Alternative Infrared Solutions for Security Graphics with Digital Print

Digital printing has been introduced for application in securities and documents printing owing to its significant ability of individualizing the text, numeration and image. We are providing a software solution for applying digital printing with control in the infrafed output. Components in black toner are being considered that react to IR light*. At the same time, toner cyan, magenta and yellow are invisible in IR light. Algorithms for color separation in the multicolor areas have been developed in segments: for A surfaces designed to be visible and B surfaces that are invisible in IR light. In daylight there is no difference: surfaces A and B react in the same way. The software solution takes two images: Image 1 that is fully observed in daylight (RGB turns into CMY) and image A – the talon that will organize separation of image 1. (RGB turns into CMYKmax) in areas where image 2 has covering capacity values exceeding the set blackening threshold. Application in a multicolor image (a portrait, for instance) makes it possible to incorporate a piece of information visible under IR light. This information has been derived with the help of a software source, for instance: initials, numeration, drawing and logotype inside the image, and visible only under IR specific wave lengh. Combination with special designed raster elements in PostScript: The piece of information for output in IR light may come from the database, with stochastic choice of the raster element, individualized raster shape, with a planned pseudorandum initiator (seed). The importance of the digital printing procedure with standard process color using posibilities of IR security system lies in the idea that information under IR light is individualized and controlled with a protected algorithm. Control is possible by adding the K component, and this applies also to controlling of the threshold where certain IR image parts from 650 to 1000 nm are lost. The software solution will be shown and its efficiency in extreme situation design individualization for securities protection. The paper will further give experiment results with specially declared spot IR toners for digital printing. The use of protected spot toners with IR characteristics only extends security protection, on which there will be further . * Tests have been carried out: print a lot on Xeikon, scann on Projectina (100 – 1000nm).