EP1317346B1 - Data carrier, method for the production thereof and gravure printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier having a security element that is at lest visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, the embossing being a halftone blind embossing executed by inkless line intaglio printing, and to a method for producing the data carrier and a printing plate for blind-embossing a security element.

Description

The invention relates to a data carrier with a blind embossed in intaglio printing Security element and a method for manufacturing the data carrier and a pressure plate for blind embossing of a security element.

Data carriers in the sense of the invention are security or value documents, such as banknotes, ID cards, passports, check forms, shares, certificates, Postage stamps, flight tickets and the like as well as labels, seals, packaging or other items for product assurance. The simplifying term "Data carrier" and "Security or security document" closes therefore always include documents of the type mentioned below.

Such papers, their commercial or utility value by far the material value through appropriate measures must be recognized as genuine and be distinguishable from imitations and counterfeits. Therefore you will provided with special security elements, which ideally do not or can only be copied with great effort and cannot be falsified.

In the past, those security elements in particular have been proven, identified by the viewer without tools and recognized as real but can be produced at the same time only with great effort are. This is e.g. for watermarks that only during papermaking can be introduced into the data carrier or to motifs produced by intaglio printing, which are characterized by their characteristic Characterize tactility that is not imitated by copiers can be.

It is characteristic of gravure printing technology that the printing, i.e. ink-transferring areas of the printing plate as depressions in the printing plate surface available. These wells are made using a suitable one Engraving tool or generated by etching. Before the real one Printing process is applied to the engraved printing plate color, and the excess ink using a squeegee or a wiping cylinder removed from the surface of the printing plate so that the color is only remains in the depressions. Then a substrate, in usually paper, pressed against the printing plate and removed again, the color sticks to the substrate surface and there a printed image forms. If glazing colors are used, the thickness of the Color application the hue.

In gravure printing, a distinction is made between screen printing and the Differentiation between engraved and line gravure. With the gravure printing process the production of the printing plates, for example using an electron beam, Laser beam or prick. Characteristic of gravure printing is that different gray or color values of the printed image due to regular wells of different density and size arranged in the pressure plate and / or depth are generated.

In contrast, intaglio printing is linear in the printing plates Wells are introduced to create a printed image. In the mechanically manufactured printing plate for intaglio printing is due of the usually tapered engraving tools with increasing Stitch depth creates a wider line. In addition, the ink absorption capacity decreases the engraved line and thus the opacity of the printed line with increasing stitch depth. When etching intaglio plates the non-printing areas of the printing plate with a chemically inert Lacquer covered. Subsequent etching will result in the exposed Plate surface creates the depressions intended for the color recording, where the depth of these lines depends in particular on the etching time and line width depend.

Due to the high contact pressure, the substrate material experiences during intaglio printing additionally an embossing that is also on the back of the substrate looming. The intaglio printing plate is used without the use of color the substrate used is so-called blind embossing subjected to, giving the disk a typical surface relief becomes.

Intaglio printing technology, especially steel intaglio printing technology, delivers such a characteristic, easily recognizable print or embossed image, that cannot be reproduced with other common printing processes can. With sufficient depth of the engravings in the printing plate namely receives a data medium printed in intaglio printing by embossing and color application a printed image that forms a relief perceptible with the sense of touch. The intaglio printing technique is therefore preferred for printing of data carriers, in particular security and value documents, such as, for example Banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers and the like, that meet the high requirements regarding security against counterfeiting need to be used.

A method is known from WO 97/48555 with which intaglio printing plates can be produced in a reproducible, mechanical way. To the lines of a line template are recorded and the area of each Line is determined exactly. With an engraving tool, for example one rotating stylus or a laser beam, first the outer contour this area is engraved to cleanly frame the area. Subsequently the bordered area of the surface is created using the same or a other engraving tool cleared so that the entire area of the line is engraved exactly according to the line template. Depending on the shape and guidance of the engraving tool creates a basic roughness pattern on the bottom of the cleared area, that serves as a color catcher for the printing ink.

It has also already been proposed to produce intaglio printing plates blind embossing. Even blind embossing in one Metal layers are already known from the prior art. Indeed the known blind embossings are very simple embodiments, which is only a predetermined embossing height or depth exhibit. That is, the embossing is done with a printing plate, which is only has a one-step engraving with a certain constant depth. Embossing areas with different engraving depths, e.g. Lines different Depths are always separated by non-engraved areas. Such embossments are visually only under very specific oblique angles Viewing angles recognizable, so this security feature from the viewer is often not noticed and attempts at counterfeiting are made easier remain undetected. Such imprints are also in for the viewer usually not very impressive.

The object of the present invention is to protect against forgery of media by adding a more difficult to imitate more complicated security feature applied to the disk that is clearly visible and visually striking.

This task is solved by the independent claims. further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

The data carrier according to the invention is characterized by a security element from which can be checked at least visually and in at least one partial area has an embossing that in non-ink-bearing intaglio printing executed halftone blind embossing.

Halftone blind embossing is blind embossing with several different embossing heights or embossing depths, preferably merge seamlessly. Preferably, the halftone blind embossing a spatial image of a three-dimensional template, e.g. one Plastic or a relief. Alternatively, it is also possible from a two-dimensional Go out template and this according to appropriate specifications, e.g. depending on those in the two-dimensional image template Colors, halftones, line widths, etc., in a three-dimensional template implement. The next step is based on the one to be reproduced as an embossing three-dimensional template specially designed for printing plate milling adapted halftone image, in which the gray values determined Engraving depths can be assigned.

Preferably, the areas that are spatially most embossed the darkest grayscale and thus the largest Assigned engraving depth, and the areas that are further back in space should be assigned a lighter gray level and thus a smaller engraving depth. When the halftone image is converted into an engraving, it becomes a three-dimensional one Relief created in the engraving plate. The engraving tool can be guided so that there is a continuous engraving depth profile results. In particular, by emphasizing the edges of the motif contours a sharp and concise presentation can be achieved in paper.

In a simple embodiment, the template consists of alphanumeric Characters and / or simple graphic elements as text or the like are arranged. The characters and / or elements have different names Relief heights, which creates a "modulated" surface structure results. The effect is increased when the characters and / or elements also vary in size.

According to a preferred embodiment, a template, such as A portrait is used, which can be found in a variety of different ways Halftones or grayscale can be implemented. The individual grayscale or Groups of grayscale of this implementation then become different Assigned engraving depths. For example, maximum engraving depth for black and minimal engraving depth for white. That is, e.g. B. for the nose of a portrait, which usually has a bright highlight in the template that this must be displayed in black at its highest point in the halftone image, whereby the engraving becomes deeper at this point and the embossing created with it protrudes from the surface of the paper. All are accordingly To convert parts of the picture into corresponding gray values. This in The halftone image converted to the engraving depth is then used to control the Engraving tool used. The differently milled areas border directly on each other. That means they are not through at the printing plate level lying areas separated. The engraving depths can be up to to reach 300 µm and more, preferably they reach up to 250 µm. The As already mentioned, engravings can generally also be done using laser engraving be generated.

With the intaglio printing plate produced in this way, which is a three-dimensional has engraved relief, the disk is finally embossed, a three-dimensional relief is in turn generated in the data carrier.

Basically, this is a printing process, but it does no color is transferred. However, as with the Intaglio printing process usual, pressed into the recesses of the engraving plate and permanently deformed by the strong contact pressure, i.e. embossed. The printing plate areas with the greatest engraving depth produce the strongest imprints, i.e. the areas where paper is most deformed and produce the printing plate areas with the smallest engraving depths the weakest imprint. The paper with the not engraved Areas of the printing or embossing plate comes into contact with the high contact pressure compressed evenly and at least on the Surface densifies, creating these surface areas after intaglio printing have an increased gloss.

The gloss or the visual impression of the embossed parts of the image can also be targeted to be influenced. As initially mentioned in connection with the in WO 97/48555 already mentioned engraving technique, can by the shape and the guidance of the engraving tool at the bottom of the cleared by the engraving A roughness pattern can be created on the surface. With blind embossing this roughness of the embossing plate affects the visual impression of the embossed areas. So you can achieve with large engraving tools Tip radius and round geometry and closely spaced clearing paths (for example, about 10 microns) smooth engravings that are smooth and tending produce more reflective embossing. You choose for the engraving tool on the other hand, a small tip radius with a pointed cutting edge geometry and further spaced clearing tracks (for example in the Order of magnitude of approx. 50 µm), one obtains rough, structured engravings that create a matt and diffusely scattering embossing.

An alternative or additional way to diffuse the light of an embossed Varying the substrate consists in engraving the wells in the printing or embossing plate the clearing direction in individual areas to change. Engravings that are linear, but for example around The clearing paths rotated 90 ° are visually distinguishable Embossing with different light reflection. same for also for engravings with straight or meandering clearing tracks in Compared to spiral or concentric clearing tracks. These effects can not only for a more appealing or striking design of the Blind embossing are used, but also increase theirs at the same time Forgery. With the help of this specifically used engraving technique can be superimposed on the embossed relief structures that are only under certain viewing or reflection angles are clearly recognizable. In the case of banknotes or other documents of value, the halftone blind embossing, which portrays a portrait, for example through the engraved substructures a value number can be superimposed.

The embossed image is three-dimensional and has a relatively complex structure. The area occupied by the halftone blind embossing is not subject to any restrictions. The halftone blind embossing preferably takes up an area of 0.25 cm ² to several cm ² .

The halftone blind embossing can represent any geometric element, e.g. with circular, triangular or square or asymmetrical Outline structure, a picture symbol, characters or other symbol. Especially however, the portrayal of a portrait is preferred, since the human Perception is trained on subtle differences in portraits and so that the recognition value of this security element is particularly large. It can also have multiple halftone blind embossings in any number and Form can be combined.

In order to further increase the security against counterfeiting of the security element, can combine the halftone blind embossing with a background print who are not using intaglio printing. This underground pressure is printed in a separate process before generating the Halftone blind embossing applied. The background is preferably printed the entire surface. For example, you can use it for printing on the background Screen printing, offset printing, indirect high pressure, high pressure or digital printing on.

Any printing inks can be used for background printing are, however, preferably effect colors are used, which due to an additional anti-counterfeiting effect due to their physical properties own and are difficult to imitate. Particularly suitable metallic effect colors, colors containing metal pigments or interference layer pigments Colors such as the company's IRIODINE® Merck.

Alternatively, the background print can also consist of a metal layer, which are applied, for example, to the data carrier by hot stamping becomes.

The halftone blind embossing is preferably completely in the area of the background print. In a special embodiment, the Background printing from an oval or circular metallic Imprint. This background print is then made in intaglio printing provided with a halftone blind embossing. Ideally, the Halftone blind embossing arranged in the middle of the background print, to create the impression of a coin representation.

However, since the background print and the halftone blind embossing differ Printing processes can be applied to the substrate Registration inaccuracies occur. However, these registration inaccuracies can through a combination with appropriately designed colored areas, which are arranged in register with the halftone blind embossing, camouflaged be, so that for the viewer the impression of a precise, in Center print of halftone blind embossing is created. halftone blind and the colored area or areas are preferred spaced apart from one another, unless specifically elements of blind embossing to create an optical bridge into the colored areas become.

The colored areas are arranged to overlap with the background print and designed in terms of shape and color so that the edge of the Background print is "optically resolved", i.e. smooth edge contours are avoided and any tolerances are effectively concealed or obscured. Line patterns such as are particularly suitable for the colored areas for example guilloche patterns, but also full-surface prints, in particular full-surface prints that have a suitable ink layer thickness, to cover the background print, or the same color like the background print.

According to a preferred embodiment, the colored area forms a Outline of the halftone blind embossing. The outline can be any outline contours exhibit. However, it is preferably oval or circular in a fixed distance around the blind embossing, so that the blind embossing is centered on the colored area. The border can be continuous or interrupted. It can also be flat or in shape be carried out by samples. The border is preferably in shape of guilloches or rings with optically resolved inner edges, such as pointed to the center point. Likewise, the Border composed of characters or geometric Have patterns such as guilloches, for example with characters be combined. The edge of the background print can also be made in this way be designed. The edges are resolved by means of a periodic one Structure, such as Jagged, guilloche, arches etc., both in the colored area as well as in the edge of the background print can be realized by Establishing a phase or frequency difference between the periodic Structure of the background print and the colored area an optimization the "optical resolution" or obfuscation can be achieved.

The registration between halftone blind embossing is particularly easy and color printing when both are intaglio be generated. In this case, an intaglio printing plate in one Operation with engraving for halftone blind embossing as well also provided with the engraving for the colored areas. Particularly advantageous are the high ink layer thicknesses of intaglio printing, that effectively cover any existing surface print can.

This intaglio printing plate, like all the other plates according to the invention Intaglio printing plates, preferably by engraving with a rapidly rotating, pointed taper made. According to the outline shape of the area to be printed or blind-stamped are marked by the Engraving tool recesses with targeted variation of the engraving depth in the Introduced surface of the pressure plate. Limit the engravings for halftone blind embossing and colored areas at certain points together, it makes sense to provide separating edges like these in these border areas is known from DE 198 45 436 A1 to prevent printing ink in reaches the area of the halftone blind embossing or further into the blind embossing can flow in.

Before printing, only the areas that create the colored areas are shown Parts of the engraving filled with paint. When printing, the substrate is both in the ink-guiding as well as in the non-ink-guiding engraving areas of the Pressure plate pressed. The color-bearing parts become the engraving Transfer color to the substrate. At the same time, the substrate, as with Intaglio printing usual, embossed. In the non-color areas of the Intaglio printing plate, on the other hand, the substrate is only embossed. Of the untreated, i.e. non-engraved surface areas of the printing plate no color is transferred.

One prints or embosses a data carrier with the method just described, results depending on the shape of the engraving described above the printing plate an appropriately designed embossing of the data carrier, wherein part of these embossed areas is colored. The dimensions the color layer areas, such as width and color layer thickness, result from the engraving depths and widths of the printing plate according to the invention and depending on the ink used in printing.

Depending on the selected ink layer thickness, the usual intaglio printing inks can opaque or to some extent glazed and translucent printed become. With suitable layer thicknesses and a sensible choice of the color of the There are color shades of different brightness and color saturation. If the ink layer thickness is sufficiently different, this results Contrasts that are clearly visible to the human eye without any additional aids. Normal lighting conditions and a normal viewing distance are required.

In order to increase the stability of the disk, it may be useful to use the embossing on the front of the security element with a coating, such as. to fill up with a varnish. This varnish can contain feature substances, such as luminescent substances etc. or other effect pigments, such as liquid crystal pigments contain. The lacquer can also be matt or glossy his. The protective lacquer layer also serves as reinforcement the gloss effect and the protection of the embossing.

The data carrier provided with this complex security element draws due to the high-contrast light and shadow effects created by the multi-level halftone blind embossing are produced by an increased Counterfeit security. The combination with register-containing for halftone blind embossing and arranged overlapping to the background print, colored, possibly tactile intaglio prints increase protection before counterfeiting and imitation.

Another way to increase counterfeit protection is to the motif of halftone blind embossing several times, but each time in another Provide techniques on the disk. For example, the same motif for a watermark and / or a classic colored one Intaglio printing can be used. A repetition of the same motif is also in background printing, in an embossed hologram, using fluorescent or optically variable colors (for example with interference layer or liquid crystal pigments) or by a so-called latent image and possible in any combination of the alternatives mentioned.

The security element according to the invention can either on the single data carrier or having multiple data carriers Substrates are applied.

As substrates or data carrier materials, all are suitable for intaglio printing candidate substrate materials, such as paper, plastic films, paper laminated or coated with plastic films and multilayered Composite materials. The invention is particularly suitable Process for printing on data carriers that have high requirements with regard to counterfeit security, such as security and Documents of value, such as banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, Vouchers and the like.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are as follows explained with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

eine Banknote in Aufsicht,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt entlang A - A in Fig.1,

Fig. 3 bis 6

verschiedene Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements,

Fig. 7

Halbtonbild für eine erfindungsgemäße Halbtonblindprägung,

Fig. 8

Gravurtiefenverlauf einer erfindungsgemäßen Stichtiefdruckplatte entlang A - A in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

einen Datenträger mit einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 10

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt aus Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

Schnitt entlang A - A in Fig. 9,

Fig. 12

einen erfindungsgemäßen Datenträger in Aufsicht,

Fig. 13

eine Anordnung von Untergrunddruck und farbigem Bereich.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a banknote under supervision,

Fig. 2

2 shows a section along A - A in FIG. 1,

3 to 6

different embodiments of the security element according to the invention,

Fig. 7

Halftone image for a halftone blind embossing according to the invention,

Fig. 8

Engraving depth profile of an intaglio printing plate according to the invention along A - A in FIG. 7,

Fig. 9

a data carrier with a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 10

9 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 9,

Fig. 11

Section along A - A in Fig. 9,

Fig. 12

a data carrier according to the invention in supervision,

Fig. 13

an arrangement of background printing and colored area.

1 shows schematically as a data carrier a banknote 1 with an inventive one Security element 2. The security element according to the invention 2 consists of a background print 4, a halftone blind embossing 3 and colored areas 5, which contain register for halftone blind embossing 3 are arranged. In order to increase the security against counterfeiting of banknote 1, the motif of halftone blind embossing 3 is repeated several times Techniques repeated on the banknote. In the example shown the motif is, for example, a steel engraving portrait 13 and a watermark 14 again provided in banknote 1.

The security element 2 according to the invention has the in the example shown Form of a coin in which the halftone blind embossing 3 is preferred in one metallic background print 4 is present. This underground print 4 is overlapped by a colored print 5, which is multicolored can be and / or can have patterns, characters or the like. in the The example shown is the colored areas 5 as a full-surface border the halftone blind embossing 3 shown in certain areas with the Characters "X Y Z" and "medal" are combined. These colored areas 5 can, depending on the engraving depth of the printing plate, be designed such that they produce a tactile margin in the printed image.

However, the colored areas can also have any other shape. For example, they can consist of guilloche patterns. The colored areas 5 can also be colored on the background print 4 be coordinated so that the edge of the background print 4 for the viewer "dissolves", that is, is hidden.

For the production of the security element 2 according to the invention, the Provide the data carrier with the background print 4 in a first step. The full surface print is preferably screen printed created using a gold or silver colored metal pigment paint. Then in the area of the background print 4 in one Step in intaglio printing the halftone blind embossing 3 as well the colored areas 5 generated. That is, the associated intaglio printing plate has both an engraving corresponding to the colored areas 5 and one Engraving corresponding to the halftone blind embossing 3. For the printing process However, only the engraving areas, the colored areas 5 generate, filled with color. This will during the printing process the data carrier 1 in the area of the colored areas 5, as in intaglio printing usual, embossed and provided with color. In the field of Halftone blind embossing, however, is only embossed on the data carrier. by virtue of the high contact pressure with which the data carrier 1 enters the engraving areas the steel intaglio printing plate is pressed, shows the data carrier 1 also a recognizable embossing on the back.

This situation is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a section along AA is through the security element 2 according to the invention is shown. You can see that the data carrier 1 or the background print 4 in the area of the halftone blind embossing 3 is only embossed during the intaglio printing process. Since the background print 4 in a separate operation on the disk 1 can be applied between the background print 4 and the halftone blind embossing or the colored areas 5 registration inaccuracies occur. For this reason, the colored areas 5 preferably arranged to overlap with the background print 4 to obscure such inaccuracies in registration, as shown in FIG. 2. As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the background print 4 is in the left Area covered by the colored areas 5 much less than On the right side. However, since the colored areas 5 are in register Halftone blind embossing 3 are arranged, appears to the viewer Halftone blind embossing centered in the area of the background print 4 to be.

For the viewer, the optical effect of the three-dimensional relief becomes the halftone blind embossing due to the different light / shadow effects, especially when using shiny metallic background prints strengthened.

Using the technology of exact registration of those printed in intaglio printing and embossed areas can be motifs from printed and embossed parts be put together. For example, the trunk and the Branches of a tree are embossed blind and the leaves or the tree crown with Printing ink can be printed. For texts or other regularly arranged Structures is also a precise, line-by-line arrangement of alternately printed and embossed symbols or picture elements conceivable.

3 to 6 show different embodiments of the security element 2 under supervision. In Fig. 3 the background print 4 has a radially resolved edge. The colored areas 5 form one here full circular outline, which is as concentric as possible with the background print 4 is printed, and the inner edge in the form of for Rays pointing towards the center of the circle is resolved. By different Frequencies of interlocking rays of background printing and the colored area printed in intaglio printing becomes an optical obscuration of register tolerances between these two prints.

Fig. 4 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 only insofar as the border 5 does not cover the entire circumference of the covers the radial edge of the background print 4, but only is present in some areas.

5 shows in principle another embodiment of the security element 2, in which at least parts of the halftone blind embossing brought up to the colored areas 5 in register and in the form of Recesses in the colored areas 5 are continued. The schematic In this example, the indicated halftone blind embossing is made up of the differently hatched or shaded areas 6, 7, 8 together. The elements 7 of the halftone blind embossing form a crosshair and are sufficient up to the colored border 5. The embossed crosshair from the Embossed elements 7 are in shape in the colored outline 5 of recesses 9 continued. This exact register between the embossed Elements 7 and the recesses 9 is only due to the simultaneous Creation of the embossing and the colored border 5 in one operation possible with an intaglio printing plate. Possible attempts at forgery, in which the embossing of areas 6, 7, 8 and the colored areas 5 can be generated independently of each other, can not contain such register be arranged to each other. Such register shifts are, however visually easy to spot, making counterfeits easy from real Documents can be distinguished.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the principle shown in FIG. 5. The halftone blind embossing 3 represents a bird with a in this example Branch represents one end of the branch here by an embossing element 7 formed that reaches up to the colored border 5 and there as a negative image or recess 9 in the printed area 5 is continued. The same applies to the bird's tail feathers. These are also called embossing elements 7 brought up to the colored areas 5 and there in the form of Cutouts 9 continued.

In Fig. 7, a halftone image is shown, the data for producing a Intaglio printing plate according to the invention can be used. The Halftone was created based on a three-dimensional template, with darker grayscale areas that can be assigned in the later embossing should appear more spatially. The different Grayscale of this halftone picture are different engraving depths assigned, and this data to a milling machine, e.g. CNC (Computer Numeric Control) milling machine passed the Intaglio printing plate engraved according to this information.

FIG. 8 shows the engraving depth profile along a line A - A in FIG. 7. The greatest engraving depths can be found in the area of the tip of the nose and in the area of the cervical collar, which are shown in FIG. 7 as deep black areas are. All halftones between these areas have one lower engraving depth.

9 schematically shows a bank note 1 as a data carrier, with another Embodiment of the security element 2 according to the invention.

The security element 2 according to the invention consists of a through Background printing 4 shown in black dots in the form of an oval Plaque and one placed on the background print 4 as centrally as possible Halftone blind embossing 3, which represents the number "6". The background print 4 is preferably given a metallic one, particularly preferably a gold or silver metallic look to give the viewer the impression to convey a coin.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged section of the security element shown in FIG. 9 2, the section line A - A and that below this line lower third of the number "6" is shown.

The halftone blind embossing 3 is exposed in this exemplary embodiment three different embossing levels 10, 11 and 12 put together by stair-like steps can be implemented in the embossed image. Of course more than three different embossing levels can be incorporated. The white areas 10 shown in FIG. 10 represent areas that are not or are only slightly embossed, the light gray areas 11 represent areas which are embossed more strongly than the areas 10, and the dark gray Areas 12 have the strongest embossing. By smoothing the disk material, such as. Paper or the background print is created in the areas 10 which are not or only very slightly engraved, have a special sheen. In contrast, areas 11 and 12 give a matte impression.

Fig. 11 shows schematically the data carrier 1 with background imprint 4 in Cross section along the line A - A, as shown in Fig. 10. They are clear different embossing levels 10, 11 and 12 can be seen. The areas 10 are heavily smoothed or unembossed areas that occur during the embossing process with the non-engraved areas of the printing plate. The Areas 11 and 12 show a medium or strong embossing of the data carrier and become correspondingly more moderate with the printing plate areas or large engraving depth.

The differentiated gradation of several embossing levels in one embossing pattern and the various possible combinations of these levels lead to one complex security element with high recognition value.

A data carrier 1 according to the invention is shown again in FIG. 12, for example a banknote with a security element 2 is shown. The background print 4 shown in dotted lines was colored gold creates a glossy surface in indirect high pressure. Then was the halftone blind embossing 2 simultaneously with the colored area 5 during an intaglio printing passage, which makes an absolutely register-accurate Arrangement of the blind embossing to the color print framing them is guaranteed. The colored area 5 has fine guilloche structures, that are difficult to reproduce. Around the colored area graphically to be able to better integrate into his environment and the transition between to make the background print and the color print softer, the color print preferably has a "loosened" outer and inner area, the fine, twisted lines in a positive representation includes that cause only a small area coverage. The central area on the other hand has a high area coverage and is fine, for example Lines drawn in negative.

The advantage of this configuration and arrangement is illustrated by FIG. 13, in which the positioning of the colored area 5 for background printing 4 is shown in the manner of an exploded drawing. The Halftone blind embossing is not shown in this illustration. The colored area 5 is arranged above the background print 4 that the central area of the color print 5 with the high area coverage lies over the edge of the background print 4. Because the background print 4 and the color print 5 in different printing techniques and in independent passages are printed, result inevitably register tolerances of several millimeters can and the appearance of the provided with the security element Document would significantly disrupt. These inaccuracies in positioning of the two prints are due to the configuration shown in Fig. 13 and arrangement balanced and effectively hidden.

Claims (35)

1. A data carrier (1), such as a bank note, ID card or the like, having a security element (2) that is at least visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, characterized in that the embossing is a halftone blind embossing (3) executed by inkless intaglio printing.
2. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (3) represents alphanumeric characters, graphic elements or halftone images, preferably a portrait.
3. A data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one colored area (5) executed by intaglio printing is present in exact register in addition to the halftone blind embossing (3), and the halftone blind embossing (3) and the colored area (5) are spaced apart.
4. A data carrier according to claim 3, characterized in that the distance between the halftone blind embossing (3) and the colored area or areas is at least 1 millimeter, preferably 3 millimeters.
5. A data carrier according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (7) and the colored area (5) are directly adjacent.
6. A data carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (7) adjoining the colored areas (5) is continued at least partly as a gap (9) into the colored areas (5).
7. A data carrier according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (3) is disposed centrally relative to the colored area (5).
8. A data carrier according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the colored area (5) is executed as a border around the halftone blind embossing (3).
9. A data carrier according to any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the colored area constitutes guilloches.
10. A data carrier according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (3) is applied completely to a background print (4) not executed by intaglio printing.
11. A data carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the background print (4) overlaps at least in a partial area with the colored area (5)
12. A data carrier according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the background print (4) is printed by screen printing, offset or indirect letterpress.
13. A data carrier according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the background print (4) is an effect layer.
14. A data carrier according to claim 13, characterized in that the effect layer consists of metal, a metallic ink or an ink containing interference-layer pigments.
15. A data carrier according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the effect layer is bronze-, gold- or silver-colored.
16. A data carrier according to any of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the background print (4) and the colored area (5) are color coordinated with each other, preferably having the same color tone.
17. A data carrier according to any of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the colored area (5) has an inner area with high coverage and an inner and/or outer area with lower coverage, and the area with high coverage is disposed over the edge of the background print (4).
18. A data carrier according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the motif of the halftone blind embossing (3) is provided on the data carrier several times and by different techniques.
19. A data carrier according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a watermark (14) and a further printed additional element are present in addition to the halftone blind embossing (3), the watermark (14), the additional element and the halftone blind embossing (3) having the same motif.
20. A data carrier according to claim 19, characterized in that the additional element (13) is printed by intaglio printing.
21. A data carrier according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing (3) has partial areas with different roughness that cause a visually distinguishable reflection of light.
22. A data carrier according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing has substructures superimposed thereon at least in partial areas that influence its visual appearance and have a different orientation in individual partial areas.
23. A method for producing a data carrier having a security element comprising the following steps:

    a) providing a data carrier material,

    b) producing an intaglio printing plate whereby a three-dimensional relief is engraved into the plate surface, and

    c) blind-embossing the data carrier material with the intaglio printing plate produced in step b).
24. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that the three-dimensional relief represents alphanumeric characters, graphic elements or halftone images, preferably a portrait.
25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that in step b) at least one further engraved area is engraved into the plate surface in addition to the three-dimensional relief, being disposed in exact register with the three-dimensional relief and filled with ink, and then in step c) the ink is transferred from the further engraved area to the data carrier material simultaneously with the halftone blind embossing.
26. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the halftone blind embossing is disposed centrally relative to the ink-carrying engraved area.
27. A method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the colored areas are executed as a border around the blind embossing.
28. A method according to either of claims 26 and 27, characterized in that the colored areas constitute guilloches.
29. A method according to any of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that after step a) a background print not executed by intaglio printing is applied to the data carrier material and in step c) the blind embossing is applied completely in the area of the background print.
30. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the background print is printed by screen printing, indirect letterpress or offset.
31. A method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the colored areas overlap the background print at least in a partial area.
32. A method according to any of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the colored area is executed so as to have a central area with high coverage and an inner and/or outer area with lower coverage, and the area with high coverage is disposed over the edge of the background print.
33. An intaglio printing plate for producing a halftone blind embossing (3) with at least one engraved area in the printing plate surface, characterized in that the engraved area has a three-dimensionally engraved relief with a continuous engraving depth pattern.
34. An intaglio printing plate according to claim 33, characterized in that the engraving has partial areas with different roughness.
35. An intaglio printing plate according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the three-dimensional depth profile has substructures superimposed thereon at least in partial areas that have a different orientation in individual partial areas.

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