Abstract: A personalized identification document processing system includes a print station that includes a thermal print head and a print ribbon that is engageable by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print ribbon to personalize the plastic identification document. The print ribbon includes a repeating sequence of panels of thermally transferrable material, with each sequence of panels including at least one panel of thermally transferrable color material followed by at least one panel of thermally transferrable radiation curable protective topcoat material. The color material and the topcoat material are applied to the plastic identification document in a printing process, with the topcoat material applied over at least a portion of the color material. The topcoat material is then cured and once cured enhances the durability of the color material.

Abstract: A personalized identification document processing system includes a print station that is configured as a retransfer printer with a retransfer film having a transferrable print receptive material and a transferrable radiation curable material. An image/data is printed on the transferrable print receptive material, and thereafter the print receptive material containing the printed image/data together with at least some of the transferrable radiation curable material is transferred to a surface of the plastic identification document. The radiation curable material is then cured and once cured enhances the durability of the printed image/data.

Abstract: Systems and methods wherein one or more processing operations on an identification document occur after a radiation curable material is applied to a surface of the identification document but before the radiation curable material is fully cured. The one or more processing operations can occur before any curing of the radiation curable material takes place. Alternatively, the one or more processing operations can occur after the radiation curable material has been partially cured, and before the radiation curable material is fully or completely cured.

Abstract: A rapidly reversing authenticity indicator for substrates such as secure documents, tags and labels is described. The authenticity indicator comprises a substrate having provided thereon a coating of a colorless chromogenic material, a binder material and optional pigment. An applicator is provided containing a developer material solution for the colorless chromogen. In one embodiment, the developer material solution is preferably an organic acid of five carbons or less and is selected to have a molecular weight of 102 or less, a pH of less than 5, and preferably positive vapor pressure. The coated substrate when contacted with the developer material in the applicator develops an intense color that persists momentarily rapidly reverting to substantially a colorless or pale form to provide a visual indication of authenticity without permanent discoloration of the substrate or inadvertent coloration or undue false positives.