Method for producing a valuable document and valuable document

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a security document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card, or the like, wherein a substrate body (2) having a front (3) and a back (4) is provided as a web element, a film element (8) is provided as a web element, and the film element (8) is pressed against the front (3) of the substrate body (2) in a roll-to-roll process, wherein the film element (8) partially or completely covers the substrate body (2) and is laminated to the substrate body (2). A digital print layer (6) with an ink (10) is printed onto the front (3) of the substrate body (2), and the digital print layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8) in the lamination step.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a value document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card or the like, wherein a substrate body having a front and a back is provided as a web element, a film element is provided as a web element, and the film element is pressed against the front of the substrate body in a roll process, wherein the film element partially or completely covers the substrate body and is laminated to the substrate body.

[0002] Such a process is known from WO 02 / 18151 A1. There, a printed image is printed onto a film element ("cover sheet") and then laminated to a substrate body.

[0003] In conventional digital printing processes, a print image is transferred directly from a file in a control unit to a printing press. Therefore, no static printing form is required in digital printing. Types of digital printing processes include electrophotography, laser printing, and inkjet printing. What all types have in common is that the print image is transferred using low mechanical pressure or, for example, in inkjet printing, even without contact (non-impact printing).

[0004] Digital printing solutions are particularly well-known, involving the following printing steps on a printed sheet: a laser exposure unit writes a print image onto a photo exposure cylinder, where an electrostatic charge is initially created. The electrically charged liquid ink is fed to the photo exposure cylinder via inking rollers and inks the exposed areas. The then visible print image is transferred to a rubber blanket cylinder and is completely transferred to the printing substrate, which is mounted on an impression cylinder. There, it dries and solidifies immediately. After all inks have been applied, the printed sheet is ready for further processing. However, the durability of this printing process is problematic for security printing.

[0005] Dry toner processes are also known, in which a liquid toner consisting of plastic (PET) particles and a dye is thermally fixed. However, this process is also unlikely to achieve the durability required for banknotes.

[0006] A recurring challenge is increasing the forgery security of a security document. In practice, this is primarily achieved through complex combinations of printing processes. These complex printing processes require many separate work steps during production on a single sheet, which negatively impacts the cost-effectiveness of the process.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for producing a value document and a value document which improves the durability of the printed image and is at the same time more economically attractive than previously known solutions.

[0008] The invention is defined in independent claims 1 and 10. The dependent claims relate to preferred developments.

[0009] A method for producing a value document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card, or the like, is provided. In the method, a substrate body having a front and a back side is provided as a web element.

[0010] Likewise, a film element is provided as a web element and the film element is pressed against the front side of the substrate body in a rolling process, wherein the film element at least partially covers the substrate body and is laminated to the substrate body.

[0011] The substrate body is not designed as a printed sheet, but as a web element. The substrate body is therefore a film web that is pulled over rollers in a machine as a single web element and processed step by step – one work step follows the next on the same film web. The individual valuable documents are only separated from the film web in the final work step. The film element is also designed as a web element in a similar way.

[0012] Polymer substrates, such as PET substrates, paper substrates, or combined paper and polymer substrates, can be used as the substrate body. The film element is applied to the substrate body in such a way that it at least partially covers the substrate body – the film element can therefore be applied to the entire surface of the substrate body, but it can also be applied in such a way that it does not cover the entire width of the substrate body (for example, as a strip). The film element consists of PP, PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, PA, PC, POPP, PVC, PU, ​​polyurethane acrylates, cellophane, UV-crosslinked lacquer layers (radically crosslinking or cationically crosslinking), or natural bipolymers. Of course, the film element can also be a mixture of one or more of the aforementioned polymers. The film element is preferably transparent or translucent.The film element has a thickness of 2 µm to 40 µm, preferably of 2 µm to 12 µm, particularly preferably of 2 µm to 6 µm.

[0013] Before the foil element is laminated to the substrate body, a digital printing layer with an ink is applied to the front of the substrate body, so that the digital printing layer is embedded between the substrate body and the foil element in the subsequent lamination step. The inks used 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-curing inks. The electrically charged liquid inks mentioned above are particularly preferred.

[0014] The film element is laminated to the substrate body in a roll-fed process in a single lamination step. So-called film lamination processes are possible, specifically pressure lamination, gap lamination, or air lamination. Preferably, the film element can be heated before being applied to the substrate body, for example, with a hot air blower and / or pressure can be applied – for example, in a thermal lamination process. In the thermal lamination process, no adhesive is required for lamination. However, a wet adhesive (wet lamination process) or a dry adhesive (dry lamination process) can also be used to laminate the substrate body and film element.

[0015] Particularly preferably, an additional digital printing layer is printed onto the back of the substrate body using the ink. Then, another film element is provided as a web element and pressed against the back of the substrate body using a roll process. The additional film element is laminated to the substrate body, so that the additional digital printing layer is embedded between the substrate body and the additional film element. This allows both sides of the substrate body to be printed and laminated in a single, continuous process—all process steps follow one another directly on a film web.

[0016] The method according to the invention relates to the production of a value document directly at the substrate manufacturer. In contrast to known printing solutions in which, as described above, a printed sheet is printed using different printing processes, the value document is produced according to the invention directly using a roll-fed process; i.e. the digital printing layer is printed directly onto the substrate body, which is designed as a web element - i.e., a roll product. The film element is also provided and laminated using a roll-fed process as a web element, i.e., as a roll product. All process steps take place using a roll-fed process, so that all process steps can be performed in a single machine and in directly consecutive work steps. This reduces the manufacturing effort, thus reducing costs, and therefore makes the process more economically attractive than previously known processes.

[0017] The substrate is printed with the digital printing layer using digital printing, for example, inkjet printing or liquid toner processes. Both standard inks and special-effect inks are possible. A possible special-effect ink, for example, could be an OVI (optically variable ink)-like liquid toner. It preferably consists of a carrier fluid containing resin elements in which the pigments are embedded, thus representing an electrically charged liquid ink.

[0018] The digital printing technology used also offers advantageous customization options, as digital printing allows each individual security document on the film web to be individually designed using a roll-fed process. For example, each security document on the film web can contain a slightly different grid that acts as a digital watermark—2D barcodes are also possible. Different motifs are also possible; even the numbering could be applied in the first printing step. Particularly preferred is the digital printing layer with a graphic coding that luminesces when illuminated with UV radiation and is transparent throughout the visible spectral range.

[0019] After printing in the roll-fed process, the substrate body is laminated with the foil element on it. This significantly increases the durability of the printed image and noticeably extends the circulation period of the banknote. Sensitive features such as thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic, or magnetochromic features are also easier to implement within the composite of foil element, digital printing layer, and substrate body, as the required durability is achieved through the subsequent lamination. This process can also be used to print thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic, or magnetochromic features using the ink as a digital printing layer.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the film element is embossed in a roll-fed process after the laminating step, creating a relief structure on the front side that is not caused by an ink layer, in order to be able to carry out the embossing on the same film web in a roll-fed process. In order to still deliver the familiar haptic properties of valuable documents, the laminated substrate body is provided with appropriate microstructures using embossing rollers - a relief structure is created on the front side. Preferably, a final matting of the film element can be carried out by this embossing to prevent a greasy impression and to ensure so-called BPS capability (in a BPS system, the authenticity and circulation stability of valuable documents is checked). Preferably, the embossing produces the same or a similar haptic (not optical) impression as gravure printing, which is not actually carried out.Particularly preferably, the digital printing layer is applied using a raster print. Precise registration of the embossing with the areas printed with the digital printing layer is possible. The embossing step can be performed on the same machine on the same film web using a roll process as the previously explained process steps, which further reduces production costs and thus further improves the cost-effectiveness of the process.

[0021] Preferably, the film element is at least partially printed with an ink-receiving layer after the lamination step. This printing step is particularly preferably carried out using a roll-fed process—i.e., on the same film web in the same machine, which in turn saves manufacturing costs. The ink-receiving layer can be applied to the entire surface of the security document or only partially.

[0022] A value document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card, or the like, is also provided. The value document comprises a substrate body having a front and a back, and a film element that at least partially covers the substrate body and is laminated in a roll-fed process at least against the front of the substrate body.

[0023] Furthermore, the value document comprises a digital printing layer printed with an ink onto the front side of the substrate body, wherein the digital printing layer is embedded between the substrate body and the foil element. It is understood that the value document can be modified in the same ways as the method for producing a value document already described.

[0024] The following examples of value documents can be produced using the method according to the invention for producing a value document: In a first example, a so-called hybrid value document is created. A multi-color print is applied as a digital print layer to a paper roll as the substrate. The multi-color print features fluorescence, optically variable effect pigments, a 2D barcode, and / or individual designs – the printed elements can vary from value document to value document on the paper roll. Finally, lamination takes place, thus providing the increased and necessary protection for the printed elements.This process example enables cost-effective production with short setup times, less material required, and lower hourly rates, making it suitable for small runs such as commemorative notes, numbering, or cost-effective renumbering when continuous / gapless numbering is required. At least one of the printing processes used is digital printing—i.e., the printing of the digital printing layer (in particular, the application of numbering). Digital printing is particularly preferred for producing the entire print image of each individual security document on the paper roll.

[0025] For example, if a security document made from a paper substrate is laminated with a polymer film, printing on roll stock is a cost-effective option for producing banknotes with high circulation stability (e.g., they have low circulation values ​​with low security) and / or it also makes it possible to produce small runs cost-effectively, which might not be profitable for the banknote printer. The hybrid film, i.e., the security document, can also be at least partially printed with a transparent / translucent ink-receiving layer, e.g., to achieve a matte effect or a more appealing feel.

[0026] In a second example, a hybrid or polymer value document is provided. As in the first example, a multi-color print is applied as a digital printing layer onto a roll-shaped substrate body. The multi-color print features fluorescence, optically variable effect pigments, a 2D barcode, and / or customized designs. At least one of the printing processes used is digital printing, with which, in particular, a numbering is applied. Finally, lamination takes place, in which the foil element is applied to the digital printing layer, thus ensuring increased and necessary protection for the printing elements. Subsequent embossing is performed using embossing rollers. The haptic structures are thus created by depressions embossed into the substrate body – and not by a structured ink layer, as with embroidery intaglio printing, which is explicitly not used.This embossing adds a highly perceptible tactile quality and can be used as a separate security element. Even after lamination of the substrate body with the foil element, the front side can be printed again, for example, at least partially with an ink-receiving layer.

[0027] In a third example, a polymer security document is produced. Digital printing on polymer films is a sensible option, especially for short runs of security documents, such as banknotes for island states, especially since an ink-receiving layer is printed at the same time as the digital printing process. Polymer films here also include film composites. In example 3, the digital print is embedded between film layers and is therefore extremely durable. Multi-layer composites made of different polymer materials can be used (e.g., PET and BOPP); the outer film may only serve as a protective layer. Films pretreated with an ink-receiving layer can also be used and are available at reasonable prices. Duplex or triplex composites are conceivable. A patch can also be integrated between the films. Finally, this printed and laminated roll material can optionally be embossed.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also disclose features essential to the invention. These exemplary embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. For example, a description of an embodiment with a large number of elements or components should not be interpreted to mean that all of these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, other embodiments may also contain alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components of different exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another unless otherwise stated. Modifications and variations described for one of the exemplary embodiments may also be applicable to other exemplary embodiments.The figures show: . Fig. 1 a flow diagram of a method for producing a value document, Fig. 2 a value document in sectional view, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an effect color.

[0029] Fig. 1shows a flow diagram of a method for producing a value document 1. In a first step S1, a substrate body 2, which has 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 with an ink 10 is printed onto the front side 3 of the substrate body 2. In a third step S3, which can optionally also take place before the second step S2, a film element 8 is provided as a web element. Subsequently, in a fourth step S4, the film element 8 is pressed against the front side 3 of the substrate body 2. In this process, the film element 8 is laminated to the substrate body 2, with the digital printing layer 6 being embedded between the substrate body 2 and the film element 8. The film element 8 covers the substrate body 2 completely or only partially, for example in the form of a strip.In an optional fifth step S5, the value document 1 can be embossed, creating a relief structure on the front side 3. Alternatively, the value document 1 can also be partially or fully printed with an ink-receiving layer in the fifth step S5. Embossing and printing with the ink-receiving layer can also both be performed consecutively on the same value document 1.

[0030] All process steps S1 to S5 are performed in a roll-fed process. This means that the substrate body 2 is, for example, unrolled from a roll and guided through a machine as a web element, and processed consecutively in steps S1 to S5 without the need to retool the machine.

[0031] The roll process thus proves to be particularly economical because it significantly reduces the manufacturing effort, and the film element 8 applied as a lamination in the fourth step S4 improves the durability of the digital printing layer 6.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a value document 1, which is processed using the procedure, the flow chart of which is shown in Fig. 1 is shown. However, the fifth step S5 in the production process was omitted. The value document comprises the substrate body 2, the digital layer 6, and the film element 8, wherein the substrate body 2 has a front side 3 and a back side 4, and the digital printing layer 6 is printed on the front side 3. It is coated with the film element 8 and is thus protected from external influences and particularly resistant to circulation.

[0033] Fig. 3shows an ink 10 used in digital printing, with which the digital printing layer 6 is applied. It is an "electro ink," i.e., an electrically charged liquid ink with a liquid toner containing electrically charged particles. Particles 15 ("electro ink particles") are located in a carrier liquid 12, in which pigments 16 are surrounded by a resin element 14. The particles 15 have particle sizes of 1 µm to 2 µm. The electrically charged liquid ink (ink 10) is used in digital printing and is not sufficiently durable to be suitable for banknote printing. However, due to the lamination of the digital printing layer 6 in the fourth step S4, the durability of the value document 1 in circulation is improved, so that this ink 10 is also made suitable for banknote printing. Due to the lamination with the film element 8, the digital printing layer 6 can no longer detach from the value document 1 in circulation. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Value document 2Substrate body 3Front side 4Back side 6Digital printing layer 8Foil element 10Ink 12Carrier fluid 14Resin 16Effect pigment S1First step S2Second step S3Third step S4Fourth step S5Fifth step

Claims

1. A method for producing a value document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identity card or the like, wherein - a substrate body (2) having a front side (3) and a back 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 against the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) in a roll process, wherein the film element (8) partially or completely covers the substrate body (2) and is laminated to the substrate body (2), characterized in that - a digital printing layer (6) is printed with an ink (10) onto the front side (3) of the substrate body (2), and - the digital printing layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8) in the laminating step.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe film element (8) is embossed in a roll process after the laminating step, whereby a relief structure is produced on the front side.

3. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the film element (8) has a thickness of 2 µm to 40 µm, preferably of 2 µm to 12 µm, particularly preferably of 2 µm to 6 µm.

4. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the ink (10) is a UV-curing ink, or the ink is a solvent-based or water-based ink.

5. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the digital printing layer (6) has a graphic coding which luminesces when illuminated with radiation from the UV range and is transparent in the entire visible spectral range.

6. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in thata wet laminating process, a dry laminating process or a thermal laminating process is used to laminate the substrate body (2) with the film element (8).

7. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the digital printing layer (6) is applied as a raster print.

8. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the film element (8) is partially or completely printed with an ink-receiving layer after the laminating step in the roll process.

9. Method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that thermochromic, photochromic, piezochromic or magnetochromic effect pigments (16) are applied to the front side (3) before the laminating step.

10. A value document, such as a banknote, a cheque, a credit or other payment card, an identity card 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 laminated against the front side (3) of the substrate body (2) in a roll process, characterized in that - a digital printing layer (6) is printed with an ink (10) onto the front side (3) of the substrate body (2), and - the digital printing layer (6) is embedded between the substrate body (2) and the film element (8).

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