Abstract: An electrosensitive security laminate including a magnetic layer providing a magnetically encodable substrate. The laminate includes a base layer such as paper, a magnetic layer deposited on the base layer, and a vapor deposited metallic layer either over the magnetic layer or the opposite face of the base layer. Additional security may be achieved by including a decorative intermediate layer having a visibly nonuniform pattern. The user may detect a magnetically encoded pattern using a device which forms a visible pattern in accordance with any magnetic field adjacent the laminate. The patterned intermediate layer where included may be selectively exposed by electrically imprinting the metallized layer, thereby exposing a background pattern within any inscribed indicia.

Abstract: Thermal imprinting of substrates, for example one or more surfaces of multi-dimensional objects, using a heat transfer film formed by a carrier and a release layer of pigmented, low molecular weight polyolefin. The imprint is made by bringing the transfer layer into contact with the surface of an object and applying heat. This releases the transfer layer to the surface being imprinted. When the transfer layer is required to have any significant thickness, it desirably includes a low melting point wax or resin to provide flexibility. The release characteristic can be improved by the inclusion of a further crystalline wax layer between the transfer layer and the carrier.