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.

The present invention relates to a security device comprising a colloidal crystal which exhibits excellent visibility and is also easily manufactured. The security device, according to the present invention, comprises: a substrate; a groove part formed on the substrate; a colloidal crystal positioned in the groove part; and an aging film. The security device, according to the present invention, exhibits excellent security and visibility, and thus may be used for securities, credit cards, security cards, anti-forgery products, etc.

The present invention relates to a security device comprising a colloidal crystal which exhibits excellent visibility and is also easily manufactured. The security device, according to the present invention, comprises: a substrate; a groove part formed on the substrate; a colloidal crystal positioned in the groove part; and an aging film. The security device, according to the present invention, exhibits excellent security and visibility, and thus may be used for securities, credit cards, security cards, anti-forgery products, etc.

A security device is disclosed that has an image formed upon a substrate. The image has a first printed region and a second different printed region both printed with a same ink formulation of field alignable flakes. At least one of the printed regions has optically variable effects. One of the first and second printed regions at least partially surrounds the other. The second printed region is formed of thin parallel lines and the first printed region has substantially wider lines than are printed in the second printed region. The area density of the ink in a line in the first group of wider lines is greater than the area density of a line in the second group of narrower lines. A surprising effect of this image is that particles or flakes in the ink are field aligned so as to produce a visible kinematic dynamic effect visible in the first region and not visible in the second region when the image is tilted or rotated.

A security device is disclosed that has an image formed upon a substrate. The image has a first printed region and a second different printed region both printed with a same ink formulation of field alignable flakes. At least one of the printed regions has optically variable effects. One of the first and second printed regions at least partially surrounds the other. The second printed region is formed of thin parallel lines and the first printed region has substantially wider lines than are printed in the second printed region. The area density of the ink in a line in the first group of wider lines is greater than the area density of a line in the second group of narrower lines. A surprising effect of this image is that particles or flakes in the ink are field aligned so as to produce a visible kinematic dynamic effect visible in the first region and not visible in the second region when the image is tilted or rotated.

Methods and systems are disclosed for printing vibrant grey color(s) on plastic cards. The following features, which can be used individually or in any combination thereof, can be implemented to achieve the vibrant grey color(s): 1) use of CMYK pigment inks to achieve CMYK printing; 2) a pixel extraction process and/or a print trapping process; 3) two separate print commands including a CMY (or CMYK)+blending print command and a K+blending print command; and 4) proper card set-up.

A security element (1) as well as a method for producing a security element (1). The security element (1), in particular a security strip or a security thread or a patch or a transfer film (2) or a laminating film or a print, for protecting security documents (3), includes at least one thermochromic element (11), wherein i) the at least one thermochromic element (11) has haptic properties; and/or ii) the security element (1) has at least one haptic layer (12).

A method for manufacturing a value document includes: providing a value document substrate; printing the value document substrate with magnetically orientable effect pigments which are dispersed in a UV-curable lacquer; the step of exposing the lacquer containing the magnetically orientable effect pigments to a dynamic magnetic field; the step of irradiating the lacquer containing the effect pigments with UV radiation; and optionally the step of embossing the cured or at least partially cured UV lacquer.

A method for manufacturing a value document includes: providing a value document substrate; printing the value document substrate with magnetically orientable effect pigments which are dispersed in a UV-curable lacquer; the step of exposing the lacquer containing the magnetically orientable effect pigments to a dynamic magnetic field; the step of irradiating the lacquer containing the effect pigments with UV radiation; and optionally the step of embossing the cured or at least partially cured UV lacquer.