This is a specialized ink containing particles of a magnetic substance that can be read with a magnetic reader. This ink is commonly used for serialization and numbering purposes in the banking industry as well as an additional security pattern. The most common application is on the bottom portion of checks to facilitate processing and…
These inks often contain metallic pigments containing particles that mimic metals like aluminum or bronze. They are used as components of printing inks to simulate metallic or other highly reflective surfaces. Metallic ink is not a security ink in the strict sense, as it is freely available to any commercial printer; however, metallic ink is…
These are chemically different inks that are paired to appear identical under one lighting condition, but look markedly different under another lighting condition or when viewed through a filter, usually red. They are often used to embed a hidden design or shape behind another printed image. Metameric effects cannot be copied by four-color reproduction systems…
Similar to coin reactive inks, these inks are used to produce a transparent or white image on a substrate. Marking the printed area with a special felt tip pen can reveal this image. Pen reactive ink cannot be copied and is an easy way to verify a document’s authenticity. Application of the pen permanently marks…
These are pigmented inks which emit light when exposed to a light source of appropriate wavelength. The reactive glow decays or fades over time after the light source is removed, varying from seconds to hours.
These are colored or colorless inks that exhibit a visible, reversible color change when exposed to UV or bright white light source. When the light source is removed, the color gradually reverts to its original state over time. Because of its unique properties these cannot be reproduced by a scanner or copier.
These are colored or colorless inks that exhibit a visible, reversible color change or absence of color, in this case when exposed to heat, e.g. rubbing the surface or placing the substrate near a heat source. Once the source of heat is removed, the color gradually reverts to its original state. Because of its unique…
Visible or invisible inks containing pigments or dyes that appear when excited by exposure to a specific wavelength of light (like UV or IR) which then re-emit a new wavelength, usually in the visible range. Some UV inks are tailored to respond at specific wavelengths. UVA = 365nm (long wave) UVB = 315nm (medium wave)…
