A method and apparatus for printing a security mark via a non-fluorescent toner is disclosed. For example, the method may be executed by a processor and includes receiving an electronic file of a security mark to be printed on a substrate, determining an amount of halftone coverage for a non-fluorescent toner based on a brightness of the substrate, converting the electronic file of the security mark into a printer description language with the amount of halftone coverage that is determined, and causing the security mark to be printed on the substrate.

A printing system receives a print request containing patterns of marks to be printed on print media to produce printed output. A processor evaluates the print request to identify non-marking areas and identify different printing densities of the patterns of marks. The processor alters the patterns of marks to create hidden features on the printed output by adding a uniform printed background to the non-marking areas and adding different printing densities of fluorescent spots to different areas of the patterns of marks. The different printing densities of the fluorescent spots are based on the different printing densities of the patterns of marks and on the size of the hidden features. A printing device prints the print request on the print media to produce the printed output.

A printing system receives a print request containing patterns of marks to be printed on print media to produce printed output. A processor evaluates the print request to identify non-marking areas and identify different printing densities of the patterns of marks. The processor alters the patterns of marks to create hidden features on the printed output by adding a uniform printed background to the non-marking areas and adding different printing densities of fluorescent spots to different areas of the patterns of marks. The different printing densities of the fluorescent spots are based on the different printing densities of the patterns of marks and on the size of the hidden features. A printing device prints the print request on the print media to produce the printed output.

A method of forming an array of microimage elements that vary in their material composition is provided. The method comprises: applying a first region of a layer of a first material to a surface of a first material carrier; applying a second region of a layer of a second material, different from the first material, to a surface of a second material carrier; blending together the first and second regions of the layers of first and second material such that a blended region of the layers of first and second material exhibits a gradual change in relative concentration of the first and second materials along a first direction, the step of blending together the first and second regions of the layers of first and second material comprising bringing a first blending surface into contact with the first material on the surface of the first material carrier and moving the first blending surface relative to the surface of the first material carrier along a direction corresponding to the first direction to spread the layer of first material along the direction corresponding to the first direction, and bringing a second blending surface into contact with the second material on the second material carrier and moving the second blending surface relative to the surface of the second material carrier along a direction corresponding to the first direction to spread the layer of second material along the direction corresponding to the first direction; bringing the blended layers of first and second material in the blended region into contact with a patterned material carrier, the surface of the patterned material carrier defining a pattern corresponding to the array of microimage elements, the patterned material carrier selectively removing the first and second material in at least the blended region in accordance with the pattern; and transferring the blended layers of first and second material defining the array of microimage elements on to a support layer.

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 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.

The invention provides an authenticatable ballot and method wherein a printable substrate is provided with at least one of overt authenticating indicia and covert authenticating indicia. The overt and covert authenticating indicia provide a means for voters and ballot counting entities to authenticate ballots by verifying the presence of sanctioned overt and covert authenticating indicia. The overt authenticating indicia is observable by the human eye without the use of any specialized tool or light source. The covert authenticating indicia are not readily apparent to the human eye and require the indicia to be resolved using a specialized tool, such as an ultraviolet or infrared light source.

The invention provides an authenticatable ballot and method wherein a printable substrate is provided with at least one of overt authenticating indicia and covert authenticating indicia. The overt and covert authenticating indicia provide a means for voters and ballot counting entities to authenticate ballots by verifying the presence of sanctioned overt and covert authenticating indicia. The overt authenticating indicia is observable by the human eye without the use of any specialized tool or light source. The covert authenticating indicia are not readily apparent to the human eye and require the indicia to be resolved using a specialized tool, such as an ultraviolet or infrared light source.

Example embodiments of information-shielding cards and systems and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An information-shielding card can comprising a substrate comprising a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, a chip embedded in the second layer, and a quick-response (QR) code formed on the second layer. The second layer can be disposed between the first layer and the third layer. The first layer can comprise a first material that is transparent when exposed to a non-visible light, the second layer can comprise a second material that is opaque when exposed to visible light and when exposed to non-visible light, and the third layer comprises a third material that is transparent when exposed to a non-visible light.