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Guaranteeing the Authenticity of Bonds, Certificates and Other Documents, Part 3 - Inks

NCJ Number
82938
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 36 Issue: 350 Dated: (August/September 1981) Pages: 194-200
Author(s)
H Bretler
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Methods for incorporating security features in fiduciary documents by using specially created printing inks are outlined.
Abstract
There are special security inks for the four printing processes used for security documents: intaglio, dry offset, wet offset, and typography. The special features of the different types of printing require specific protection methods for each group of inks; however, all security inks should have the features of reproducibility and invariability of the color and the provision of high quality printing (clarity in transferring the plate design to the paper). A certain number of security and identification features may be incorporated, after the appropriate adaptation, in the inks used in the four printing techniques. These include luminescence, special inks which reflect under infrared light, and optical character reading. A particular security problem involves the color copiers currently on the market, but fiduciary printers can now be supplied with colors which are secure when reproduced by color copiers. The principal security features in this area are (1) inks whose colors are not reproduced by color copiers, (2) inks of very different colors which cannot be distinguished by the color copiers and are therefore reproduced as similar colors, and (3) inks whose bright colors are reproduced, stained, and darkened by the process. The intrinsic security features of each group of inks are examined. Photographic illustrations are provided. For parts 1 and 2 of this presentation, see NCJ 80024 and 82935.