|
|
|
* * *
* * *
|
|
120
Anti-scan / anti-copy pattern
Printed security features integrated in
the 
background
printing to protect against simulation through copying.
The
printed images and patterns contain embedded (hidden) information that is
invisible to the naked eye under normal inspection conditions but becomes
visible or legible, or causes flaws (mistakes) to appear after copying or
reproduction with a scanner.
Example:
Orientation-
and angle-modulated fine-line structures (SAM = Screen Angle
Modulation)
|
|
Netherlands: passport - anti-copy pattern |
|
121
Anti-Stokes ink
Security ink containing a component that
fluoresces in the visible band of the spectrum when illuminated by infrared
light with a wavelength around 900 nm. Special equipment is
needed to see the effect.
Sometimes also called up-convert ink.
|
026
Background / security printing
Background / security printing serves as a protection against
counterfeiting and manipulation of data.
Background / security printing consists of
- print
designs and security elements produced by highly specialised printing
techniques (e.g.
guilloches
/ fine line patterns, microprint,
latent
image, see-through
register ) - particular
printing processes and printing techniques (e.g. intaglio
printing and rainbow
colouring )
- security
inks (e.g. OVI,
fugitive
ink ).
Background printing itself denotes the coloured offset
printing used as a background to biographical
data and pre-printed
text in security documents.
|
|
|
|
|
Czech Republic: passport - background printing with various features, here: · guilloches /
fine line patterns · grid pattern · microprint · solid-coloured
areas, and · relief fine
lines. |
|
004
Barcode / 2D barcode
Machine readable information.
Barcodes
store data in the widths of, and spaces between, printed parallel lines (bars)
for machine-optical data capture.
|
|
Iceland: passport -
|
The 2D barcode (two-dimensional barcode) stores
data along two dimensions and is therefore capable of containing much more
information than the 1D barcode:
|
Latvia: passport - 2D barcode |
|
|
(003), (058), (059), (175), (180)
005
Binding technique
Act of
combining single sheets to form a book, booklet or brochure.
Most common binding technique used for ID
documents:
059
thread stitching - "stitched
in the spine" (saddle stitching with stitching
thread ).
Laminate
integrated by binding
|
|
|
|
175
Side stitching with thread
|
|
|
180
A distinction
is made between the binding of single pages and the binding of double
pages.
|
Single pages |
Double pages |
058
Overall
construction: a booklet may be constructed as a single
booklet or a multiple booklet.
|
Single booklet |
Multiple booklet |
003
Reinforcing
strip: makes for
a stronger construction:
|
|
|
|
122
Biodata / photo / signature integration
Operation
whereby a printing, (laser-) engraving or photographic technique is used (as
opposed to a typewriter or writing by hand) to incorporate an image (photograph
of holder), a signature or biodata text directly into the substrate or laminate
during personalization.
Photo
integration: The image will not constitute a separate (e.g. glued) component of
the document, but will form an integrating part of it: the photo is transferred to the
biodata page by digital means.
"Integration"
is independent of whether the biodata text / image is laminated or not.
|
Integration techniques:
|
|
Hungary: passport - laser-engraved integrated image |
|
Germany: ID card -
biodata, photo & signature integration by |
|
|
123
Biographical / other personalization text
Personalization
is the process whereby the document holder's image, signature and biographical
data are incorporated into a document.
The
holder's biographical data (biodata) appear both in the visual inspection
zone - VIZ and in the MRZ
(Machine Readable Zone) of a passport (on the biodata
page), ID card or visa.
|
|
Lithuania: passport - biodata page
|
|
181
Biometric identifier (biometrics)
A personal biological
(anatomical or physiological) or behavioural characteristic which can be used
to establish a person's identity by comparing it with stored reference data.
Traditionally, the most popular biometric identifier is the fingerprint.
Other frequently used biometric identifiers include the facial image, iris
image and hand geometry. Biometric identifiers can be used for biometric
recognition processes such as facial and iris recognition. The
method of measuring biometric identifiers is known as "biometrics".
182
·
e-Passport
In e-passports,
biometric data is stored in
an embedded
microchip (integrated circuit). Pursuant to ICAO (International
Civil Aviation Organization) specifications
a microchip
- contactless - as a
minimum requirement - stores the data visually displayed in the MRZ
(Machine Readable Zone) of the biodata page of the
passport and the facial image as the interoperable biometric identifier.
Other biometric identifiers, e.g. fingerprint or iris images, can be added
optionally.
The biometric data on the chip can be compared
with the document holder's biometric characteristics, using a biometric system.
As a safeguard, a digital signature is used to protect the authenticity and the
integrity of the stored data.
|
An
ICAO-compliant e-passport will
feature the international e-passport symbol
on its front cover: |
|
|
124
Bleeding ink
Security ink containing dyes which, together
with the solvent used, penetrate ("bleed out or through") the paper
substrate so that any attempt at mechanical
erasure will cause visible damage to the document.
Not to be
confused with fugitive
ink.
|
Serial number printed in
bleeding ink |
Part of the numbering ink has
bled through the paper substrate and can be seen on the reverse side. |
|
125
Bronze process
A metallic
powder (bronze) is applied to the surface of the printing while the special ink
is still wet. The rapidly drying ink binds the metallic flakes to the substrate
surface. The result is a metallic effect on the printing surface.
|
|
|
|
126
Co-axial light
Light that passes through an optical system
parallel to the optical axis (e.g. retro-viewer), or instance where the
direction of illumination and direction of observation are in parallel.
Co-axial
light is used
to reveal hidden motifs in retroreflective
laminate (e.g. 3M ® Confirm ® laminate).
|
The
angle of view is co-axial to the (re-directed) light-beam: |
|
|
|
|
|
Light
source / angle of incidence of light |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retroviewers
|
112
Collation mark / floating numeration
Collation mark is originally a bookbinding term.
In order to produce a complete work (brochure, book, periodical, etc.), the
various parts (sheets and folded sheets that have been nipped, sections) must
be collated in the right order. This is ensured by placing collation marks as
check marks (in the case of books, usually on the spine of the book-block) in a
staggered arrangement from top to bottom.
Passports carry this type of check mark either
as a fluorescent or visible feature in order to make it easier to spot whether
any pages have been exchanged. The combination of collation mark and page numbers is sometimes called floating numeration.
|
|
Sweden: passport |
|
Portugal: passport |
|
|
022
Coloured fibres
Security fibres in various colours which are
mixed into the paper pulp during the paper manufacturing process, so that they
are embedded in the paper in random places at varying depths.
The colour makes them stand out clearly against
the paper; they can easily be seen with the naked eye.
Not to be
confused with synthetic
fibres.
|
|
|
Red fibres in the paper |
|
View by transmitted light |
|
|
127
COUNTERFEIT
An
unauthorized copy or reproduction of an authentic security document.
Within this
database this term is used to denote "complete counterfeits" only,
i.e. false documents entirely produced by a forger.
This is one
type of 
FALSE
DOCUMENT; other types of false documents are forgery
and pseudo
document.
|
128
Document code
This database uses document codes
made up of specific components:
example:
"FRA-AO-01001" - this code consists of:
·
the
3-letter country code for France
·
"A" for "National
passport (all types of passport)" = document
category
·
"O" for
"Ordinary"
=
document type
·
"01001"
(5
digits), of which the first two ("01")
= document number
the last three ("001") = version number.
Document categories ("document
category" is an obligatory field for the description of each document):
|
A |
National passport (all types of
passport) |
|
B |
Identity card |
|
C |
Visa |
|
D |
Stamp |
|
E |
Entry paper |
|
F |
Driving licence |
|
G |
Vehicle licence / log book |
|
H |
Residence permit |
|
I |
Seaman's book |
|
J |
Travel document issued to non-nationals |
|
X |
Other document |
Document types ("document
type" is not an obligatory field):
|
O |
Ordinary |
|
S |
Service / Official |
|
D |
Diplomatic |
|
P |
Emergency / Provisional |
|
E |
Entry stamp |
|
X |
Exit stamp |
|
084
Embossing stamp
Impression
in relief made by means of a seal or stamp, e.g. for authentication of a
document or a conventionally fixed (e.g. glued) image of the holder.
An embossing machine typically consists of a
(hand) press and two dies (patrix and matrix). Through the different depths of
the matrix (engraved) and the raised patrix (exactly matching counterpart in
relief) the embossed material is deformed so that the impression appears partly
raised above its surface.
Relief
embossing
Ink
stamp
|
Belgium
|
France: ID card
|
|
(090), (091)
129
Endless text
Repeated, sometimes unspaced, lines of text in
the background
printing or in a security
thread.
|
|
Ireland: passport
|
091
Endless text may be positive text:
|
|
Belgium
|
090
or
reversed-out text:
|
|
Malta
|
Miniprint,
microprint, nanoprint
|
138
FALSE DOCUMENT
As opposed
to descriptions of security features of authentic
documents, this is the generic term used in this database to
describe the following types of documents:
counterfeit
forgery
pseudo
document.
|
132
Fluorescent fibres
Fibres with fluorescent properties (visible
under UV
light) which are mixed into the paper pulp during the paper
manufacturing process to serve as a security feature.
They may be visible ( coloured
fibres) or invisible under normal light.
Fluorescent hi-lites
Fluorescent planchettes.
|
|
Iceland: passport - fluorescent fibres
|
|
111
Fluorescent hi-lites
Very small fluorescent particles in
the paper (visible under UV
light); they are mixed into the paper pulp during the paper
manufacturing process to serve as a security feature.
Fluorescent
fibres
Fluorescent
planchettes
|
|
|
|
133
Fluorescent ink
Ink containing fluorescent substances
(pigments) which is used to print text or motifs.
This type of ink is visible under
normal light and fluoresces under UV
light.
Fluorescence is a short-lived light
emission which ceases within 10-8 seconds.
Not to be confused with fluorescent
overprint, nor with
phosphorescent
ink.
|
Portugal: passport -
background printing |
Portugal: passport: -
fluorescent ink; the brown colour |
|
(051)
Fluorescent overprint
051
Overprint
which is invisible(051) (colourless) under normal light, but fluoresces (i.e. is
visible under UV
light).
Not to be
confused with fluorescent
ink.
Laminate
UV feature
|
Iceland: passport - background printing under normal light |
Iceland: passport - yellow
fluorescing overprint |
|
134
Fluorescent planchettes
Planchettes (small coloured discs) with
fluorescent properties (visible under UV
light ) which are mixed into the paper pulp during the paper
manufacturing process to serve as a security feature. They may be either
visible or invisible under normal light.
Fluorescent
fibres
Fluorescent
hi-lites
|
|
|
|
135
Fluorescent security thread
A thin
strip of plastic, metallic, or other material embedded or partially embedded in
the substrate during the paper manufacturing process; fluoresces when exposed
to UV
light. This reaction can also be multi-coloured.
Security
thread
|
|
Italy: passport |
|
136
Fluorescent serial number
A unique number that is printed on a document and assigned for
identification; fluoresces when exposed to UV
light.
Serial
number
|
|
Lithuania: vehicle licence
|
|
137
Fluorescent stitching thread
Thread (can
also consist of several individual, interlaced, threads), used for holding
together the pages of a booklet; fluoresces in one or several colours when
exposed to UV
light .
|
|
|
Lithuania: diplomatic passport |
|
167
FORGERY
· Falsification - Unauthorized alteration of a
document. The original state of an authentic document was changed after having
been lawfully issued.
· Unlawfully
(fraudulently) issued document - Authentic document, the blank of which
was misappropriated and personalized by an unauthorized person (issued by
falsifier).
FORGERY is one type of FALSE
DOCUMENT; other types of false documents are
counterfeit
and pseudo
document.
|
093
Fugitive ink
A type of soluble ink; dissolves in
certain solvents or water; this ink causes specific parts of the security
printing to disappear or bleach when exposed to solvents.
Not to be confused with bleeding
ink.
|
|
|
United Kingdom: passport
|
139
Gravure printing
This printing technique, similar to intaglio
printing, uses printing plates with recessed areas or
cells which form the printed image.
The printing plate comes into direct contact with the substrate. The depth and size of the recessed cells determines the amount of ink that is transferred to the substrate. Very fluid and rapidly drying inks are used. This also allows inks to be printed on top of one another. The cell structure may sometimes be seen.
|
|
Gravure printing: printing form for text |
In security
printing the gravure printing technique is used for laminate
overprint:
|
|
|
Latvia: passport - biodata page:
close-up of laminate overprint
|
|
|
|
(110)
028
Guilloches / fine line patterns
Fine (intricate) designs consisting of
interlaced continuous lines arranged in geometric patterns.
Security
printing composes designs of guilloches or of other fine line patterns, with
the aim of raising the barrier for re-origination and reproduction. They are
often combined with rainbow
colouring.
Commonly used guilloche / fine line pattern
types:
·
positive guilloche
pattern (area between lines unprinted, lines printed)
· negative guilloche patterns (area
between lines printed, lines unprinted or reversed-out)
·
single-coloured and
multi-coloured guilloche patterns.
|
United Kingdom: passport |
Czech Republic: passport -
positive and negative guilloche patterns |
110
|
|
Relief fine line patterns110 |
|
039
Hologram
Traditionally, the most popular type of DOVID
(Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device) used as a security element. A number of effects are
possible, e.g. 2D holograms (2-dimensional holograms) with structural and
colour changes, 3D holograms with images, holograms with kinematic effects,
etc.
OVD
(Optically Variable Device)
|
2D hologram |
3D hologram |
|
|
|
|
(019), (020)
140
Hot foil stamping
Hot foil
stamping mainly involves the transfer of foil by means of a heated stamping
die; it can be regarded as a form of letterpress
printing.
The basic differences between hot foil stamping
and letterpress are the use of stamping foil instead of viscous ink as printing
medium and the indirect heating of the printing form. Due to the combined
effect of temperature and pressure, a layer of foil is released from the
carrier at the points where the stamping die has raised areas and then
transferred to the substrate, in which it is permanently and indelibly
embedded.
Hot foil
stamping tends to be used e.g.
019
to print
text and motifs on a passport cover (e.g. gold stamping(019),
020
silver
stamping(020)).
Hot foil stamping
is also used for the application of holograms
and kinegrams®, etc.
|
|
Belgium: passport |
|
176
Identigram®
179
Holographic security feature used in German passports and
ID cards, combining several individual elements:
· a holographic facial image of the
holder ( secondary
(ghost) image)
·
the MRZ
(Machine Readable Zone)
and elements that are identical for all
documents, e.g. in the above-mentioned examples:
· the German eagle in 3D
· kinematic structures
· macroprint
· microprint
· machine
verifiable features.
OVD
(Optically Variable Device)
|
|
Germany: passport - biodata page with identigram® (composed
image) |
|
049
Infrared light (IR light)
Electromagnetic waves between the upper
(low-energy) end of the visible light range and the microwave region of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
The
spectral region 750 nm - 1000 nm, bordering the visible light range, is of
relevance to document inspection: IR light is used in special equipment, e.g.
to detect data alteration.
|
|
|
|
083
Ink stamp
Transfer of
liquid ink by means of a stamp, e.g. for the authentication of a
document or a conventionally fixed (e.g. glued) image of the holder.
Embossing
stamp
|
|
Portugal |
|
|
|
|
047
Inkjet printing
A printing technique using a type of computer
printer that operates by propelling tiny droplets of liquid ink directly onto
the substrate, whereupon the ink penetrates the substrate. Inkjet printing can
be used for biodata
/ photo / signature integration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany: EU uniform format visa - biodata / photo integration using inkjet printing technique |
|
|
|
Belgium: passport - biodata
& photo integration with inkjet printing
|
002
Intaglio printing
Printing technique whereby the image to be
printed is etched or engraved in the surface of a printing plate. First, a
thick and highly pigmented ink is applied to the printing plate, then the
non-printing (non-recessed) areas of the surface are wiped clear of ink.
Finally, the ink that remains in the engraved parts of the printing plate (the
image to be printed) is transferred to the substrate under high pressure. The
pressure forces the substrate into the recessed areas of the printing plate,
thereby producing a raised tactile relief which can be recognized under oblique
light.
This
characteristic of intaglio printing is also suitable for the effect of latent
images.
Not to be confused with gravure
printing.
|
|
|
Iceland: passport
|
Raised (=relief) surface |
Oblique light casting shadows |
|
052
Iridescent ink
Iridescent or pearl lustre inks contain
transparent pigments consisting of a thin film deposited on tiny mica flakes.
They cause interference with the incident light. This creates shiny, pearl-like
shimmering effects with changes in colour when the angle of view or
illumination changes.
Iridescent
laminate
|
|
France: passport - iridescent ink
|
|
141
Iridescent, fluorescent ink
Iridescent printing ink, which fluoresces in
the visible range when stimulated by UV
light.
Fluorescent
ink
Iridescent
ink
|
|
|
|
142
Iridescent, photochromic ink
Iridescent
ink
Photochromic ink
|
143
Iridescent laminate
Laminate with iridescent properties: shiny, pearl-like effect with
changes in colour when the angle of view or the illumination changes.
Iridescent
ink
Laminate
OVD
(Optically Variable Device)
|
|
|
|
054
Kinegram®
A computer
generated hologram ( DOVID
) capable of producing multiple high-resolution images. The Kinegram®
contains special types of computer-generated diffractive optical elements with
symmetric and asymmetric surface reliefs (gratings). These gratings are typically
arranged vector-graphic-like and can be designed in different ways to exhibit kinematic,
colour changing, contrast reversal and other special effects.
OVD
(Optically Variable Device)
|
|
Netherlands: Transparent Kinegram® |
|
|
Bulgaria: partially demetallized Kinegram® |
|
|
Metallized Kinegram® |
|
(018), (056), (057), (144), (145)
025
Laminate
057
Plastic
film that is affixed to the biodata page by means of pressure (cold-applied
laminate)
056
and/or heat
(heat-applied
laminate) in
order to protect data entries against falsification.
053
example: Kinefilm® - heat-applied laminate with integral Kinegram® patch, existing in both metallized and transparent
versions.
Laminates
can incorporate specific security features which are not usually available on
the market.
144
· Laminate overprint
Printed security
elements which tend to be placed on the reverse (=inner) side of the laminate
or between the layer of adhesive and the laminate. This protects against wear
and tampering.
Laminate
overprints tend to be printed using screen
printing, gravure
printing or flexo printing.
Laminate
UV feature
|
|
|
United Kingdom: passport
|
|
Poland: passport |
018
· Laminate embossing
Tactile laminate features such as
intricate designs of fine line patterns or microprint, which are incorporated
into security laminates by embossing.
|
Belgium: ID card
|
|
|
Sweden: passport
- laminate embossing with microprint |
Germany: passport
- laminate embossing with microprint |
145
· Laminate integrated by binding
In many passports the holder's image and
biodata are safeguarded with transparent laminate. In order to prevent manipulation,
the laminate is integrated in the passport booklet by binding. This will leave
a strip of laminate forming a narrow margin on the facing page towards the back
of the document.
Binding
technique
|
|
|
|
|
Spain: passport - laminate integrated by binding, forming margin
on facing page |
|
146
Laminate UV feature
Fluorescent
ink or
fluorescent
overprint
forming printed
security elements on laminates; they tend to be placed on the reverse (=inner)
side of the laminate or between the layer of adhesive and the laminate. This
protects against wear and tampering.
|
|
Belgium: passport - laminate UV feature:
multi-coloured fluorescent overprint |
|
|
Germany: ID-card - laminate UV feature: yellow-fluorescing eagles =
fluorescent overprint |
|
030
Laser engraving
Engraving
of pictures and text in plastic laminates or cards by means of a laser. In the
laser engraving process the data are written by blackening (carbonising)
laser-sensitive foils ( PVC or sensitized PC
).
The depth of the laser effects can be
deliberately targeted; the following technical variations are in use:
- Internal
(layer-specific) engraving: blackening in underlying layers through transparent
(non-laser-sensitive) cover foils
Examples:
·
Germany: driving licence
(given name, date and place of issue, signature)
·
Switzerland: ID card
(surname, given name)
|
|
Germany: driving licence |
|
|
Finland: ID card - laser engraving |
|
|
|
- Raised
(tactile) engraving
Examples:
·
Germany: driving
licence (surname, date and place of birth, serial number, driving licence
categories)
·
Switzerland: ID card
(e.g. date of birth on the front)
|
Germany: driving licence - |
Switzerland: ID card - |
Variable
laser image
|
(102), (107), (148)
147
Laser perforation
Using laser
technology, perforations of different types and sizes can be produced:
102
· Laser perforated serial number
The ID
document serial number is perforated through the substrate with a laser.
Typical distinguishing
marks are produced:
· traces of burning round the edges of
the holes
· no raised edges round the holes in
the substrate (paper) on the back of the perforations
· conical decrease in size of the perforated
holes in the book block when viewed from front to back
Serial
number
|
First page of the book block Laser perforated
serial number Last page of the book block |
|
148
· Laser perforated fine
structures and designs (rip cuts)
|
United Kingdom: passport - laser perforated
structures/designs: Destri Perf® |
Netherlands: passport |
107
· Secondary (ghost) image - laser perforated
Perforation
forming a secondary image of the document holder, visible by transmitted light.
Examples: Image Perf®, Netherlands and Belgian passports.
Secondary
(ghost) image
|
|
Belgium: passport - laser perforated secondary image viewed by
transmitted light |
107a
· Laser
perforation with tilting effect
The
individual letters of the TLI ® (Tilted Laser Image) are perforated at
different angles. The image that can be seen by transmitted light, changes
depending on the angle of view.
|
|
Netherlands: passport
|
|
Netherlands: passport - |
|
|
(044), (098)
046
Laser print/copy
044
Laser
printers are a type of digital printers that use
electro-photographic processes.
098
Images are
transferred to the substrate using toner as in the case of
conventional photocopiers.
Laser printing
is a possible integration technique for biodata
/ photo / signature integration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgaria: passport - biodata & photo integration technique: laser printing |
|
|
|
|
Belgium: passport: MRZ - integration technique: laser printing
|
043
Latent image
Intaglio
printed motif,
visible when tilted and viewed under oblique
light. Depending on the angle of the oblique light, the image
appears light against a darker background or vice versa. A pattern of
raised lines at right angles (90°) forms a special surface which reveals
the motif through light and shadow effects.
|
|
|
|
Poland: passport -
depending on the angle of the oblique light "RP" is visible in a
light or dark colour |
|
|
|
Switzerland: visa - line structure of the latent image |
|
|
Belgium: passport - latent image revealed by tilting the document |
|
097
Letterpress printing
Printing
technique in which the printing areas are raised, similar to a stamp.
It is one
of the oldest printing techniques. Characteristic features are recesses pressed
into the substrate and a thick, sharply defined rim of ink around the printed
image, slightly separated from the main body of the character, called ink
squash. In security documents letterpress printing is often used for
printing sequential numbers such as serial numbers.
Not to be
confused with dry
offset - indirect letterpress.
|
|
Serial number in letterpress printing |
|
Letterpress form for text printing |
|
|
|
|
|
(082)
149
Machine Readable Zone - MRZ
The specifications of Machine Readable
Travel Documents (MRTD) are set out in document 9303 of the International
Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to these
standards, the biodata page of a MRTD is divided into two different zones:
- a Visual Inspection
Zone (VIZ) containing the document designation, the holder’s facial
image, personal data and data concerning issue and validity;
082
- a Machine
Readable Zone (MRZ) containing some of the information
from the Visual Inspection Zone in the form of a sequence of alphanumeric
characters and the symbol “<”, forming two or three lines. This
sequence of characters can be read by document readers in order to
facilitate inspections of travel documents (OCR - Optical Character
Recognition(082) – fonts).
· Form of the MRZ:
·
ID1 format (86 x 54
mm): three lines with 30 characters each, situated on the reverse side
(verso) of the document.
· ID2 format (105 x 74 mm): two lines with
36 characters each, situated at the bottom of the biodata page or visa.
· ID3 format (125 x 88 mm): two lines with
44 characters each, situated at the bottom of the biodata page.
Size 2 MRTD (TD-2)
|
01 Issuing State |
02 Type of document |
|
|
|
||
|
|
03 Name – primary identifier (VR) |
|
|
|
04 Name – secondary identifier (VR) |
|
|
|
05 Sex (3) |
|
|
|
06 Nationality (3) |
|
|
|
07 Date of birth (15) |
|
|
13 Photo of holder |
08 Optional personal data elements (VR) |
|
|
|
09 Document number (VR) |
|
|
|
10 Date of expiry (15) |
|
|
|
11 Optional document data elements (VR) |
|
|
Zone V |
12 Signature |
|
|
|
||
|
Upper machine readable line |
||
|
|
||
|
Lower machine readable line |
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Slovenia: ID card (ID1 format) - 3-line MRZ (Machine
Readable Zone) on the reverse side (verso) |
|
150
Machine verifiable feature
A security
feature that can be read and verified by machines (document readers); it serves
to authenticate a travel or identity document by detection or measurement of
special physical properties of document elements or structures.
MRZ
(Machine Readable Zone)
|
|
|
|
119
Magnetic strip
Thin strip of magnetic material attached to a plastic card and used for
recording data.
|
|
|
|
151
Metallic pigment
Metallic pigments like aluminium and bronze are
used as components of printing inks to produce surfaces with a metallic sheen.
Metallic ink is not a security ink in the strict sense, as it is freely available
to any commercial printer. Metallic ink is nevertheless a typical anti-copy
ink, as a copy (including one produced by a desktop printer) cannot
render the original effect.
|
|
Estonia: passport - coat-of-arms in gold metallic ink on the inside
front cover |
|
066
Metameric colours
Pairs of (chemically different) colours that
can barely be distinguished in one type of illumination, but show a noticeable
colour contrast in another type of light or when viewed through a filter,
usually a red filter.
Four-colour reproduction systems (offset
printing, colour copiers, inkjet printers etc.) cannot copy metameric effects.
Either the metameric colours will lead to identical four-colour reproductions
(with a complete loss of the metameric effect), or the metameric colours (which
appear similar under normal light) are reproduced in two different colours,
which makes the reproduction obvious.
|
|
Slovakia: ID-card - printed in metameric colours on the
reverse side (verso); right-hand image shows print, viewed through a
red filter. |
|
|
|
|
152
Microchip – contact
Integrated
circuit (microchip) for the storage and processing of data, embedded for
example in ID cards. The secure electronic medium contains e.g. the personal
data: name, date of birth, place of birth, issuing office and a digitized
version of the image of the holder. An ID card with contact chip must be
inserted into a reader to make contact with electrical connectors to be able to
read the information from it. The visible parts of the chip module are the
typical gold contacts.
|
|
|
Portugal: ID card
|
153
Microchip – contactless
Integrated circuit (microchip)
embedded e.g. in passports, ID cards and biometric residence permits, for the
storage and processing of data. The chip, not visible in most documents , communicates
with the card reader via electromagnetic waves (Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID)). To start the transmission, proximity to the reader is required.
Biometric or e-passports incorporate a contactless (or proximity) chip.
These are incorporated into the travel document in a variety of ways. The
chip may (as illustrated) be embedded within a thick transparent
laminate, within the document cover, or within a special polycarbonate
page. To maintain data security, basic access control is used - the contactless
chip can be read by the relevant reader only once it has been unlocked by a
validated PIN code, as well as extended access control (terminal
authentication) - within the document’s MRZ (Machine Readable Zone); data
exchange is protected by means of an encoded PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
protocol.
Biometric identifier
|
|
United Kingdom: passport
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
067, 068, 154
Miniprint(067), microprint(068) & nanoprint(154)
Lines or motifs made up of very small letters
or numbers that are barely perceptible to the eye; in documents they often form
the guidelines for writing. Miniprint and microprint are also used as security
elements of the background
printing.
See also endless
text.
· Miniprint(068) may be discerned with
the naked eye (but more clearly with magnification).
· Microprint(067) will often require the
use of low magnification, e.g. a jeweller’s loupe.
· Nanoprint(154) invariably requires the
use of high magnification to be seen, e.g. a microscope.
Basic methods of reproduction often do not
allow detailed microprinting. Therefore, forged documents will often show
unreadable microprint. However, using advanced reproduction techniques it is
possible to reproduce miniprint and microprint to a high standard.
|
Portugal: passport - miniprint
(the blue text) and microprint (smaller purple letters) |
|
|
|
|
|
101
Needle perforation
Making
holes mechanically (by piercing or punching) in order to incorporate a number
or motif into a document.
Serial
numbers are perforated in a regular, matrix-type
arrangement of circular, equal‑sized holes always pierced in the same
direction. Needle perforation is recognisable by the ridges ("burr")
that can be felt on the back of the substrate.
Not to be confused with laser
perforation.
|
|
|
|
|
Belgium: passport |
|
155
Needle printing
A needle printer or dot-matrix printer is a
type of computer printer which prints by impact, striking an ink-soaked cloth
ribbon against the substrate, much like a typewriter. Unlike a typewriter,
letters are drawn out of a dot matrix and thus variable fonts can be produced.
|
|
Portugal |
|
070
Numbering
To indicate within the descriptive text the
composition of the serial
number, the following alphanumeric characters are generally
used: A: any letter, N: any digit: e.g. < AA-NNNNN
> , < AAA NNN > or
< AANNNN >. Other letters are normally only used if the same
letter is actually printed on each document of the same series (version) - then
it is put between quotation marks: e.g.: < "Nr EE" NNNNNN >:
|
|
Belgium |
|
156
Oblique light
Light from
the side, falling at a shallow angle, which reveals the surface structure of an
object through contrasts of light and shade.
Oblique
light is used especially to inspect embossing
stamps, intaglio
printing, latent
images and mechanical erasures.
|
|
|
|
157
Offset printing
Offset is an indirect printing process in which
text or image are transferred on to a cylinder covered with a rubber blanket
and from there printed to the substrate. Offset printing relies on the
principle of mutual repulsion of water and fat; characterized by even inking
and precise edge limits. The printing and non-printing areas lie in the same
plane of the printing plate.
In security
printing, another indirect printing process, indirect letterpress
(sometimes also called dry offset) printing is
widely used. Here the text or image is transferred from a letterpress printing
plate to the rubber blanket. The result is very similar to “wet offset” (the
characteristic features of letterpress
printing are not always to be seen).
|
|
|
|
118
Optical stripe
A laser-readable memory device
with a relatively large storage capacity (up to 4 MB). Multiple data files
including high resolution images can be stored; also visual features, like a
micro image, security patterns and an OVD
(Optically Variable Device) can be viewed for rapid card
authentication.
|
|
Italy: ID card (verso) |
|
(079), (115), (177), (178)
011
OVD (Optically Variable Device)
OVDs - security features which show different
information, depending on the viewing and/or lighting conditions. This change
of appearance is reversible, predictable and reproducible.
We differentiate between the following kinds of
OVDs:
1. Devices
with colour changes based on thin layer interference:
- OVI:
optically variable ink
·
iridescent
laminate
- iridescent
ink
2. Materials/
Structures with variable reflection characteristics:
- retroreflective
laminate
- tilting
effect
115
3. DOVIDs - Diffractive Optically Variable Image Devices:
DOVIDs contain gratings (usually in
the form of surface reliefs) which are able to modify light by diffraction.
This can be used to create different effects like two- or three-dimensional
images or kinematic and colour-changing effects.
The different DOVIDs differ in the
method used to create the grating structures, the resulting image
resolution, the brightness, and their animation capabilities. They are
generally known by their trademark names:
· Hologram
· Computer generated DOVIDs:
Kinegram®, Identigram®,
177, 079, 178
Dot-Matrix-Hologram, Exelgram®, Movigram® (177), Pixelgram® (079), Stereogram® (178).
|
092
OVI (Optically Variable Ink)
Printing ink containing optically variable
pigments which show large colour shifts (strong variations in colour) depending
on the angle of observation or lighting. Optically variable inks consist of
multi-layered micro flakes in a transparent ink medium. The pigment flakes are
microscopic waveband-selecting optical devices (interference filters).
OVIs
are used in intaglio
printing or in screen
printing.
Iridescent
ink
|
Germany: EU uniform format visa |
|
|
|
Hungary: ID card
|
|
|
Czech Republic: passport - OVI feature
|
|
OVI (mind the colour change in
the example
|
|
|
|
Counterfeit |
|
|
|
© Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OenB.at) |
© Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OenB.at) |
|
|
|
||
|
159
PC (polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate (PC) is a
thermoplastic polymer with excellent toughness characteristics. When used as a substrate for
documents (biodata pages or cards), a composition of several layers is fused at
high temperature.
With PC as
a substrate for security documents, a wide range of special security features
can be integrated, e.g. personalization by laser
engraving, laser
perforated secondary (ghost) images and variable
laser images.
|
|
|
|
027
Phosphorescent ink
Ink containing
components which emit light after exposure to light of a specific wavelength
(normal light or UV
light).
In
phosphorescent materials the emission of light continues after cessation of the
stimulated radiation (from 10-8 seconds to several seconds or hours)
whereas fluorescence is a very short-lived emission which ceases within 10-8
seconds ( fluorescent
ink).
|
|
|
|
160
Photochromic ink
Photochromic
inks change their colour when exposed to UV
light. When the UV light source is removed, the colour change
stays for a certain time before the colour reverts to its original state.
Examples:
Estonia: passport, Malta: passport (since November 2000).
Iridescent,
photochromic ink
|
Estonia: passport - laminate overprint with
iridescent, photochromic ink |
After exposure to UV
light the greenish iridescent |
|
(073), (076), (032)
130
Photograph
of the holder - fixing methods
· Photo Patch
Fixing
method for conventional photos.
|
|
United Kingdom |
076
· Glued
Fixing
method for conventional photos.
|
|
|
073
· Eyelets (rivets)
Fixing
method for conventional photos.
|
|
|
032
· Stapled
|
|
|
|
088
Photographic paper
Paper coated with light-sensitive chemicals.
(Not to be confused with
specially coated printing papers for high-quality inkjet or laser printing
(digital photographic) processes, which in everyday language are also referred
to as photographic papers.)
Photographic
process
|
|
|
|
161
Photographic process
Procedures
by which light-sensitive materials are made to produce an image on photographic
paper. A photographic process is a possible integration
technique for biodata
/ photo / signature integration.
|
|
Belgium: ID card - biodata integration by photographic
process |
|
080
Planchettes
Small coloured discs incorporated (or
scattered) in the paper during manufacture.
Planchettes
are incorporated in a similar way to coloured
fibres.
Planchettes
can also be metallic or transparent; they may also fluoresce under UV
light, or be made of an iridescent
substance showing colour shifts.
|
|
Coloured planchettes and fibres |
|
|
086
Pre-printed text
Text printed in a document on top of the
security or background
printing.
Not to be
confused with biographical
/ other personalization text.
|
|
Belgium |
|
(163), (164), (165)
162
PSEUDO DOCUMENTS
This is one
type of : FALSE
DOCUMENT; other types of false document are counterfeit
and forgery.
Pseudo
documents comprise
a range of documents that have no legal basis, and which are normally not based
on any legitimate document.
A pseudo document has the appearance of an
official document, but is not issued by a legally recognized, existing
authority or institution of a state or organisation recognized under
international law, and so has no legal validity.
163
· Fantasy document
Fantasy documents bear the names of imaginary
states, or of an organisation - the issuer is neither a
state recognized under international law, nor an authorized institution; e.g. Hutt
River Passport, Texas Passport, Republik Maluku SELATAN Surat Pas, World
Service Authority Passport, etc.
|
|
|
164
· Camouflage document
Documents that claim to come from countries or
organisations that no longer exist or have a new name, e.g. Eastern
Samoa, New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), British Honduras
(now Belize), or Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso).
|
|
|
165
· Other pseudo documents
For example documents, visas or stamps that
bear the name of an existing state or organisation but do not correspond to any
existing real document in the country or international organisation indicated
(sometimes also called fictitious documents).
Not to be confused with: forgery,
nor with counterfeit.
|
|
|
|
(099)
PVC (polyvinylchloride)
099
A widely used thermoplastic (transparent(099)) polymer. In
a lot of documents PVC is used as substrate.
PC
(polycarbonate) is often preferred for security printing and for documents for which a
higher durability is needed (longer validity periods).
|
045
Rainbow colouring
Also called
split duct printing. This colouring process used in offset printing is used to
protect security documents against colour separation or copying, by subtly
merging colours into each other resulting in a gradual colour change.
Background
printing
|
|
|
|
029
Relief embossing
Also sometimes called blind embossing:
colourless embossing of images or text.
Relief or blind embossing involves
high-pressure embossing of letters, motifs or other designs.
|
|
United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) - passport |
|
Recto Verso |
|
|
|
055
Retroreflective laminate
An invisible image is incorporated into the
laminate and rendered visible by the use of co-axial
light using a special viewer.
|
|
Netherlands: passport - normal light (left) & viewed by co-axial
light (right) |
|
|
|
|
170
Schablon (stencil) multiple colouring process
This colouring process - sometimes also
referred to as Orlof (Orlov) process - is used in intaglio
printing and enables more than
one colour to be printed simultaneously and accurately with one printing plate.
A modern printing press can often print several colours (e.g. 3, 4, or 5). The
individual colours are applied via individual stencils that match the elements
or parts of the required final design. These stencils are also referred to
as schablons (or chablons). The inks may overlap to a small
extent and in the final printed image a slight colour transition can therefore
be seen.
The colour
transitions need not, as in rainbow
colouring (offset printing), run
parallel to the direction of printing.
|
|
|
|
|
Australia: passport (3 colours) |
|
042
Scrambled (encrypted) image
By means of special software tools
· individual information such as the
passport number, or the holder's name, is embedded in the photograph of the
holder or
· static information such as a country’s name, is
embedded in the background printing of travel documents.
This
information is invisible to the human eye, as it is printed in
"scrambled" format and can only be seen using a decoder lens (a
special viewer) or laboratory equipment (scanner or camera with a computer with
image processing software).
Not to be confused with latent
image, nor with tilting
effect.
|
085
Screen printing
A printing technique also known as silk-screen
printing in which the print is produced by the ink being pressed with a
so-called doctor blade through the permeable areas of a screen (mesh) on to the
substrate below. Screen printing enables a thicker layer of ink to be applied
in one operation than any other printing process.
Characteristics:
Generally dense covering of ink, thick layer; net structure with saw-tooth
edges.
In security
printing, screen printing is mainly used for laminate
overprints or printing of OVI.
|
|
|
|
168
Secondary (ghost) image
Second
facial image of the document holder included in identity documents.
Secondary
(ghost or shadow) images can be applied by the same printing process as the
primary facial image or by different processes, e.g. using:
fluorescent
overprint
laser
perforation
Identigram®
|
|
Bulgaria: passport |
|
(037)
036
Security thread
A strip
(plastic, metallic, or other material) incorporated in the substrate during
manufacture to serve as an additional security feature. A broad range of security threads exists, from polymer to metal-coated,
coloured and micro-printed laminate strips, to highly complex threads, which
possess machine-readable properties.
Fluorescent
security thread
|
|
|
|
|
Czech Republic: passport: security thread with negative microprint by transmitted light |
037
The security thread may be
completely embedded in the substrate or lie partly on top of it, window-like;hence
it is sometimes called windowed thread:
|
|
|
|
069
See-through register
Images in accurate front-to-back register.
Designs or partial motifs seemingly printed at random on the front and back of
the substrate, but which match up perfectly or form a complete motif when
viewed by transmitted
light.
Imperfect register in counterfeits
will produce a blurred image when viewed by transmitted light.
|
|
Motif on recto Motif on verso Czech Republic: ID
card - see-through register |
|
|
Switzerland: passport |
|
169
Serial number
A unique sequential
number that is printed or perforated in a document and assigned for
identification; this uniqueness allows a document to be traced if it is lost or
stolen.
|
|
|
|
|
Lithuania: diplomatic passport |
|
035
Stitching thread
See:
Binding
technique,
Fluorescent
stitching thread
|
(074)
087, 001
Substrate(087) without optical brightener(001)
Security paper (e.g. passport paper):
074
Does
not contain optical brighteners and thus remains dark(074) under UV
light.
The use of paper substrate with optical brighteners in passports is, however,
also possible (but they are not used very often):
Optical brighteners are substances which are
incorporated during manufacture into the paper pulp (which consists mainly of
wood fibres), in order to make the paper appear whiter. The presence of optical
brighteners can be detected by their bluish fluorescence under UV
light.
|
|
Substrate with optical brighteners |
Substrate
without optical brighteners
|
171
Synthetic fibres
Synthetic
fibres are used as a main component in some special papers; they make the paper
highly durable and resistant (example: old (pink, folded) German driving
licence).
Not to be
confused with coloured
fibres, which do not contribute to the mechanical properties
of a paper.
|
131
Tank tracking - perforation
A method of
securing a conventionally fixed (e.g. glued) image of the holder (authentication),
applied with a (hand) press in the form of a pattern of lines; between the
lines there are often perforated holes.
Embossing
stamp
Ink
stamp
|
|
Germany: ID card (older version) |
|
089
Thermal dye sublimation
Like
thermal
transfer printers, sublimation printers use an ink ribbon. The
dye on the foil is heated to a specific temperature at which it evaporates and
then diffuses into the substrate. For that diffusion process a
specially coated substrate is necessary. Depending on the temperature applied,
a varying amount of dye is diffused into the substrate.
This
facilitates the production of an image with continuous tone colours. Thermal
dye sublimation is a possible integration technique for biodata
/ photo / signature integration.
|
|
|
|
048
Thermal transfer printing
Printing takes place by applying heat to a
heat-sensitive ribbon containing wax- or resin-based ink. The coloured ink
ribbon is heated over a certain area, and the melted ink is then fully
transferred from the ribbon on to the substrate. Depending on the heating
process the size of the transferred area of ink can be varied. Halftones are
generated by rasterisation (screening). The transfer of a homogeneous layer of
colour leads to dots or areas with sharp edges.
Special ink ribbons, e.g. with
metallic pigments, can also be used.
Thermal transfer printing is a possible
integration technique for biodata
/ photo / signature integration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
094
Thermochromic ink
Special ink
that changes colour in a reversible way at different temperatures.
|
172
Tilting effect
An image (or
characters) which can be seen or which changes when the document is tilted.
For special
tilting effects see:
latent
image
laser
perforation with tilting effect
variable
laser image.
|
|
|
|
173
Transmitted light
Light shining
through the object being viewed (here: page of document). In practice, the
object to be viewed is placed between the eye (or camera) and the light source.
Watermark
|
|
|
|
108
Unique character
Not one of the standard fonts or typefaces.
|
|
|
|
103
UV light (ultraviolet light)
Belongs to the electromagnetic waves at the
lower boundary of visible light (200 - 400 nm). A source of light that is
frequently used in document examination to analyse paper brightness, fluorescent
inks and other security features as well as tampering.
The main UV sources used in document
examination are UV sources with 365/366 nm (long-wave UV), 313 nm (medium wave
UV) and 254 nm (short-wave UV) wavelength radiation. Ultraviolet
"light" is not visible itself, only its effect, i.e. the visible
fluorescence stimulated by UV light can be seen ( fluorescent
ink, etc.).
|
|
|
|
|
Simple UV hand light for document examination |
|
|
|
|
158
Variable laser image
Laser engraved image with tilting effect
incorporated in plastic cards: images are engraved at different angles through
an array of cylindrical lenses embossed into the surface of the card. The image
that can be seen changes depending on the angle of view.
Laser
engraving
Secondary
(ghost) image
OVD
(Optically Variable Device)
113
CLI ® - Changeable Laser Image (vertical raster)
114
MLI ® - Multiple Laser Image (horizontal raster)
|
|
|
|
Switzerland: ID card - reverse
side (verso) - MLI ®: depending on the angle of view either the serial
number or the year of expiry can be seen. |
|
|
|
|
|
Finland: ID card - CLI ® |
|
|
(062), (063), (064)
061
Watermark
A picture, text or character motif,
which is incorporated into the paper during manufacture by displacement of the
paper fibres, leading to a varying thickness of the paper.
The watermark can be observed using transmitted
light. Where the paper is thinner, we can see more light and a
clearer image. Where the paper is thicker we will see a darker image.
The watermark should not appear
under UV
light.
We distinguish
different types of watermarks:
064
· Single tone watermark
Can be bright or dark.
|
Single tone (dark) watermark |
Single tone (bright) watermark |
062
|
Electrotype watermark |
|
174
· Duotone watermark
Bright and dark.
|
Bulgaria: passport |
France: laissez-passer |
063
· Multitone watermark
Sometimes also called
cylinder mould watermark.
|
|
|
Belgium: passport
|
The End.
Suggestions for
improvements, observations on errors & bugs please send to: helpline.PRADO@consilium.europa.eu
©
European Communities, 2007-2009
General Secretariat
of the Council of the European Union, General Directorate for Justice and Home
Affairs,
DG H 1 A, rue de la Loi 175, 1048 Brussels, Belgium, Europe.
helpline.PRADO@consilium.europa.eu
Reproduction is
authorised, provided the source is acknowledged, unless otherwise stated.
Where prior
permission must be obtained for the reproduction or use of textual and
multimedia information (sound, images, software, etc.), such permission shall
cancel the abovementioned general permission and shall clearly indicate any
restrictions on use.