A method for producing pigments having a specified contour, comprises the steps of creating a pigment layer on a starting substrate; detaching from the starting substrate; and structuring the pigment layer into a plurality of the pigments; characterized by bringing into contact the pigment layer with an intermediate substrate, wherein the pigment layer adheres at least in sections to the intermediate substrate; and separating intermediate substrate and starting substrate.

A display having high resistance to counterfeiting including a micro concavo-convex structure layer on a predetermined reference surface, the micro concavo-convex structure layer having a plurality of microstructures arranged on the reference surface. Each of the microstructures is formed of a prism structure made of a material that transmits light with a triangular cross-section having a first surface inclined relative to the reference surface in side view, and a second surface having an inclination angle relative to the reference surface such that the inclination angle is larger than an inclination angle of the first surface relative to the reference surface. A color layer as an example of a functional layer is provided on the second surface of all or some of the plurality of microstructures.

The disclosure relates to an optical security feature that is based on a single axis alignment of mirrors or facets in a structured surface that forms a micro mirror array. In an aspect, a device is described that includes a reflecting structure on a first layer, where the reflecting structure has a top surface with multiple embossed facets arranged in a spatial orientation that produces a flat ring optical effect upon incidence of light. In another aspect, a method for making the device is described that provides a reflecting layer and produces the reflecting structure on the reflecting layer with multiple facets arranged in the spatial orientation to produce the flat ring optical effect. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for making the device is described that includes a pressing device and a stamping device to transfer a pattern of the reflecting structure to a reflecting material.

The disclosure relates to an optical security feature that is based on a single axis alignment of mirrors or facets in a structured surface that forms a micro mirror array. In an aspect, a device is described that includes a reflecting structure on a first layer, where the reflecting structure has a top surface with multiple embossed facets arranged in a spatial orientation that produces a flat ring optical effect upon incidence of light. In another aspect, a method for making the device is described that provides a reflecting layer and produces the reflecting structure on the reflecting layer with multiple facets arranged in the spatial orientation to produce the flat ring optical effect. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for making the device is described that includes a pressing device and a stamping device to transfer a pattern of the reflecting structure to a reflecting material.

A decorative foil, a method for producing a decorative foil as well as a method for decorating a target substrate. The decorative foil, in particular laminating foil, cold stamping foil or hot stamping foil, includes a carrier film (42) and an all-over varnish layer (41), wherein the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of from 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm.

A method of inspecting a substantially transparent light control layer for an optically variable security device and a corresponding inspection apparatus, the substantially transparent light control layer including a surface relief defined by an array of substantially transparent refractive microstructures. The method includes: directing a beam of substantially collimated light towards a first region that is expected to contain the surface relief of the light control layer so as to generate an inspection light pattern; providing reference data that is indicative of a light control layer that meets a predetermined quality threshold; comparing the inspection light pattern with the reference data; and determining whether the light control layer meets the predetermined quality threshold based on the comparison.

A micro-optic device, including: a substrate; a plurality of image elements; and a plurality of focusing elements, each focusing element focuses light towards, or causes light to be diverged from or constructively interfere at a real or imaginary focal point, the focusing elements causing the image elements to be sampled so as to project imagery which is observable to a user from at least a first viewing angle, wherein a first focusing structure including at least a first group of the focusing elements and a first imagery structure including at least a first group of the image elements are integrated into a first unitary structure on a first side of the substrate.

A micro-optic device, including: a substrate; a plurality of image elements; and a plurality of focusing elements, each focusing element focuses light towards, or causes light to be diverged from or constructively interfere at a real or imaginary focal point, the focusing elements causing the image elements to be sampled so as to project imagery which is observable to a user from at least a first viewing angle, wherein a first focusing structure including at least a first group of the focusing elements and a first imagery structure including at least a first group of the image elements are integrated into a first unitary structure on a first side of the substrate.

A label, and methods and systems for preparing the label. The label includes a lens or lens array. The label includes at least one surface, a portion of which is embossed, and a lens array provided by the embossed portion of the at least one surface. The method includes applying a material to a substrate and contacting a surface of the material with a master engraving to provide an embossed region on a least a portion of the surface of the material, wherein the embossed region provides at least one lens.

A label, and methods and systems for preparing the label. The label includes a lens or lens array. The label includes at least one surface, a portion of which is embossed, and a lens array provided by the embossed portion of the at least one surface. The method includes applying a material to a substrate and contacting a surface of the material with a master engraving to provide an embossed region on a least a portion of the surface of the material, wherein the embossed region provides at least one lens.