Absorbent Medium, Transfer Film, Security Element, and Method for Personalizing a Security Element

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent medium for improving the overprintability, in particular by inkjet printing, of a security element, in particular an optically variable security element, comprising a binder, at least one pigment and an in particular aqueous solvent. The invention furthermore relates to a transfer film with an absorbent layer made of such an absorbent medium as well as a method for personalizing a security element using such a transfer film.

Claims

1. An absorbent medium for improving the overprintability, by inkjet printing, of an optically variable security element, comprising: a binder; at least one pigment; an aqueous solvent.

2. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

3. The absorbent medium according to claim 2, wherein a molecular weight of the polyvinyl alcohol is 100 kg/mol to 200 kg/mol.

4. The absorbent medium according to claim 2, wherein a degree of hydrolysis of the polyvinyl alcohol is from 74% to 98%.

5. The absorbent medium according to claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is modified, by cationic modification and/or modification with silanol.

6. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the binder comprises cationically modified starch.

7. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the binder comprises gelatin, crosslinked by at least one metal salt from the group Fe.sup.2+, Cr.sup.+, Pb.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+.

8. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the binder is crosslinked, by boric acid, boron oxide, epichlorohydrin, glyoxal, melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker, aziridine and/or metal salts from the group Cr.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+.

9. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the pigment is a fumed silica, fumed alumina or a fumed aluminum mixed oxide.

10. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the pigment has a specific surface area of from 50 m.sup.2/g to 380 m.sup.2/g.

11. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the pigment has a grain size of from 7 nm to 40 nm.

12. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein a grain-size distribution of the pigment is bimodal and has a first maximum at 5 nm to 10 nm, and a second maximum at 35 nm to 45 nm.

13. The absorbent medium according to claim 12, wherein an intensity ratio of the first and second maxima is 1:8 to 1:20.

14. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent medium comprises at least one cationic additive from the group polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, polyethylenimine, quaternary ammonium compounds, Al salts.

15. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein a proportion by weight of the binder is 2 wt. % to 10 wt. %.

16. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein a proportion by weight of the pigment is 10 wt. % to 20 wt. %.

17. The absorbent medium according to claim 1, wherein a proportion by weight of a crosslinking agent is 0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. %.

18. A transfer film for transferring an absorbent layer onto a substrate, comprising a carrier ply and an at least partial absorbent layer made of an absorbent medium according to claim 1.

19. The transfer film according to claim 18, wherein the absorbent layer has a layer thickness of from 3 μm to 50 μm.

20. The transfer film according to claim 18, wherein the carrier ply comprises a carrier film, made of PET, with a layer thickness 6 μm to 75 μm.

21. The transfer film according to claim 18, wherein the carrier ply comprises a structural layer, made of a UV-crosslinked varnish, a thermoplastically deformable layer or made of a depositing print, with a layer thickness of from 0.5 μm to 10 μm.

22. The transfer film according to claim 21, wherein the structural layer has a tactilely recognizable and/or optically recognizable and/or dirt-repellent relief structure in a surface onto which the absorbent layer is deposited.

23. The transfer film according to claim 18, wherein the transfer film has a detachment layer, made of a wax, with a layer thickness of from 1 nm to 50 nm, which is arranged between the carrier ply and the absorbent layer.

24. The transfer film according to claim 18, wherein the transfer film has an adhesive layer, made of a hot-melt adhesive or a UV-curing adhesive, with a layer thickness of from 0.5 μm to 8 μm, which is arranged on the surface of the absorbent layer facing away from the carrier ply.

25. A security element for personalization by means of inkjet printing, comprising an at least partial absorbent layer made of an absorbent medium according to claim 1.

26. The security element according to claim 25, wherein the security element comprises one or more of the following layers: a carrier ply, a detachment layer, a protective layer, a replication layer, a reflective layer, a color varnish layer, an adhesive layer.

27. A method for personalizing a security element, with the steps of: providing a security element; applying the security element to a substrate; applying an at least partial absorbent layer made of an absorbent medium according to claim 1; applying a personalization feature to the absorbent layer, by inkjet printing.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer is applied to the substrate after application of the security element.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the absorbent layer overlaps at least one edge of the security element and extends onto the substrate with a partial area.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer is applied to the security element before the application of the security element to the substrate.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer is applied by hot embossing of a transfer film.

32. The method according to claim 27, wherein the absorbent layer and/or the security element are transferred onto an auxiliary carrier and die-cut into a predefined shape before being applied.

33. The method according to claim 27, wherein the personalization feature is or comprises a serial number, an identification number, a name, a vehicle license plate, a date of birth, a date of issue and/or a date of expiry.

34. The method according to claim 27, wherein before application of the absorbent layer to the security feature, a further printed layer is applied, by offset or intaglio printing.

35. The method according to claim 27, wherein before the application of the personalization feature, a security feature is printed on the absorbent layer, using a fluorescent indicator printing ink and/or UV-active indicator printing ink and/or an indicator printing ink that bleeds under the influence of water and/or under the influence of solvents.

36. The method according to claim 27, wherein a security element is provided which comprises one or more of the following layers: a carrier ply, a detachment layer, a protective layer, a replication layer, a reflective layer, a color varnish layer, an adhesive layer.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein a security element is provided which has two adhesive layers, which form two opposite surfaces of the security element after removal of a carrier ply.

38. A security document which is obtained using a method according to claim 27.

39. The security document according to claim 38, wherein the security document is formed as a visa document, identification document, passport document, driver's license document, vehicle registration document, credit card, banknote, security.

Description

[0123] The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to embodiment examples. There are shown in:

[0124] FIG. 1 A schematic top view of an embodiment example of a security document with a personalized security element;

[0125] FIG. 2 A schematic sectional representation through an embodiment example of a security element that can be used to produce the security document according to FIG. 1;

[0126] FIGS. 3A-C A schematic sectional representation through embodiment examples of a transfer film with an absorbent layer for improving printability;

[0127] FIG. 4 A schematic detail view of the transfer film according to FIG. 3;

[0128] FIG. 5 A schematic detail view of an alternative transfer film with an absorbent layer with a structured surface;

[0129] FIG. 6 A schematic sectional representation through an embodiment example of a security document with a security element and an absorbent layer;

[0130] FIG. 7 A schematic sectional representation through an alternative embodiment example of a security document with a security element and an absorbent layer;

[0131] FIG. 8 A schematic sectional representation through an embodiment example of a security element with an integrated absorbent layer;

[0132] FIG. 9 A schematic sectional representation through a security element according to claim 8 after it has been applied to a substrate;

[0133] FIG. 10 A schematic sectional representation through a security element according to claim 8 after it has been applied to an auxiliary carrier;

[0134] FIG. 11 A schematic representation of the manufacturing steps in the production of a security element with integrated absorbent layer using a transfer film according to FIG. 4;

[0135] FIG. 12 A schematic representation of the manufacturing steps in the production of a security document using a transfer film according to FIG. 4 as well as a security element with two adhesive layers.

[0136] A personalized security document 1 represented in FIG. 1 comprises an optically variable security element 2, which is applied to a substrate 11 of the security document 1. A personalization feature 3, which in the embodiment example shown comprises a photograph 31, for example of the document holder, and an alphanumeric personalization feature 32, for example a document number, personal data of the document holder, or also a date of issue or expiry, is applied over the security element 2.

[0137] The personalization of the security document 1 is effected by means of inkjet printing. The personalization feature 3 overlaps the security element 2 at least in partial areas.

[0138] Further printed layers (offset, intaglio, etc.) are not represented. They can be applied before and/or after the application of the security element 2. These prints can likewise be individually designed at least partially and, for example, represent a document number. Such prints are applied, for example, by means of a numbering machine.

[0139] Substrates 11 based on paper, wherein at least the surface consists of paper, are particularly suitable for personalization by means of aqueous inkjet printing. However, other substrate materials can also be used, for example based on polypropylene (PP) or Teslin®, as long as they are provided with an inkjet-receptive coating. Paper based on cotton is preferred.

[0140] An example of a security element 2 that can be used for this is shown in a schematic sectional representation in FIG. 2. This can be, for example, a Kinegram®.

[0141] The security element 2 comprises a carrier ply 21, a detachment layer 22, a protective layer 23, a replication layer 24, a reflective layer 25 and an adhesive layer 26. The carrier ply 21 is preferably formed as a film made of PET and is preferably between 6 μm and 50 μm thick.

[0142] The detachment layer 22 is optional and consists, for example, of wax components or of a multilayer combination of a thin wax layer adjoining the carrier ply 21 and a polymer layer attached to the wax layer. A detachment layer 22 is used if the carrier ply 21 is to be removed from the security element 2 after application to the substrate 11. This is the case, for example, when the security element 2 is formed as a hot-embossing film or cold-embossing film. In the case of security elements 2 formed as laminating films, the carrier ply remains on the security element 2, with the result that a detachment layer 22 can be dispensed with.

[0143] The protective layer 23 can also have a separating effect vis-à-vis the carrier ply 21 and make a separate detachment layer 22 unnecessary. The protective layer 23 can, for example, consist of a UV-curing or thermoplastic varnish. Suitable protective varnishes are, for example, formulated on the basis of PVC, polyester or acrylates and are preferably 0.5 μm to 10 μm thick. After detachment of the carrier ply 21, the protective layer 23 protects the security element 2 from environmental influences, scratching and the like. Protective varnishes crosslinking chemically or by means of radiation are particularly suitable.

[0144] The protective layer 23 can also be designed multilayered.

[0145] In order to implement further optically variable diffractive or refractive structures, the security element 2 comprises a replication varnish layer 24 with a surface relief. This is thermoplastic or UV-curing and 0.2 μm to 5 μm thick. The materials of the replication varnish layer 24 are preferably highly transparent, like the layers 22 and 23. If necessary, dyes or pigments can also be included in order to achieve a desired, in particular chromatically transparent color impression.

[0146] The surface relief preferably comprises one or more relief structures selected from the group diffractive grating, hologram, blazed grating, linear grating, cross grating, hexagonal grating, asymmetrical or symmetrical grating structure, retroreflective structure, microlens, microprism, zero-order diffraction structure, moth-eye structure or anisotropic or isotropic mat structure, or a superimposition of two or more of the above-named relief structures.

[0147] A reflective layer 25 made of metal, preferably of Al, Cr, Cu, Ag, Au, Ni or an alloy thereof, which serves to make the diffractive structures of the replication varnish layer 24 visible, is vapor-deposited directly onto the replication varnish layer 24. Alternatively, an HRI (high refractive index) layer, in particular made of ZnS, TiO.sub.2, Nb.sub.2O.sub.5, is also possible. Alternatively, a varnish layer with metallic pigments can also be provided. The layer thickness of the reflective layer in the case of metals is expediently from 5 nm to 200 nm, preferably from 10 nm to 50 nm. The layer thickness of the reflective layer in the case of HRI layers is expediently from 10 nm to 200 nm, preferably from 25 nm to 100 nm.

[0148] A single- or multilayer adhesive layer 26, which can be formed thermoplastic, UV-curing or thermally curing, for example on the basis of acrylates, PVC, polyurethane or polyester, is applied to the reflective layer 25.

[0149] Different partial layers of the adhesive layer 26 can fulfil different functions, for example to promote adhesion to neighboring layers or to the object to which the multilayer body is to be applied. A function as a chemical barrier layer against the diffusion of substances from and/or into neighboring layers is also possible.

[0150] In order to make a process-reliable application of the personalization feature 3 possible, an absorbent layer is applied at least in areas over the security element 2 and/or the substrate 1.

[0151] As FIGS. 3A to 3C show, the absorbent layer is preferably provided by means of a transfer film 4, which comprises a carrier ply 41 and a transfer ply 42. The transfer ply can be applied over the whole surface of the carrier ply 41 (FIG. 3A) or only partially cover it (FIG. 3B). The transfer of carrier ply 41 and transfer ply 42 to an auxiliary carrier 43 is also possible (FIG. 3C). Here, carrier ply 41 and transfer ply 42 are preferably punched out onto the desired shape, with the result that a transfer of the layer composite with defined edges is possible.

[0152] The detailed structure of an embodiment example of such a transfer film 4 is represented schematically in FIG. 4.

[0153] The carrier ply 41 comprises a carrier film 411 and a detachment layer 412. A composite of two absorbent layers 421 is applied to the detachment layer 412. An adhesive layer 422 is applied to their surface facing away from the carrier ply 41. The absorbent layers 421 and the adhesive layer 422 together form the transfer ply 42.

[0154] It is expedient if the carrier film 411 is constructed from PET with a layer thickness of from 6 μm to 75 μm, preferably from 10 μm to 36 μm.

[0155] The detachment layer 412 consists in particular of a wax with a layer thickness of from 1 nm to 50 nm, preferably from 1 nm to 20 nm.

[0156] Such a detachment layer 412 makes it easier to detach the carrier ply 41 after transfer of the absorbent layer 421 onto a substrate 1 and/or security element 2, for example after hot embossing, and advantageously remains on the detached carrier ply 41.

[0157] To provide the absorbent layer 421, an absorbent medium is used which is characterized below in the liquid state used for depositing the absorbent layer 421.

[0158] The absorbent medium comprises at least one binder, at least one pigment and an in particular aqueous solvent.

[0159] The binder preferably comprises polyvinyl alcohol with a molecular weight of from 100 kg/mol to 200 kg/mol, preferably 120 kg/mol to 150 kg/mol, particularly preferably 130 kg/mol, and a degree of hydrolysis of from 74% to 98%, particularly preferably of 88%.

[0160] The degree of hydrolysis relates to the alkaline hydrolysis effected during production. To produce polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate is first converted into polyvinyl acetate and this is subjected to alkaline hydrolysis in order to obtain the polyvinyl alcohol. The degree of polymerization of the end product is thus determined during the production of the polyvinyl acetate and the degree of hydrolysis is determined during the subsequent saponification.

[0161] It is further expedient if the polyvinyl alcohol is modified, in particular by cationic modification and/or modification with silanol. A silanylation is possible by subsequent reaction of the polyvinyl alcohol with silanol, or also by copolymerization of the vinyl acetate with unsaturated silane-containing comonomers. In particular, tertiary amine groups or quaternary ammonium groups are suitable for the cationic modification.

[0162] Alternatively or additionally the binder can comprise starch, in particular cationically modified starch. To cationize the starch, for example, ammonium-containing cationization agents can be used. A substitution with quaternary ammonium groups considerably improves the fixation of an anionic ink dye.

[0163] It is also possible for the binder to comprise gelatin, in particular crosslinked by at least one metal salt from the group Fe.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+, Pb.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+.

[0164] It is further expedient if the binder is crosslinked, in particular by boric acid, boron oxide, epichlorohydrin, glyoxal, melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker, aziridine and/or metal salts from the group Cr.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+.

[0165] A mineral pigment, in particular fumed silica, fumed alumina or a fumed aluminum mixed oxide, is preferred as pigment.

[0166] The combination of pigment and binder provides a high microcapillarity and a defined pore diameter, in order to make a rapid drying of deposited inks possible. The resulting pore diameter is preferably in the range between 10 nm and 50 nm.

[0167] It is advantageous if the pigment has a specific surface area of from 50 m.sup.2/g to 380 m.sup.2/g, preferably from 50 m.sup.2/g to 200 m.sup.2/g.

[0168] The specific surface area is determined according to the BET method. The BET method is a standard analysis method for determining the size of surface areas, in particular of porous solids, by means of gas adsorption. It is a surface chemistry method with which the mass-related specific surface area is calculated from experimental data. “BET” stands for the surnames of the developers of the BET model, Stephen Brunauer, Paul Hugh Emmett and Edward Teller, who first published the main features of the theory in 1938. The BET method is defined in particular in DIN ISO 9277:2003-05.

[0169] It is further expedient if the pigment has a grain size of from 7 nm to 40 nm. A bimodal grain-size distribution of the pigment with a first maximum at 5 nm to nm, preferably at 7 nm, and a second maximum at 35 nm to 45 nm, preferably at 40 nm, is particularly preferred. By a bimodal distribution is meant here a distribution with two maxima, thus for example a superimposition of two grain-size fractions with Gaussian distribution.

[0170] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the intensity ratio of the first and second maxima is 1:8 to 1:20, preferably 1:10 to 1:15.

[0171] The absorbent medium preferably comprises at least one cationic additive from the group polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, polyethylenimine, quaternary ammonium compounds, Al salts. Such additives improve the bond of the dyes of applied inks to the absorbent medium.

[0172] It is further preferred if the proportion by weight of the binder is 2 wt. % to 10 wt. %, preferably from 3% to 6%.

[0173] Furthermore, it is expedient if a proportion by weight of the pigment is 10 wt. % to 20 wt. %, preferably from 12% to 16%.

[0174] In order to obtain a particularly good bond of deposited inks, the ratio between binder and pigment should be between 1:1 and 1:5.

[0175] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a proportion by weight of a crosslinking agent is 0.1 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %, preferably from 0.2 to 0.8%.

[0176] A first example of the formulation of such an absorbent medium is given in the following table:

TABLE-US-00003 Component wt. % Water 52 Polyvinyl alcohol, 88% hydrolyzed 2 Aerosil 200 6 Boric acid 0.1 Glyoxal 0.0400 Mixing ratio of pigment:binder 3:1

[0177] The following table shows an alternative embodiment example of such an absorbent medium:

TABLE-US-00004 Component wt. % Water 57 Cationic starch 1 Polyvinyl alcohol, 88% hydrolyzed 2 Cationic silica (mixed oxide) 10 Melamine resin crosslinker (Cymel) 0.4000 Mixing ratio of pigment:binder 1:3.33

[0178] After deposition of the absorbent medium onto the detachment layer 412, preferably by gravure rollers, slot casters, curtain coaters or using the dipping process, it is dried, preferably at a temperature of from 100° C. to 150° C., and thus fixed to the detachment layer 412.

[0179] A single absorbent layer 421 can be formed, or also a more complex layer composite, by repeated deposition of different absorbent media.

[0180] Finally, the adhesive layer 422 is applied to the absorbent layer 421. This preferably consists of a hot-melt adhesive with a layer thickness of from 0.5 μm to 8 μm, preferably from 1 μm to 4 μm.

[0181] An alternative embodiment example of a transfer film 4 is shown in FIG. 4. This differs from the embodiment example in FIG. 3 in that the carrier ply 41 here comprises an additional structural layer 413. The other layers are identical, wherein the detachment layer 412 is not represented in the figure.

[0182] The structural layer 413 consists in particular of a UV-crosslinked material or a thermoplastically deformable material, which can in turn be chemically crosslinked, or of a depositing print with a layer thickness of from 0.5 μm to μm, preferably from 1 μm to 5 μm.

[0183] It is expedient in particular if the structural layer 413 has a tactilely recognizable and/or optically recognizable and/or dirt-repellent relief structure in a surface onto which the absorbent layer 421 is deposited. The relief structure reproduces itself in the absorbent layer 421.

[0184] In the case of a tactilely recognizable structure the elevations can be arranged at such a distance from each other that at least two neighboring nerve endings of the human skin can be excited. The relief structure can also be formed such that in a body brought into moving contact with the relief structure acoustic vibrations are excited, for example if a finger nail is run over it.

[0185] The relief structure can also be optically recognizable. The relief structure can be formed such that it is both optically and tactilely recognizable.

[0186] An optically recognizable relief structure can be formed as a mat structure and/or as a diffractive structure and/or as a refractive structure and/or as a macrostructure. The mat structure is a diffractive structure with a stochastic pattern, with the result that incident light in a particular angle range is scattered with a particular intensity distribution.

[0187] The diffractive structures are structures which form optical effects based on light diffraction. Examples of such structures are diffraction gratings or holograms.

[0188] The refractive structures are structures which form optical effects based on light refraction, for example microlenses. These structures generally have dimensions which lie below the resolution limit of the human eye.

[0189] The macrostructures are structures with dimensions which are perceptible to the human eye, for example design elements which are formed by structured areas.

[0190] In addition to the integration of further optical or tactile effects, such a structuring of the surface also aids the adhesion of the ink to the absorbent layer 421 and can serve to control the running of the ink. The running of the ink print is furthermore determined by the surface tension and the pH. The surface tension is advantageously between 30 mN/m and 50 mN/m and the pH is in the range 4.0 to 7.0.

[0191] Two embodiment examples of a security document 1 which can be produced using such a transfer film 4 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0192] A security element 2 is first applied to the substrate 11 of the security document 1, for example by hot embossing, wherein the adhesive layer 26 of the security element 2 binds to the substrate 11.

[0193] The carrier film 21 and the wax layer optionally present as a partial layer of the detachment layer 22 are then detached. The polymeric partial layer of the detachment layer 22 of the security element 2 now represents the surface of the security element 2.

[0194] In a further embossing process the security element 2 is then over-embossed with the transfer film 4, with the result that the absorbent layer 421 is bound to the security element 2 and/or the substrate 11 by means of the adhesive layer 422. The adhesive layer 422 is not shown here.

[0195] The over-embossing can be effected as represented in FIG. 6 such that the absorbent layer 421 overlaps an edge of the security element 2 and covers both a partial area of the security element 2 and a partial area of the substrate 11.

[0196] Alternatively, the absorbent layer 421 can also be applied in several partial areas of the security element 2, without extending onto the substrate 11. This is represented in FIG. 7. Absorbent layers each with different chemical and/or physical properties, in particular with different thickness or different chemical composition, can be applied in different partial areas.

[0197] As an alternative to the over-embossing with a transfer film 4 the absorbent layer 421 can also be integrated directly into the security element 2, as represented in FIG. 8.

[0198] The absorbent layer 421 is likewise formed by deposition of an above-described absorbent medium and is arranged directly on the carrier layer 21 of the security element 2.

[0199] An adhesion-promoter layer 27 is preferably also provided between the absorbent layer 421 and the further layers of the security element. This preferably consists of a material based on PVC, acrylate or PU, with a layer thickness of from 0.05 μm to 3 μm, preferably from 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm. Optionally a detachment layer can be provided between the absorbent layer 421 and the carrier ply 21. This is not represented here.

[0200] The security element 2 shown in FIG. 8 furthermore has a protective layer 23, a replication layer 24, a reflective layer 25 and an adhesive layer 26, which correspond in terms of their arrangement and their properties to the security element 2 described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0201] For application onto the substrate 11 the layer stack shown in FIG. 8 is now transferred in a single embossing step, with the result that the layer stack comes to adhere to the substrate with the adhesive layer 26. This is shown in FIG. 9. After removal of the carrier ply 21 the security element 2 is fixed to the substrate such that its surface is formed by the absorbent layer 421. A personalization by inkjet printing is now possible without trouble.

[0202] The absorbent layer 421 can also be present only in partial areas.

[0203] As FIG. 10 shows, a binding to an auxiliary carrier 43 can also be effected first here. The security element 2 to be transferred can then be punched out of this composite precisely shaped, with the result that a transfer with defined edges becomes possible.

[0204] The auxiliary carrier 43 is arranged on the side of the carrier layer 21 of the security element 2 and at least partially bound to it by means of an adhesive layer, not represented.

[0205] FIG. 11 shows a further possibility for processing a security element 2 and a transfer film 4. The layer structures of the security element 2 and of the transfer film 4 can correspond to the already described embodiment examples.

[0206] In the method shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C the transfer film 4 is first bound to the security element 2, for example by a laminating process, with the result that the absorbent layer 421 binds to the adhesive layer 26 (FIG. 11A). The carrier ply 21 of the security element 2 is then removed, wherein the intermediate product shown in FIG. 11B is obtained.

[0207] A further adhesive layer 28, which can be used to emboss the thus obtained layer composite onto the substrate 11, is now applied to the now exposed detachment layer 22 of the security element 2 (FIG. 11C). After removal of the carrier ply 41 of the transfer film 4 the personalized inkjet printing onto the absorbent layer 421 can then be effected.

[0208] In the embodiment example of a method shown in FIG. 12 a security element 2 is used which already has two adhesive layers 26, 28 (FIG. 12A). The first adhesive layer 26, as in the further embodiment examples of security elements 2 shown, forms an outer surface of the security element 2. The further adhesive layer 28 is arranged between the carrier ply 21 and the protective layer 23 and can at the same time act as detachment layer, for example in combination with an additional wax layer as further detachment layer on the carrier ply 21.

[0209] The further layers, thus the protective layer 23, the replication layer 24 and the reflective layer 25, correspond to the layer systems described up to now.

[0210] As FIG. 12B shows, in a first embossing step the security element 2 is now embossed onto the substrate 11, with the result that the adhesive layer 26 binds to the substrate 11.

[0211] After removal of the carrier film 21 a transfer film 4 of the type described above is placed on the security element 2 such that its absorbent layer comes into contact with the further adhesive layer 28. Under the influence of an embossing die 6 the adhesive layer 28 is activated, with the result that the absorbent layer only binds to the security element 2 in the area of the adhesive layer 28 (FIG. 12C).

[0212] The absorbent layer 421 is thus transferred to the security element 2 precisely shaped (FIG. 12D).

[0213] Alternatively, a layer structure can be effected by more than 2 transfer steps (embossings, laminations). A possible concept is to apply the security element 2 to the substrate 11 first and then to apply an adhesive layer 28 to the security element 2. The adhesive layer 28 would then be detachably applied to a further carrier film. The application of the absorbent layer 421 is then effected, as represented in FIGS. 12C and D.

[0214] The transferred adhesive layer 28 can cover only partial areas of the security element 2 and/or also partial areas of the substrate 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0215] 1 security document [0216] 11 substrate [0217] 2 security element [0218] 21 carrier layer [0219] 22 detachment layer [0220] 23 protective layer [0221] 24 replication layer [0222] 25 reflective layer [0223] 26 adhesive layer [0224] 27 adhesion-promoter layer [0225] 28 adhesive layer [0226] 3 personalization feature [0227] 31 photograph [0228] 32 alphanumeric feature [0229] 4 transfer film [0230] 41 carrier ply [0231] 411 carrier film [0232] 412 detachment layer [0233] 413 structural layer [0234] 42 transfer ply [0235] 421 absorbent layer [0236] 422 adhesive layer [0237] 43 auxiliary carrier [0238] 5 embossing die