Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for applying a ghost image to an identification document that include the actions of obtaining a first image of an object. Identifying a first portion of the first image that corresponds with the object and a second portion of the first image that does not correspond with the object. Generating a second image by converting the first image to a negative image, and removing the second portion of the first image that does not correspond to the object. Generating a halftone image from the second image. Causing optically variable media to be applied to the identification document based on the halftone image. The optically variable media has a first appearance when viewed from in reflected light at a first angle and a second, different appearance when viewed in reflected light at a second, different angle.

A laminate includes: a first laminate member; a second laminate member; and a hidden print formed by printing invisible ink between the first laminate member and the second laminate member. The hidden print is configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation outside the visible range. When irradiated with electromagnetic radiation outside a visible range that has passed through at least one of the first laminate member and the second laminate member, the hidden print absorbs the electromagnetic radiation to thereby show a sign, and, when irradiated with visible light, the hidden print does not show the sign.

A method of manufacturing a security document, including: providing a polymer substrate having first and second surfaces; and: applying an array of focussing elements to the first surface of the polymer substrate across a first region; forming an image array by: providing a die form having a surface including an arrangement of raised areas and recessed areas defining the pattern; applying a first curable material to the surface of the die form so it substantially fills the recessed areas; bringing a pattern support layer in contact with the surface of the die form so it covers the recessed areas; separating the pattern support layer from the surface of the die form so the first curable material in the recessed areas is removed from the recessed areas and retained on the pattern support layer; and at least partly curing the first curable material in one or more curing steps.

A method of manufacturing a security document, including: providing a polymer substrate having first and second surfaces; and: applying an array of focussing elements to the first surface of the polymer substrate across a first region; forming an image array by: providing a die form having a surface including an arrangement of raised areas and recessed areas defining the pattern; applying a first curable material to the surface of the die form so it substantially fills the recessed areas; bringing a pattern support layer in contact with the surface of the die form so it covers the recessed areas; separating the pattern support layer from the surface of the die form so the first curable material in the recessed areas is removed from the recessed areas and retained on the pattern support layer; and at least partly curing the first curable material in one or more curing steps.

A display member includes: a surface which is an observation object; a first image pattern which is covered by the surface and displays, through the surface, a first image including one or more first information elements for identifying an owner of the display member; a second image pattern which is covered by the surface and in which one or more second information elements are embedded, a part of the second image pattern restricting identification of the one or more second information elements, the second image pattern including a second image that differs from the first image and is for identifying the owner of the display member; and a concealment pattern that is located between the second image pattern and the surface and removes the restriction on identification of the one or more second information elements by concealing the part of the second image pattern.

A laminating machine comprises at least one material source, configured as a sheet feeder, for sheets of a material to be laminated. The laminating machine further comprises at least one laminating unit. The laminating machine also comprises at least two lamination sources, each for at least one web-type laminating material. The laminating machine additionally comprises at least one laminating unit for producing a material web, which is laminated on both sides, from the sheets and the respective at least one laminating material. At least one lamination control device is disposed downstream of a laminating region of the laminating unit, along a transportation path provided for the transporting of the laminated material web. The control device monitors a control region, lying outside a transport region that is occupied by the transportation path provided for the laminated material web.

A laminating machine comprises at least one material source, configured as a sheet feeder, for sheets of a material to be laminated. The laminating machine further comprises at least one laminating unit. The laminating machine also comprises at least two lamination sources, each for at least one web-type laminating material. The laminating machine additionally comprises at least one laminating unit for producing a material web, which is laminated on both sides, from the sheets and the respective at least one laminating material. At least one lamination control device is disposed downstream of a laminating region of the laminating unit, along a transportation path provided for the transporting of the laminated material web. The control device monitors a control region, lying outside a transport region that is occupied by the transportation path provided for the laminated material web.

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) regionally applying a radically curable adhesive to the transfer ply and/or the substrate by means of an inkjet printhead; b) precuring the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the transfer ply to the substrate by means of a stamping apparatus; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil, to leave at least one first subregion of the transfer ply on an application region of the substrate, and at least one second subregion of the transfer ply on the carrier ply; f) winding up or recoiling the carrier ply with the remaining second subregion of the transfer ply; g) applying at least one further subregion of the transfer ply remaining on the carrier ply to the substrate by at least once repeating steps a) to f).

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) regionally applying a radically curable adhesive to the transfer ply and/or the substrate by means of an inkjet printhead; b) precuring the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the transfer ply to the substrate by means of a stamping apparatus; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil, to leave at least one first subregion of the transfer ply on an application region of the substrate, and at least one second subregion of the transfer ply on the carrier ply; f) winding up or recoiling the carrier ply with the remaining second subregion of the transfer ply; g) applying at least one further subregion of the transfer ply remaining on the carrier ply to the substrate by at least once repeating steps a) to f).

A laminate includes a diffraction layer that is optically transmissive and includes a diffraction part with a plurality of diffraction units being repetition of a diffraction unit in a direction extending the diffraction layer, each diffraction unit including at least one diffraction element with a reflective diffraction grating; and an absorption layer that is optically transmissive with a plurality of absorption parts for at least part of visible light, the absorption layer facing the diffraction layer with light passing between the diffraction layer and the absorption layer. The laminate has an observation side opposite where the diffraction layer faces the absorption layer; the diffraction layer has a surface serving as a front surface opposite to the surface facing the absorption layer; and in plan view perpendicular to the front surface of the diffraction layer, each of the absorption parts aligns with one of the diffraction elements.