A method of cast curing microstructures of a micro-optic security device includes jetting a first volume of a first radiation-curable resin directly onto a casting master to form a layer of the first radiation-curable resin having a first thickness, bringing the casting master into contact with a substrate along a squeeze line to transfer the first radiation-curable resin to the substrate and applying curing radiation to the transferred first radiation-curable resin.

A method of cast curing microstructures of a micro-optic security device includes jetting a first volume of a first radiation-curable resin directly onto a casting master to form a layer of the first radiation-curable resin having a first thickness, bringing the casting master into contact with a substrate along a squeeze line to transfer the first radiation-curable resin to the substrate and applying curing radiation to the transferred first radiation-curable resin.

A method of manufacturing an image element array includes: providing a production tool having a surface pattern of ink-receptive elements spaced by areas which are not, the ink-receptive elements defining the array image elements; applying a multi-colored first image formed of a inks to only the ink-receptive elements; and transferring only the portions of the multi-colored first image corresponding to the image elements from the production tool to a substrate. An image element array is formed on the substrate. The production tool surface pattern is configured such that when viewing and image element arrays overlap, each viewing element within an image element array first region directs light from a respective image element or from a respective gap. The viewing angle in the first region directs light from either the array or the gaps.

A method of manufacturing an image element array includes: providing a production tool having a surface pattern of ink-receptive elements spaced by areas which are not, the ink-receptive elements defining the array image elements; applying a multi-colored first image formed of a inks to only the ink-receptive elements; and transferring only the portions of the multi-colored first image corresponding to the image elements from the production tool to a substrate. An image element array is formed on the substrate. The production tool surface pattern is configured such that when viewing and image element arrays overlap, each viewing element within an image element array first region directs light from a respective image element or from a respective gap. The viewing angle in the first region directs light from either the array or the gaps.

Personal data may be embedded in a kinegram of an identification document using a suitable low energy laser without compromising the integrity of the kinegram or the identification document. The personal data can be written in a metalized portion of the kinegram in a high definition, high resolution manner such that the personal data may be read by a human without the use of a text-enhancing viewer device (e.g., magnifying glasses). Additional personal data can be written in a reduced text size (e.g., micro-text) in another metalized portion of the kinegram such that a human must use a text-enhancing viewer device to view the micro-text personal data.

Personal data may be embedded in a kinegram of an identification document using a suitable low energy laser without compromising the integrity of the kinegram or the identification document. The personal data can be written in a metalized portion of the kinegram in a high definition, high resolution manner such that the personal data may be read by a human without the use of a text-enhancing viewer device (e.g., magnifying glasses). Additional personal data can be written in a reduced text size (e.g., micro-text) in another metalized portion of the kinegram such that a human must use a text-enhancing viewer device to view the micro-text personal data.

A method for applying a security device (e.g., a micro-optic security thread) to a fibrous web during manufacture is provided. By way of the inventive method, the security device is preferably applied onto the fibrous web at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface. Moreover, the surface-applied security devices showed acceptable levels of intaglio ink adhesion, and the papers had higher cross-direction (CD) tensile strength and much less show-through on opposing sides thereof.

A method for applying a security device (e.g., a micro-optic security thread) to a fibrous web during manufacture is provided. By way of the inventive method, the security device is preferably applied onto the fibrous web at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface. Moreover, the surface-applied security devices showed acceptable levels of intaglio ink adhesion, and the papers had higher cross-direction (CD) tensile strength and much less show-through on opposing sides thereof.

A method of manufacturing a first security document, the security document including a first periodic array of image elements applied to a first surface of a transparent substrate and extending in a first direction; and a first periodic array of revealing elements applied to an opposing surface of the substrate and extending in a second direction, the first periodic array of revealing elements being superposed with the first periodic array of image elements, such that an optical variable effect can be observed between at least a first viewing angle and a second viewing angle. The method includes the steps of (a) determining one or more characteristics of moir bands that would be or are observed to transition across the first periodic array of image elements during movement of the security document relative to an observer between, at least, the first viewing angle and the second viewing angle as a result of the first direction being different from the second direction; (b) constraining at least one dimension of the first periodic array of image elements and/or the first periodic array of revealing elements to be smaller than the width of at least one of the moir bands; and (c). causing the first periodic array of image elements and the first periodic array of revealing elements, constrained as set out in step (b), to be manufactured as part of the security document.

A method of manufacturing a first security document, the security document including a first periodic array of image elements applied to a first surface of a transparent substrate and extending in a first direction; and a first periodic array of revealing elements applied to an opposing surface of the substrate and extending in a second direction, the first periodic array of revealing elements being superposed with the first periodic array of image elements, such that an optical variable effect can be observed between at least a first viewing angle and a second viewing angle. The method includes the steps of (a) determining one or more characteristics of moir bands that would be or are observed to transition across the first periodic array of image elements during movement of the security document relative to an observer between, at least, the first viewing angle and the second viewing angle as a result of the first direction being different from the second direction; (b) constraining at least one dimension of the first periodic array of image elements and/or the first periodic array of revealing elements to be smaller than the width of at least one of the moir bands; and (c). causing the first periodic array of image elements and the first periodic array of revealing elements, constrained as set out in step (b), to be manufactured as part of the security document.