portion that accommodates therein the IC module is formed, the second surface being situated opposite to the first surface. The second member is made of a second transparent resin material, the second member being connected to the first surface or the second surface. The print layer is arranged between the first member and the second member.

A transaction card, and processes for the manufacture thereof, having a core layer, optionally, one or more layers or coatings over the core layer, and at least one of a magnetic stripe, a machine readable code, and a payment module chip disposed in or on the card and suitable for rendering the card operable for conducting a transaction. The core layer comprises a metal-doped cured epoxy comprised of metal particles distributed in a binder consisting essentially of a cured, polymerized epoxy resin, the core comprising greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, and more preferably greater than 90%, of the weight and/or volume of the card. In some embodiments, the core includes a metal insert enveloped with the metal-doped curable epoxy, wherein the periphery of the epoxy extends beyond the periphery of the metal insert and has material properties more conducive to cutting or punching than the metal insert.

A transaction card, and processes for the manufacture thereof, having a core layer, optionally, one or more layers or coatings over the core layer, and at least one of a magnetic stripe, a machine readable code, and a payment module chip disposed in or on the card and suitable for rendering the card operable for conducting a transaction. The core layer comprises a metal-doped cured epoxy comprised of metal particles distributed in a binder consisting essentially of a cured, polymerized epoxy resin, the core comprising greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, and more preferably greater than 90%, of the weight and/or volume of the card. In some embodiments, the core includes a metal insert enveloped with the metal-doped curable epoxy, wherein the periphery of the epoxy extends beyond the periphery of the metal insert and has material properties more conducive to cutting or punching than the metal insert.

A security element including: a first layer having a first surface; an array of image regions across the surface, each region including at least first and second sub-regions; a first diffractive optically variable effect generating structure in or on the surface across the first sub-regions; and a second diffractive optically variable effect generating structure in or on the surface across the second sub-regions; wherein the surface is arranged so each first sub-region has a first average inclination and each second sub-region has a second average inclination different from the first, wherein the first structure and inclination provide that the first effect is exhibited across the first sub-regions at least at a first viewing angle and the second structure and inclination provide that the second effect is exhibited across the second sub-regions at least at a second viewing angle different from the first. Also, a method of manufacturing the security element.

A security element including: a first layer having a first surface; an array of image regions across the surface, each region including at least first and second sub-regions; a first diffractive optically variable effect generating structure in or on the surface across the first sub-regions; and a second diffractive optically variable effect generating structure in or on the surface across the second sub-regions; wherein the surface is arranged so each first sub-region has a first average inclination and each second sub-region has a second average inclination different from the first, wherein the first structure and inclination provide that the first effect is exhibited across the first sub-regions at least at a first viewing angle and the second structure and inclination provide that the second effect is exhibited across the second sub-regions at least at a second viewing angle different from the first. Also, a method of manufacturing the security element.

An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.

An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.

A multilayered printed matter includes a group of print layers formed on a medium. The group of layers include a front layer and a back layer on which patterns are printed, a white layer, and a black layer. The white layer is interposed between the front layer and the back layer to conceal the back layer to be invisible from the side of the front layer. The white layer reflects incident light from the side of the front layer to allow the front layer to be visible from the side of the front layer. The black layer is interposed between the white layer and the back layer to conceal the back layer to be invisible from the side of the front layer. In comparison between the black layer and the white layer that are equal in thickness, the black layer exerts a higher light blocking effect than the white layer.