Abstract: A multilayer card-shaped data carrier has a layer appearing black in the visible wave range, but transparent or permeable to electromagnetic radiation in the invisible wavelength spectrum outside the wavelengths substantially between about 400 and 700 nanometers. The data carrier also has data markings camouflaged by the black layer produced within or below the black layer by a lasing device, which are likewise detectable by commercial optical readers operating in the invisible wavelength spectrum outside the wavelengths substantially between about 400 and 700 nanometers.

Abstract: A multilayer identity card exhibits an outer color layer of a first color and an inner color layer of a second color to allow for identity cards and the like to be written on in several colors. While the outer color layer absorbs virtually no laser beam light used for writing, the second, inner color layers absorbs the laser light. This causes the material of the second color layer to be thermally broken down during the writing operation, i.e. vaporized, sublimated, exposed to a chemical or physical reaction, so that the formation of pressure and resulting eruption blasts the first layer into particles. This makes the second color layer visible. Instead of the second color layer one can also provide a transparent layer of varnish having suitable properties in order to expose a multicolor security print, for example, below this transparent layer of varnish.