Abstract: A method of producing banknotes on a substrate in-line on a web-based process is disclosed, including providing a tactile layer. In addition, a banknote produced by the above method, a banknote having a single-ink system, a coating for banknote and a tactile security feature are disclosed.

Abstract: A tactile security feature for a banknote and a method for its production using in-line on a web-based process are disclosed. The security feature comprises a printed indicia layer including a design element and a printed enhanced tactility layer, which has at least a first enhanced tactility area overlapping the design element, such that the design element appears to have tactility due to the overlap with the enhanced tactility area. Preferably the tactile layer contains tactile particles. In addition, a banknote produced by the above method, a banknote having a single-ink system, and a coating for banknotes including a tactile security feature are disclosed.

Abstract: A banknote comprising a substrate and a plurality of print layers printed by the same print process type printed onto the substrate, wherein at least one of the print layers is an indicia layer and at least one of the print layers is a tactile layer. Also, a method of producing a plurality of banknotes including: providing a substrate, in the form of a web, to a print press including a plurality of print units of the same print process type, wherein the web will pass through each of the plurality of print units, and at least part of the web is printed in a print run; printing a print layer on to the substrate at each of the plurality of print units, wherein at least one of the print layers is an indicia layer and at least one of the print layers is a tactile layer.

Abstract: A security document, including: a polymer substrate; at least one print layer disposed on one or both sides of the polymer substrate; and a security feature including an image area embodied within the polymer substrate and at least partially covered by the at least one print layer, wherein the security feature is an optical security feature formed in the image area.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed including a substrate and one or more focusing elements or lens structures located on one side of the substrate. The security device includes a plurality of image elements associated with each focusing element wherein the image elements include at least first and second groups of image elements. Each image element may be composed of pixels located in an object plane to be viewable through the associated focusing element. Each image element comprises a diffractive grating element or sub-wavelength grating element which when illuminated by a light source generates a diffraction image observable at a range of viewing angles around the device. Image elements of the first group are visible in a first range of viewing angles and image elements of the second group are visible in a second range of viewing angles. The security device is particularly suitable for use on security documents, such as banknotes. A method of forming a security device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of printing a discontinuous image on a device using a gravure printing process which is susceptible to feathering, the device including: a substrate, and an image layer superposed with at least a portion of the substrate, the image layer including the discontinuous image, the discontinuous image having at least one leading edge during printing, the method including: printing a plurality of anti-feathering elements in an extended edge region of the image layer adjacent the leading edge, the anti-feathering elements being printed before the leading edge of the discontinuous image, the anti-feathering elements and discontinuous image being printed in the same rotary action, wherein the plurality of anti-feathering elements are indiscernible to the naked eye.

Abstract: High refractive index coatings having metal oxide particles are disclosed. Dispersions of metal oxide particles in solvent are also disclosed. These find use in the protection of surface relief structures. In some disclosed embodiments, the coatings or dispersions contain UV-curable resins. The coatings and dispersions find application in the field of security devices and documents and tokens incorporating security devices.

Abstract: An embossing tool for use with a rotating embossing roller, including: a tool body having a tool surface; and an array of recesses set into the tool surface to form a desired embossing surface profile, wherein at least two of the recesses are interconnected by a passage to enable fluid communication therebetween during embossing.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical device, preferably a security device, including the steps of: forming a planar relief structure on a substantially planar first surface of a substrate, preferably a transparent substrate, the planar relief structure having a first alignment direction and including a plurality of relief structure elements each having the same height; and applying a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer onto the planar relief structure such that the LCP layer is aligned with the relief structure, wherein the LCP layer includes at least one or more first LCP regions having a first height and one or more second LCP regions having a second height above the substantially planar first surface of the substrate, wherein the second height is different to the first height, and an optical device formed by such a method.

Abstract: A micro-optic device, including: a transparent substrate; first lens elements on a first side of the substrate that reveal first image elements on a second side of the substrate; and second lens elements on the second side of the substrate that reveal second image elements on the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: A micro-optic device, including: a substrate; a plurality of image elements; and a plurality of focusing elements, each focusing element focuses light towards, or causes light to be diverged from or constructively interfere at a real or imaginary focal point, the focusing elements causing the image elements to be sampled so as to project imagery which is observable to a user from at least a first viewing angle, wherein a first focusing structure including at least a first group of the focusing elements and a first imagery structure including at least a first group of the image elements are integrated into a first unitary structure on a first side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of measuring a defect level of a region of a substrate for a security document, wherein the defect level is associated with reduced transparency of the region of the substrate, the method including the steps of: digitally imaging the region to create a digital image, the digital image containing light intensity data; and analysing the digital image including: calculating a statistical measure of the light intensity data in the region; and assigning a defect score to the region based on the statistical measure of the light intensity data in the region.

Abstract: A security element, a security device including a security element and a method of manufacturing a security device. The element having focusing elements and image elements, the image elements are located in an object plane such that each image element is associated with one of the focusing elements, wherein the object plane includes at least first and second distinct subregions, and an image element within the first subregion is phase-displaced by a phase-displacement distance with respect to an image element within the second subregion, and wherein the first and second subregions produce first and second optically variable images or part-images.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a first security document, the security document including a first periodic array of image elements applied to a first surface of a transparent substrate and extending in a first direction; and a first periodic array of revealing elements applied to an opposing surface of the substrate and extending in a second direction, the first periodic array of revealing elements being superposed with the first periodic array of image elements, such that an optical variable effect can be observed between at least a first viewing angle and a second viewing angle.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably for use in security devices and documents, comprising an arrangement of wavelength dependant optical phase, and optionally amplitude, modifying optical elements on a first surface of a substrate, each of the optical elements being in the form of an optical antenna and configured to produce a local phase change to reflected and/or transmitted electromagnetic waves, the arrangement configured such that the combined action of each of the optical elements produces a pre-defined optical effect on reflection and/or transmission observable by a viewer when the arrangement is illuminated by an external electromagnetic source.

Abstract: A hybrid security device for security documents and the like, with the microstructure for a first optically variable device (OVD) and the microstructure for a second OVD mutually interlace or interspersed. The first microstructure has a height profile that differs from that of the second microstructure by more than 0.5 microns. Suitable fabrication processes for the hybrid security device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably a security device for a security document, including: a transparent or translucent substrate having a first side and a second side; a first depiction layer located on the first side of the substrate defining a first depiction; and a first masking layer, comprising a first optically variable ink, and a second masking layer, comprising an optically variable ink, located at least partially overlapping the first depiction layer, wherein the first depiction is at least substantially opaque and has a low contrast with respect to the appearance of the first and second masking layers when viewed in reflection, such that the first depiction is identifiable and substantially more visible when viewed in transmission than when viewed in reflection, and method for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: An optical device comprising an at least substantially transparent substrate having a first side comprising a source layer having an arrangement of source elements and a second side comprising an Optically Variable Device (OVD) layer having a corresponding arrangement of diffractive elements, wherein each source element is configured to, upon illumination of the first side, provide an embedded light source for an associated diffraction element, and wherein the diffractive elements are configured for producing an optical effect observable when the diffractive elements are viewed by a viewer, such as the naked eye, upon illumination by the source elements.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably a security device for a security document, including a substrate having a first side and a second side, an arrangement of microlenses located on the first side and an arrangement of microimages such that the microimages are viewable or can be made viewable through the microlenses, wherein the arrangement of microlenses includes first and second microlenses and wherein the arrangement of microimages includes first and second microimages, wherein the first microlenses and first microimages are configured for providing a first visual effect and wherein the second microlenses and second microimages are configured for providing a second visual effect, and wherein the first microlenses are of a different height with respect to the substrate than the second microlenses.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably a security device for a document, comprising an arrangement of microlenses and an arrangement of microimages, wherein the arrangement of microimages is configured for providing an optically variable effect when viewed through the arrangement of microlenses, and wherein arrangement of microlenses defines a recognisable image independent to the optically variable effect.