Abstract: The article includes a substrate which is composed of a single ply that contains both a structure for generating a viewable optically variable effect, such as a hologram, and carries an indicia receptive coating. The indicia receptive coating covers the single ply such that at least part of the optically variable effect is visible. The indicia receptive coating may receive printed indicia such as security indicia, alphanumeric character shapes, symbols, and bar codes. The article with the single ply that contains viewable optically variable effect and also carries the printed indicia, is more tamper resistant than previous identification documents. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to alter the printed indicia without also altering the structure that generates the viewable optically variable effect or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is to improvements in signature panels for credit cards or similar instruments. The signature panel is made from a foil having a carrier layer with a transferable signature panel layer having a coating composition incorporating a polymeric material. The signature panel layer can be transferred in response to heat and pressure onto a plastic substrate from the carrier layer providing a signature space. A security indicia is placed on or in the signature accepting surface, of the signature panel layer, using an ink to define a rainbow pattern.

Abstract: A transfer film for use, for example, with security documents includes a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer. The pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer to transfer the relief pattern from the pattern defining layer to the retaining layer.

Abstract: An optical security device for use on a security article comprises a number of layers including an optically diffracting layer and an at least partially reflective layer which together generate a first image. A non-optically diffracting second image is provided within the device in association with the first image.