Security printing is usually used to produce passports, ID cards,
banknotes, shares, but also event tickets, vouchers, travel tickets, driving
licenses and vehicle documents. Combinations of different printing processes
are often used, such as microprinting, intaglio printing, offset printing and
screen printing. Specific printing inks are produced for these printing
processes, which often contain combinations of UV and IR-active pigments. These
are essential for the security-related determination of the authenticity of the
printed products.

Security features, such as planchettes and security threads,
are also incorporated directly into the paper. These also often contain UV and
IR active pigments to increase protection against counterfeiting. Modern,
high-quality pigments and printing inks can be applied to plastic and metal
surfaces just as well as to paper.

 

The combination of various security features increases
protection against counterfeiting. With modular systems, the various features
can be individually combined: These verify each other in a process of up to
three stages. Security pigments play a role primarily in level 2 (hidden) and
level 3 (encrypted). Level 2 security features cannot be seen with the naked
eye and can only be checked with special light sources or different detection
devices. Level 3 security features are not only hidden, but also encrypted.
They can only be seen and checked in the product under certain technical and
information technology conditions.