Abstract: The present invention provides counterfeit resistant ID cards where a microprinting security feature is applied to the card at the time and place of card issuance. The present invention further provides for an ID card that includes microprinted security information including a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. In accordance with the present invention a microprint text in a grayscale gradient is placed onto an ID card using a high accuracy multi-pass thermal printing technology. In using the process of the present invention, a three pass thermal printer is used that is configured to such a high tolerance, that the grayscale gradient microprinting is possible without producing significant artifacts. When this technique is applied, any imperfections that result from the use of lower quality printing equipment become immediately identifiable reducing the ability of counterfeiters to produce fake or altered ID cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a counterfeit resistant ID card where a printed security feature is applied to the ID card at the issuance location at the time the card is issued. Specifically, the present invention provides for a process of producing an ID card having a unique imbedded security code that is generated and specifically matched to the particular ID card being printed and is applied at the time and place that the card is issued thereby providing a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. Verification is completed by comparing the code on the ID card to the date stamped log of all ID cards printed by the printer at the issuance location. Each entry in the log is encoded with a unique code number that corresponds to the specific print job and more importantly to the specific ID card printed.

Abstract: The present invention provides counterfeit resistant ID cards where a microprinting security feature is applied to the card at the time and place of card issuance. The present invention further provides for an ID card that includes microprinted security information including a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. In accordance with the present invention a microprint text in a grayscale gradient is placed onto an ID card using a high accuracy multi-pass thermal printing technology. In using the process of the present invention, a three pass thermal printer is used that is configured to such a high tolerance, that the grayscale gradient microprinting is possible without producing significant artifacts. When this technique is applied, any imperfections that result from the use of lower quality printing equipment become immediately identifiable reducing the ability of counterfeiters to produce fake or altered ID cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a counterfeit resistant ID card where a printed security feature is applied to the ID card at the issuance location at the time the card is issued. Specifically, the present invention provides for a process of producing an ID card having a unique imbedded security code that is generated and specifically matched to the particular ID card being printed and is applied at the time and place that the card is issued thereby providing a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. Verification is completed by comparing the code on the ID card to the date stamped log of all ID cards printed by the printer at the issuance location. Each entry in the log is encoded with a unique code number that corresponds to the specific print job and more importantly to the specific ID card printed.

Abstract: A wide-format thermal plotting apparatus includes a single platen roller and a plurality of thermal print heads arranged in first and second diametrically opposed rows on the platen roller, the second row having at least one more print head than the first row. More specifically, the rows are arranged in upper and lower opposed relation so that the first, or lower row supports the force applied by the upper row plus the weight of the platen roller, thereby preventing bowing thereof. A supply of print media is sequentially threaded through the first and second rows of print heads, wrapping around the platen roller so that the second or upper row is the downstream printing row. The print heads are arranged in alternating relation between the rows such that print lines of print heads in alternate rows abut or overlap each other with respect to the width of print media.