Photochromic Ink
Inks containing dyes or pigments that change color when exposed to ultraviolet or very intense visible light. They subsequently revert to their original color.
Prismatic Pattern
The overprinting of two or more colored inks to create a blended color affect that is difficult to match on copiers. Prismatic color blending is visually similar to split fountain printing, but differences become apparent when the images are magnified.
Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID)
A tag such as a chip or adhesive sticker incorporated into a product to electronically store data about the product or bearer and allows remote retrieval of that data. RFID tags contain antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio frequency queries from an RFID transceiver.
Safety Background
A type of security paper manufactured with a printed pattern to show evidence of any attempt made to alter the document by erasing or by chemical alteration.
Safety Paper
Paper with hidden words that appear in the duplicate when the document is copied or scanned.
Scratch-off
A process to cover printed data with a opaque covering so it cannot be read until the final user removes the coating to read the data. Most often used for gaming or lottery tickets.
Security Foil
A patterned thin, metallic layer stamped onto a document. Can be flat or embossed to create a raised image. Foils scan poorly and are impossible to reproduce with printers or photocopiers.
Security Paper
Paper that contains special features, such as dyes, florescent fibers, and watermarks, used on checks and other security sensitive documents.
Security Tapes and Seals
Frangible tapes and seals that tear into multiple pieces when removed indicating tampering or opening.
Security Thread
A thin strip of polymer film precisely embedded or windowed into the paper. The thread can be microprinted, demetalized, have UV features, and have optically variable characteristics.
Self Voiding Label
A label that when removed, leaves a pattern or text (often “Void”).
Solvent-Reactant Inks
Solvent sensitive inks that are designed to detect an attempt to fraudulently alter a document by smudging and fluorescing when subjected to specific solvents.
Split Ink Fountain
Printing with more than one ink in a printing fountain to achieve a unique blended pattern that is difficult to reproduce.
Taggents
Tiny tracers in the inks or base materials that can be traced and used to authenticate the document with a reader.
Tamper Evident Label
Labels that when removed show evidence of tampering by leaving a message on the base surface such as “VOID” or “OPENED.” The label cannot be replaced without indication that it was tampered with.
Thermochromic Ink
Ink that changes color when exposed to heat and then changes back to its original color when cooled.
Toner Adhesion
Toner fuse is a treatment that is added to the surface of the paper to promote better toner adhesion so the image cannot be lifted from the surface of the paper.
Visible Paper Fiber
Visible embedded fibers are fibers within the paper stock that can be seen with the naked eye.
Void Pantograph
Also known as “hidden word” technology. This feature makes it extremely difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce checks or documents because the word “VOID” appears when copied or scanned.
Warning Band
A disclaimer on the document stating the inclusion of security features.
Warning Regulation
A warning of the legal ramifications of altering or copying the document.
Watermark
A translucent design, pattern or symbol created in paper by varying the distribution of fibers within an area of the paper to identify the manufacturer, brand, or customer. It is best seen when held up to a light. A watermark cannot be copied.