The present disclosure provides for articles that can exhibit structural colors through the use of an optical stack and a cover release layer, where the cover release layer is disposed on an externally (or outwardly) facing surface of the optical stack. The optical stack can be disposed on a substrate, which can be disposed on a surface of an article or the optical stack can be disposed on a surface of the article. The cover release layer can be disposed on the optical stack on the side opposite the substrate or article surface so it is on the externally facing surface and can be viewed by an observer. When exposed to visible light, the optical stack imparts a structural color, where the structural color is visible color produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light). The structural color can have a single color or be multicolor, including iridescent. The cover release layer is disposed over (e.g., at least portions) of the optical stack so that the structural color is not present since it is not exposed to light, but when the cover release layer is removed, the optical stack can impart structural color. The cover release layer can be removed by abrasion (e.g., intentional or unintentional), where the abrasion can be applied to the cover release layer that causes separation of the cover release layer from the optical stack.

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.

A three-dimensionally printed object includes a plurality of different material regions that together define a surface region of the object. The plurality of different material regions includes a first material region and a second material region. The first material region has a first color, and the second material region has a second color that is different from the first color. The different material regions overlap from each other within the object by different amounts viewed from different directions so that different proportions of light from the plurality of different material regions are visible to an observer viewing the surface region of the three-dimensionally printed object from different view directions, different view angles, and with illumination lighting the surface region at different angles. A coloration of the surface region is altered based on the proportions of light from the plurality of different material regions visible to the observer.

A display that exhibits improved anti-counterfeiting effects. The display includes an uneven-structure-forming layer having an uneven structure on one surface and a reflecting layer that covers at least part of an unevenly structured surface. In the display, the uneven-structure-forming layer includes a first region group including a plurality of first regions, each first region including a flat part and a plurality of convexities or a plurality of concavities, the top surface of each of the convexities or the bottom surface of each of the concavities is substantially parallel to a surface of the flat part; distances between the centers of adjacent convexities or concavities are not equal; the convexities have a uniform height, or the concavities have a uniform depth; the first region group is formed, with the first regions arrayed inside at a regular pitch.

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 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 present invention relates to the use of coating compositions, comprising shaped transition metal, especially silver, particles and a binder, wherein the ratio of pigment to binder is preferably such that the resulting coating shows an angle dependent color change, for the production of security elements and holograms. When the coating compositions of the present invention are used in coating a hologram the obtained products show a an angle dependent color change (flip/flop effect), different colors in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright OVD image and extremely strong rainbow effect, high purity and contrast.

The present invention relates to the use of coating compositions, comprising shaped transition metal, especially silver, particles and a binder, wherein the ratio of pigment to binder is preferably such that the resulting coating shows an angle dependent color change, for the production of security elements and holograms. When the coating compositions of the present invention are used in coating a hologram the obtained products show a an angle dependent color change (flip/flop effect), different colors in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright OVD image and extremely strong rainbow effect, high purity and contrast.

As described above, one or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles having structural color, and methods of making articles having structural color. The article includes the optical element (e.g., a single layer reflector, a single layer filter, a multilayer reflector or a multilayer filter) including one or more layers (e.g., a reflective layer(s), a constituent layer(s), and the like). The surface of the article can include the optical element with regions that impart different structural colors. The different structural colors imparted are due at least in part to the different structure (e.g., cross-sectional structure) of the optical element in certain regions.