The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 μm arise in the coating.

The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 μm arise in the coating.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

The invention relates to a transfer film (1), in particular hot-stamping film, the use of a transfer film (1), a film, a security document (2), and a method for producing a transfer film (1). Here, it is provided that the transfer film (1) comprises a transfer layer (20) detachably arranged on a carrier layer (10). The transfer layer (20) further has at least one first color layer (30) and the at least one first color layer (30) comprises at least one binder and at least first pigments, the color appearance of which changes depending on the observation angle.

The invention relates to a multilayer body with a volume hologram layer and a partial opaque layer, arranged on a surface of the volume hologram layer, which is present in a first area and is not present in a second area. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the production of such a multilayer body, as well as a security element and security document with such a multilayer body.

The invention relates to a multilayer body with a volume hologram layer and a partial opaque layer, arranged on a surface of the volume hologram layer, which is present in a first area and is not present in a second area. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the production of such a multilayer body, as well as a security element and security document with such a multilayer body.

A method of authenticating and/or identifying a security article including a first image includes superimposing at least partially the first image of the article with a second image. The second image may be produced by an electronic imager. The method further includes performing a relative movement between the first and second images so as to make it possible to observe an item of information relating to authentication and/or identification of the security article during the relative movement between the first and second images.

A method is provided for freezing the orientation of orientable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles by irradiation hardening the coating layer comprising the orientable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles through the substrate carrying the coating layer. This method can be used in the protection of security documents, such as for example banknotes and identity documents, against counterfeit and illegal reproduction.

A method is provided for freezing the orientation of orientable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles by irradiation hardening the coating layer comprising the orientable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles through the substrate carrying the coating layer. This method can be used in the protection of security documents, such as for example banknotes and identity documents, against counterfeit and illegal reproduction.