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Printing is a valuable and versatile platform that provides methods of communication, identification, even interaction. However, what happens when you need your printing secure or validated? For centuries, validation was a function of the watermarking of papers at a very basic level. When you take it to a more functional level like securing financial documents, the actual paper can be manufactured for identification. In the case of some types of documents that would be through the use of specific fibers and threads included in the slurry of the paper manufacturing. 

In the case of U.S. currency, their security has evolved over the years to combat continuing attempts at counterfeiting. As a result, they have resorted to layers of security utilizing many different methods combined. It starts with a specially designed and manufactured paper. U.S. currency paper, which has been manufactured by Crane & Co. since 1879, starts as a special blend of cotton and linen, but that is just the beginning.

While most print service providers are not producing currency, or shouldn’t be since it is a federal offense, there is a lot to be learned from the techniques used by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The layered security approach is probably not practical for most general secure print applications, however many of the individual methods can be. Since keeping ahead of those who would try to break your secure print is an ongoing issue, it is important to look at the various methods available.

It’s in the design.

When digital presses were introduced in the 1990s, as their level of quality for reproduction increased, governments and businesses around the globe were concerned about counterfeiting. As a result, all of the digital press manufacturers were compelled to print very small indicators as a part of the print reproduction. Since that was not an ideal solution, subsequently many currencies added design features that the printers are now designed to identify and prevent copying.

Increasingly "microprinting," or printing at a very small font size and embedding in the design, is being used for some applications. This requires a design and a high enough resolution to be practical, but it is a growing market. It is estimated that it will increase at a CAGR of 5.39% to a value of approximately $750 million by 2026. Xeikon, HP, Zebra, Ricoh, Canon and many other printer manufacturers offer compatible solutions.

Another design method for security used are Guilloché patterns. These are very intricate, complex and repetitive patterns that can use multiple colors and are very hard to duplicate.

There are many other design techniques that can be used to secure print from copying or counterfeiting. Many of these use the high resolution available with current printing technologies. Design can also be adapted using prismatic coloration techniques, which are also very difficult to reproduce, as seen below.

Specialty Inks

Specially designed inks are increasingly used for security as well. Magnetic ink character recognition, also known as MICR, is used to automate computerized reading and is used on checks, forms, etc., but usually not used for security, although it could be in conjunction with other methods. Although, machine readable inks and coatings are readily used for banknote printing, tax stamps and brand protection. Taggants, which are uniquely encoded materials or chemistries, can be readable with specially designed cameras, lights, scanners and machines. They are usually invisible to the eye and can be mixed with all types of inks and toners to present an invisible yet identifiable level of security.

Color change inks are also used for security. In the example below, if you tilt a U.S. currency of $10 or higher you can see the numbers on the lower right corner change color from copper to green. Additionally, on the $100 bill the "Liberty Bell" in the inkwell changes from copper to green.

Canon, HP, Ricoh, Xeikon and other digital press manufacturers have special toners either only visible or fluorescing with UV light for their digital presses. HP has developed a machine readable infra-red RainbowSecure ink in conjunction with VerifyMe for their Indigo presses to ensure brand protection security.

Holograms are also used as identification of counterfeit, although they require specialized design and production techniques. An interesting development using a unique nanocrystalline ink designed in a research institute at the International Laboratory of Solutions Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies at ITMO University in Russia has provided a way to print holograms on a conventional inkjet printer in “a matter of minutes."

Electronics are increasingly being used.

Technologies like RFID and NFC may be better suited to identify and secure print, especially in packaging. These solutions have already started to find the way into the product supply chain. These technologies currently require the application of a pre-manufactured tag to the label or package and a reading or receiving solution. These technologies work. However, there is an additional cost in excess of $.10 per tag not including the inline or offline application on a label or package. In the near future, we will see the use of a post print electronic embellishment technology to accomplish this more cost effectively.

Summary

Securing print, whether for documents or labels and packaging, is increasingly important as we continue to see an increase in counterfeiting and need for brand protection. There are many tools available to address this, but since protection methods are always a moving target, evaluating the level of protection against the cost is always going to be an issue.