Method for producing a value document and value document

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing value documents such as banknotes, checks, credit cards or other payment cards, certificates, in which a substrate body (2) having a front side (3) and a rear side (4) is provided as a web element, a film element (8) is provided as a web element, and the film element (8) is pressed on the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) during a rolling process, the membrane element (8) partially or completely covers the substrate body and adheres to the substrate body (2). A digital printing layer (6) is printed on the front face (3) of the substrate body (2) with ink (10), and the digital printing layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8) in a bonding step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing valuable documents such as banknotes, checks, credit cards or other payment cards, certificates, etc., wherein a substrate body having a front side and a back side is provided as a web element, a film element is provided as the web element, and the film element is pressed onto the front side of the substrate body during a rolling process, wherein the film element partially or completely covers the substrate body and is bonded to the substrate body. Background Art

[0002] Such a method is known from patent specification WO 02 / 18151 A1. In this case, a printed image is printed on a film element ("cover") and then laminated with a substrate body.

[0003] In known digital printing methods, the print image is transferred directly from a file in a control unit to the printing press. Digital printing methods therefore do not require a static printing die. Digital printing methods include types such as electrophotography, laser printing or inkjet printing. All types have in common that the print image is transferred with little mechanical pressure or, for example, even without contact in inkjet printing (non-impact printing).

[0004] It is particularly known that digital printing solutions have the following printing steps on the printed page: a laser light source writes the printed image onto an exposure drum, on which an electrostatic charge image is first generated. The charged liquid pigment is fed into the exposure drum via a pigment application roller and colors the exposed locations. The visible printed image then arrives on the rubber cloth cylinder and is completely transferred to the substrate mounted on the impression cylinder. The printed image dries and solidifies there immediately. After all the pigment has been applied, the printed page is ready for further processing. However, the durability of this printing process is problematic for security printing.

[0005] Likewise known is the dry colorant process, in which a liquid colorant consisting of plastic (PET) particles and pigment is thermally fixed. However, even with this process, it is believed that the required durability of banknotes cannot be achieved.

[0006] The technical problem that has always existed is to increase the security of valuable documents against forgery. In practice, this is achieved in particular by a complex combination of printing processes. These complex printing processes require a number of individual work steps to be completed on the printed page during production, which has a negative impact on the economic viability of the process. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a value document and a value document which improve the durability of the printed image and are more economically attractive than previously known solutions.

[0008] A method for producing valuable documents such as banknotes, checks, credit cards or other payment cards, ID cards, etc. is provided. In the method, a substrate body having a front side and a back side is provided as a web element. A film element is also provided as a web element and is pressed onto the front side of the substrate body in a rolling process, wherein the film element at least partially covers the substrate body and is bonded to the substrate body.

[0009] The substrate body is not designed as a printed sheet (Druckbogen (or printing sheet)), but as a web element (Bahnelement). The substrate body is therefore a film web, which is drawn on rollers in the machine as the only web element and is processed there step by step - one working step follows the next on the same film web - and only in the last working step are the individual value documents separated from the film web. The film element is also designed similarly as a web element.

[0010] A polymer substrate, such as a PET substrate, a paper substrate or a combination of a paper substrate and a polymer substrate can be used as the substrate body. The film element is applied to the substrate body in such a way that the film element at least partially covers the substrate body - thus, the film element can be applied to the substrate body over the entire surface, but can also be applied to not cover the entire width of the substrate body (e.g., applied as a strip). The film element is composed of PP, PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, PA, PC, POPP, PVC, PU, ​​polyurethane acrylate, cellophane, UV crosslinked lacquer layer (free radical crosslinking or cationic crosslinking) or natural double polymer. The film element can naturally also be a mixture of one or more of the above polymers. The film element is preferably transparent or translucent. The film element has a thickness of 2 μm to 40 μm, preferably 2 μm to 12 μm, and particularly preferably 2 μm to 6 μm.

[0011] Before the film element is bonded to the substrate body, the digital printing layer is printed on the front side of the substrate body with ink, so that the digital printing layer is embedded between the substrate body and the film element in the subsequent bonding step. Inks for digital printing can be divided into three main categories: latex inks, solvent / eco-solvent inks (i.e. solvent-based or water-based inks) and UV-curable inks. The charged liquid pigments mentioned in the opening paragraph are particularly preferably used.

[0012] The membrane element is bonded to the substrate body in a bonding step during rolling. So-called membrane bonding processes, in particular pressure bonding processes, gap bonding processes or air bonding processes are conceivable. For example, in a thermal bonding process, the membrane element is preferably heated, for example by a hot air blower, and / or treated by pressure before being applied to the substrate body; in a thermal bonding process, no adhesive is required for bonding. However, it is also possible to use a wet adhesive (wet bonding process) or a dry adhesive (dry bonding process) to bond the substrate body and the membrane element.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the back side of the substrate body is printed with an additional digital print layer using ink. Subsequently, an additional film element is provided as a web element and pressed onto the back side of the substrate body in a rolling process, wherein the additional film element is bonded to the substrate body so that the additional digital print layer is embedded between the substrate body and the additional film element. This allows printing and bonding on both sides of the substrate body in a single continuous method - all method steps are directly connected to each other on a film web.

[0014] The method according to the invention involves the production of valuable documents directly at the substrate manufacturer. In contrast to known printing solutions, which, as described at the outset, print on printed pages by means of different printing processes, the production of valuable documents according to the invention takes place directly in a rolling process; that is, the digital print layer is printed directly on the substrate body, which is provided as a web element, i.e. forms a coil. The film element is also provided and bonded as a web element, i.e. as a coil, in the rolling process. All method steps are carried out in the rolling process, so that all method steps can be carried out in a single machine and in method steps that directly follow one another. This reduces the production effort and thus the costs, and makes the method more economically attractive than the methods known to date.

[0015] Printing the substrate body with a digital printing layer is achieved by a digital printing layer, for example inkjet printing (Ink-Jet, inkjet) or a liquid colorant. Standard pigments can be used here, but effect pigments can also be used. For example, liquid colorant pigments similar to OVI (optically variable ink) can be used as possible effect pigments. The liquid colorant pigment preferably consists of a carrier liquid containing a resin element, the pigment is embedded in the resin element and thus also forms a charged liquid pigment.

[0016] The digital printing technology used also offers advantageous possibilities for personalization, since digital printing enables the individual value documents to be individually designed on the film web during the rolling process. For example, each value document on the film web can contain a slightly different grid as a digital watermark - a 2D barcode is also possible. However, different visual objects are also possible, and the numbering can even be applied in the first printing step. The digitally printed layer particularly preferably has a graphic code, which preferably emits light when illuminated by radiation in the ultraviolet range and is transparent in the entire visible spectrum.

[0017] During the rolling process, after printing, the substrate body is bonded to the film element located thereon. This significantly increases the durability of the printed image and significantly prolongs the circulation time of the banknote. Sensitive features such as thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic or magnetochromic are also easier to implement in the composite material of film element, digital print layer and substrate body, because the required durability is achieved by bonding after printing. In the method, thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic or magnetochromic features can also be printed as digital print layers by ink.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the film element is embossed during rolling after the bonding step, wherein a relief structure is produced on the front side, which is not realized by a pigment layer, so that it can be embossed on the same film web during rolling. In order to still provide the known tactile feel of the valuable document, the bonded substrate body is provided with a corresponding microstructure by an embossing roller - a relief structure is produced on the front side. It is preferred that the film element can be finally matted by this embossing, so that no greasy shiny impression is produced, and the so-called BPS capability (in the BPS system, the authenticity and circulation durability of the valuable document are checked) is ensured. The embossing preferably provides a tactile (not visual) impression that is the same or similar to gravure printing, but gravure printing is not performed. It is particularly preferred to apply a digital printing layer in grid printing. The embossed portion can be aligned with the area printed with the digital printing layer in precise registration. As with the aforementioned method steps, the embossing step can be performed on the same film web during rolling in the same machine, which further reduces the cost of manufacturing and thus further improves the economy of the method.

[0019] Preferably, the film element is at least partially printed with a color receiving layer after the bonding step. This printing step is particularly preferably also carried out during the rolling process, i.e. in the same machine on the same film web, which again saves manufacturing costs. The color receiving layer can be applied over the entire surface, but can also be applied only partially to the value document.

[0020] Likewise provided are valuable documents such as banknotes, checks, credit or other payment cards, certificates, etc. The valuable document has a substrate body with a front side and a back side and a film element which at least partially covers the substrate body and is bonded at least to the front side of the substrate body during the rolling process.

[0021] Furthermore, the value document also has a digital print layer, which is printed with ink onto the front side of the substrate body, wherein the digital print layer is embedded between the substrate body and the film element. It goes without saying that the value document can be modified in the same manner as already described for the method for producing the value document.

[0022] The following examples of value documents can be produced by the method for producing value documents according to the invention:

[0023] In the first example, a so-called hybrid valuable document is produced. Multicolor printing is performed as a digital printing layer on a paper roll as a substrate body. The multicolor printing has fluorescent, optically variable effect pigments, 2D barcodes and / or personalized designs - the printed elements may differ from valuable document to valuable document on the paper roll. Finally, bonding is performed and thus an improved and necessary protection of the printed elements is achieved. This method example enables cost-effective production with short setup times, low material requirements and low hourly rates, so that the method is also suitable for low-print production, such as commemorative coins, numbering or cost-effective post-numbering when continuous / gapless numbering is required. At least one of the printing methods used here is digital printing - that is, printing a digital printing layer (especially applying numbering). Digital printing particularly preferably produces the entire printed image of each individual valuable document on the paper roll.

[0024] For example, if a value document consisting of a paper substrate body is bonded to a polymer film, then printing on a roll is a cost-effective option for producing banknotes with particularly high circulation stability (e.g., low circulation value and poor security) and / or can also be produced cost-effectively with low print runs that may not be worthwhile for a banknote printer. The hybrid film, i.e. the value document, can also be printed at least partially with a transparent / translucent color-receiving layer, for example to achieve a matte effect or a more attractive tactile feel.

[0025] In the second example, a mixed valuable document or a polymer valuable document is provided. As in the first example, multicolor printing is carried out as a digital printing layer on a roll-shaped substrate body. Multicolor printing has a barcode and / or personalized design of fluorescence, optically variable effect pigments, 2D. At least one printing method in the printing method used is digital printing, by which numbering is particularly applied. Finally, lamination is carried out, wherein the film element is applied on the digital printing layer, and thus the improved and necessary protection of the printed element is ensured. Then embossing is carried out by an embossing roller. Therefore, the tactile structure is produced by embossing the concave portion in the substrate body, rather than being produced by a structured pigment layer as in the gravure printing that is not specifically performed. This embossing portion supplements the easily perceptible tactile sensation and can be used as a separate security element. Even after the substrate body and the film element are laminated, the front side can also be printed again, for example, the color receiving layer is printed at least partially.

[0026] In the third example, polymer value documents are manufactured. Digital printing on polymer films is an advantageous option for value documents manufactured with low print runs, such as banknotes of island countries, especially because a color receiving layer is printed simultaneously in digital printing. Polymer films are also understood as film composites here. In Example 3, digital printing is embedded between film layers and is therefore very durable. Multilayer composites (such as PET and BOPP) composed of different polymer materials can be used; the outer film only plays a protective role when necessary. Films pretreated with a printing receiving layer can also be used and are reasonably priced. Double or triple composite materials can also be considered. Patches can also be integrated between the films. Finally, the printed and bonded coil can be optionally embossed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the embodiments, which also disclose features important to the present invention. These embodiments are for illustration only and should not be considered restrictive. For example, the description of an embodiment with multiple elements or components should not be interpreted as all of these elements or components being necessary for implementation. Instead, other embodiments may also include alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Unless otherwise specified, elements or components of different embodiments may be combined with each other. Modifications and variations described for one of the embodiments may also apply to other embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method for producing a value document,

[0029] Figure 2 A value document is shown in a sectional view,

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an effect pigment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for producing a valuable document is shown. In a first step S1, a substrate body 2 having a front side 3 and a back side 4 is provided as a web element. In a second step S2, a digital printing layer 6 is printed on the front side 3 of the substrate body 2 using ink 10. In a third step S3, which can optionally also be performed before the second step S2, a film element 8 is provided as a web element. Then, in a fourth step S4, the film element 8 is pressed onto the front side 3 of the substrate body 2. The film element 8 is bonded to the substrate body 2 here, wherein the digital printing layer 6 is embedded between the substrate body 2 and the film element 8. The film element 8 covers the substrate body 2 over the entire surface or only partially, for example in the form of a strip. In an optional fifth step S5, the valuable document 1 can be embossed, wherein a relief structure (or embossed structure) is generated on the front side 3. Alternatively, a color receiving layer can be printed on the valuable document 1 partially or over the entire surface in the fifth step S5. It is also possible to perform embossing and printing of a color receiving layer successively on the same valuable document 1.

[0032] All method steps S1 to S5 are carried out in a rolling process. This means that the substrate body 2 can be unwound from a roll, for example, and guided through the machine as a web element and processed in succession in steps S1 to S5 without the machine having to be reconfigured. The rolling process therefore proves to be particularly economical, since the production effort is greatly reduced, and the film element 8 applied as an adhesive in the fourth step S4 improves the durability of the digital print layer 6.

[0033] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 . However, the fifth step S5 is omitted in the production. The valuable document has a substrate body 2, a digital layer 6 and a film element 8, wherein the substrate body 2 has a front side 3 and a back side 4, and the digital print layer 6 is printed on the front side 3. The digital print layer is covered by the film element 8 and can therefore be protected from external influences and has a particularly good circulation durability.

[0034] Figure 3An ink 10 used in digital printing, by means of which a digital printing layer 6 is applied, is shown. This is an "electronic ink", i.e. a charged liquid pigment having a liquid colorant containing charged particles. Particles 15 ("electronic ink particles") are present in a carrier liquid 12, wherein a pigment 16 is surrounded by a resin element 14. The particle size of the particles 15 is 1 μm to 2 μm. The charged liquid pigment (ink 10) used in digital printing is not very durable and is therefore not suitable for banknote printing, but since the digital printing layer 6 is bonded in the fourth step S4, the durability of the valuable document 1 in circulation is increased, so that the ink 10 can also be used for banknote printing - due to the bonding to the film element 8, the digital printing layer 6 will no longer fall off the valuable document 1 during circulation.

[0035] Reference numerals list

[0036] 1 Valuable documents

[0037] 2Substrate body

[0038] 3 Positive

[0039] 4 Back

[0040] 6 digital printing layers

[0041] 8. Membrane elements

[0042] 10. Ink

[0043] 12 Carrier

[0044] 14 Resin

[0045] 16 Effect Pigments

[0046] S1 First step

[0047] S2 Second step

[0048] S3 Step 3

[0049] S4 Step 4

[0050] S5 Step 5

Claims

1. A method for producing a valuable document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an ID card or the like. - providing a substrate body (2) having a front side (3) and a back side (4) as a web element, - providing a film element (8) as a web element, and The membrane element (8) is pressed onto the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) during the rolling process, wherein: The membrane element (8) partially or completely covers the substrate body (2) and is bonded to the substrate body (2). It is characterized in that - printing a digital printing layer (6) on the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) with ink (10), and The digital print layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8) during the bonding step.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After the bonding step, the film element (8) is embossed in a rolling process, wherein a relief structure is produced on the front side.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The membrane element (8) has a thickness of 2 μm to 40 μm, preferably 2 μm to 12 μm, particularly preferably 2 μm to 6 μm.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The ink (10) is a UV curable ink, or the ink is a solvent-based or water-based ink.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The digitally printed layer (6) has a graphic code which luminesces when illuminated by radiation in the ultraviolet range and is transparent in the entire visible spectrum.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The substrate body (2) and the membrane element (8) are bonded using a wet bonding process, a dry bonding process or a thermal bonding process.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The digital print layer (6) is applied as a raster print.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that After the bonding step, the film element (8) is partially or completely printed with a color receiving layer during rolling.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Before the bonding step, thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic or magnetochromic effect pigments (16) are applied to the front side (3).

10. A valuable document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit card or other payment card, an ID or the like, comprising: - a substrate body (2) having a front side (3) and a back side (4), and a film element (8) which partially or completely covers the substrate body (2) and is bonded to the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) during the rolling process, It is characterized in that - printing a digital printing layer (6) on the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) with ink (10), and - The digital printing layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8).

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