Identification document with a recess for identification feature and method of manufacturing it

Abstract

A personalized identification document (1) comprising a substrate (5) and an identification feature (15). The substrate (5) comprises an outer surface portion (35) and a recess (10) formed within the outer surface portion (35). The identification feature (15) comprises an inkjet-printed colored image (16) and a varnish material (17). The inkjet-printed colored image (16) is positioned completely within the recess (10). The varnish material (17) is provided completely within the recess (10) and covers the inkjet-printed colored image (16) to the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to identification documents. In particular, the present disclosure relates to identification documents with a recess for an identification feature and a method of manufacturing such identification documents.Background

[0002] Identification documents are used on a daily basis for a number of different purposes. Identification documents are most commonly used to prove identity, to verify age, to access an asset (e.g., secure area, financial account, computing resource, etc.), to evidence driving privileges, to cash a check, and so on.

[0003] For the purposes of this disclosure, identification documents are broadly defined and may include, for example, credit cards, bank cards, phone cards, passports, driver's licenses, network access cards, employee badges, debit cards, security cards, visas, immigration documentation, national ID cards, citizenship cards, social security cards, security badges, certificates, identification cards, voter registration cards, police ID cards, border crossing cards, legal instruments or documentation, security clearance badges and cards, gun permits, gift certificates or cards, labels or product packaging, membership cards or badges, etc. Identification documents may sometimes be interchangeably referred to as "security documents", "ID documents", "credential documents", "security credentials", "photo- IDs", and "photo ID documents".

[0004] Identification documents are typically provided with indicia for identification (identification features) which are directed to personalize the identification document. Examples for identification features are a portrait, a date of birth, a signature etc. A portrait, especially a colored portrait, of the identification card's holder is a highly desirable identification feature. However, providing a colored portrait that is also durable and secured has proven to be a challenge.

[0005] It is known to provide a colored portrait or more generally a colored image using the technique of laser irradiation. This technology uses a substrate having a reactive layer. The reactive layer is provided as an intermediate layer of the substrate. The reactive layer is modified by laser irradiation to create a colored image which is embedded in the identification document. Because the colored image is not at the surface of the substrate of the identification document, it is difficult to modify or replace it. Further, its durability is high because the layers which are positioned above the reactive layer which has the colored image act as a barrier. However, the color range for a laser irradiated image is limited, and the equipment for this technique is expensive.

[0006] Another known technique to provide a colored image (colored portrait) is inkjet-printing of colored inks (e.g., Cyan Magenta and Yellow (CMY)). Currently, there are two main methods used for inkjet-printing of a colored image (colored portrait).

[0007] In a first method used for inkjet-printing of a colored image (colored portrait), the identification document has a substrate, the substrate is formed by multiple layers stacked on each other and the inkjet-printing of the colored image is done before the substrate is finished, i.e., before applying the last layer (layers) to the stack of layers to form the substrate. After having inkjet-printed the colored image on a layer of the semi-finished substrate, a further manufacturing step is required to finish the substrate, i.e., the step of putting one or more layers on top of the colored image.

[0008] In a second method used for inkjet-printing of a colored image (colored portrait), the identification document has a substrate, the substrate is formed by multiple layers stacked on each other and the inkjet-printing of the colored image is done after the manufacturing of the substrate has been finished. Accordingly, the colored image sits on top of the surface of the substrate. To protect the colored image, a varnish material (layer of varnish material) is provided on top of the colored image. To provide the varnish material the inkjet-printing technology may be used as well, wherein the "ink" in this case is replaced by the varnish. Other known methods to provide the varnish material on top of the inkjet-printed colored image are for example screen printing and laminate application. As this second method creates a raised area on the outer surface of the substrate of the identification document (a portion that protrudes from the outer surface of the substrate), the inkjet-printed colored image and the varnish material are prone to abrasion. Further, the inkjet-printed colored image and the varnish material provided on top of the colored image (which together form the raised area on the outer surface of the substrate) can be removed by scraping them off with a sharp object such as a blade. Therefore, an inkjet-printed colored image manufactured according to this method is prone to counterfeiting and modifications. Other problems are that the raised area may be perceived as an overprint by border control officers and that the raised area may hinder physical tests results (e.g., the raised area formed by the colored image and the varnish material is subject to more friction for a surface abrasion test).

[0009] The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of prior systems.Summary of the Disclosure

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a personalized identification document has a substrate and an identification feature. The substrate has an outer surface portion and a recess formed within the outer surface portion. The identification feature has an inkjet-printed colored image and a varnish material. The inkjet-printed colored image is positioned completely within the recess. The varnish material is provided completely within the recess and covers the inkjet-printed colored image to the outside.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a personalized identification document includes the step of providing a substrate having an outer surface portion and a recess formed within the outer surface portion. The method further includes the step of inkjet-printing a colored image in the recess such that the recess is partly filled by the inkjet-printed colored image and the step of applying a varnish material in the recess such that it covers the inkjet-printed colored image to the outside.

[0012] Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a known personalized identification document. Fig. 2 shows a top view of a personalized identification document according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the personalized identification document 1 of Fig. 2 along line A-A. Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a personalized identification document according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 show a sectional view of a portion of a personalized identification document according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method 100 of manufacturing a personalized identification document 1 according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0014] The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described herein are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure, enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to implement and use the present disclosure in many different environments and for many different applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be, and should not be considered as, a limiting description of the scope of protection. Rather, the scope of protection shall be defined by the appended claims.

[0015] The present disclosure is based at least in part on the realization that the security and durability of an identification document may be increased by positioning an identification feature in a recess formed within an outer surface portion of a substrate of the identification document. As the identification feature is provided in the recess, the identification feature does not form a raised area on the outer surface of the substrate. It has been realized that an identification feature which does not protrude out of the recess makes it difficult to remove or modify the identification feature. The identification feature in this case does not create a raised area (an edge) on which a blade could be used to remove it.

[0016] In addition, it has been realized that by providing an identification feature in a recess of a substrate, the durability of the identification document may be increased. Abrasion and friction created on the identification feature may be significantly reduced compared to an identification feature which sits on top of the outer surface of the substrate.

[0017] Also, it has been realized that an identification feature which is positioned in a recess and does not protrude out of the recess allows to reduce the perception that the identification feature is an overprint, which may cause border control officers to mistake a genuine document for a forgery.

[0018] In addition, it has been realized that the provision of an identification feature having an inkjet-printed colored image in a recess formed in an outer surface portion of a substrate of the identification document, a cost-effective manufacturing method for a secure image with a broad color range may be provided. Compared to an inkjet-printed colored image which is produced by inkjet-printing the image before the last layer of the substrate is applied on top of the image, the method according to the present disclosure does not require the additional manufacturing step of putting an additional layer on top of the colored image. Accordingly, by providing a recess on an outer surface portion of the substrate of the identification document, it is possible to produce the identification feature without interrupting the manufacturing process of the substrate, since the colored image is inkjet-printed after the manufacturing of the substrate has been finished. Compared to a colored image produced by the technique of laser irradiation, no provision of a reactive layer is required. In addition, the color range is broader compared to the color range for a laser irradiated image and the required equipment is less expensive compared to a laser irradiated colored image.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, a personalized identification document comprises a substrate having an outer surface portion and a recess which is formed within the outer surface portion. The substrate may for example be formed by a stack of multiple layers made of Polycarbonate (PC), PVC, Teslin or TPU and the recess may be embossed in the stack of layers. Obviously, any other technology well known to the skilled person for manufacturing a substrate of an identification document may be used as well.

[0020] In an outer surface portion of the substrate a recess (or in other words pit or depression) is formed. The recess may be any cut-out (hole) of any shape which provides enough space to accommodate the entire (complete) inkjet-printed colored image and the entire (complete) varnish material covering the inkjet-printed colored image. The recess may, for example, have a 3D-shape of a cuboid, a prism, a cylinder or a spherical cap. The recess forms an edge with the outer surface portion in which the recess is formed. As clear to the skilled person, this edge may be rounded, chamfered, stepped or the like.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the recess has a depth between 1 and 100 micrometers, preferably between 5 and 50 micrometers, even more preferably between 10 and 40 micrometers. Such dimensions have proven to be beneficial to provide sufficient space to accommodate the identification feature in the recess and to avoid unnecessary material costs. The depth of the recess is measured between an imaginary plane that completes (closes) the recess and the lowest point of the recess (in top-down direction of the recess). The imaginary plane is defined as the plane that extends through the edge which is formed by the recess and the outer surface portion in which the recess is formed. In case, the edge is rounded, chamfered, stepped or the like, the imaginary plane is defined as the plane that extends through the upper end of the edge, i.e., the end that is adjacent to the outer surface portion. In other words, the imaginary plane aligns with the area of the outer surface portion that is adjacent to and surrounding the recess such that the imaginary plane is flush with the outer surface portion and closes the recess. In particular, the depth of the recess may be measured according to the method described in ISO / IEC 10373-1 and ISO / IEC 7810:2019 by using a profilometer to record the profile of the substrate's outer surface in and outside the recess area.

[0022] The recess is positioned in the outer surface portion of the substrate such that it is entirely surrounded by the substrate. The substrate may, for example, have a cuboid shape with a frontside, a backside and four side surfaces. Each of the substrate's frontside and backside forms an edge with the side surfaces of the substrate. The recess may have a cuboid shape and may be arranged on the frontside (backside) such that it is distanced from the edge (formed by the substrate's frontside and the substrate's side surfaces) and fully surrounded by the substrate.

[0023] The substrate may have multiple recesses each of which is filled with an identification feature. For example, the substrate may have one or more recesses filled with an identification feature on its frontside and / or one or more recesses filled with an identification feature on its backside.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, the personalized identification document has an inkjet-printed colored image which is positioned completely within the recess and has varnish material which is provided completely within the recess. In the context of the present disclosure, a body (inkjet-printed colored image and / or varnish material) is positioned / provided "completely within" the recess if the body has no portions that protrude out of the recess (in top-down direction of the recess). In other words, a body (inkjet-printed colored image and / or varnish material) which is positioned / provided completely within the recess does not raise above an edge formed by the recess and the flat outer surface portion in which the recess is formed. The skilled person knows that an edge formed by the recess and the outer surface portion in which the recess is formed may be rounded or chamfered or the like. In this case, the upper end (the end which is adjacent to the outer surface portion) is considered as the edge's reference point and a body which is positioned / provided completely within the recess does not raise above the upper end of the edge (the edge's reference point). In still other words, a body which is positioned / provided completely within the recess does not raise above an imaginary plane that completes (closes) the recess. The imaginary plane is defined as the plane that extends through the edge formed by the recess and the outer surface portion in which the recess is formed. As explained above, in case the edge is rounded or chamfered or the like, the imaginary plane extends through the upper end of the edge which is considered to be the edge's reference point. Portions that are positioned on the imaginary plane or that are positioned on the level of the edge (upper end of the edge) formed by the recess and the outer surface portion, are considered as being positioned within the recess. It should be appreciated that manufacturing tolerances occur during production of the recess and the identification feature (inkjet-printed colored image and varnish material). Accordingly, a body (inkjet-printed colored image and / or varnish material) is still considered to be positioned / provided "completely within" the recess if the body protrudes out of the recess not more than 50 micrometers, preferably not more than 30 micrometers, more preferably not more than 20 micrometers, even more preferably not more than 10 micrometers. In particular, the protrusion of the body out of the recess may be measured according to the method described in ISO / IEC 10373-1 and ISO / IEC 7810:2019.

[0025] Providing a colored image by inkjet-printing is a well-known technology. Inkjet-printing creates a colored image by propelling (by targeted releasing of) droplets of ink onto a surface. This technology is advantageous due to the simple and low-cost equipment. Further, the color range which is achievable with this technology is broad. It should be appreciated that instead of inkjet-printing any other technology to produce a colored image by applying colored inks on a surface of a substrate may be used as well. The colored image may for example be a colored portrait. A colored portrait is a highly desirable identification feature in the market of identification documents. The colored image may be formed by multiple ink layers. Each ink layer may have a thickness less than 5 micrometers, preferably a thickness in the range of 1-3 micrometers.

[0026] The personalized identification document further has a varnish material (a layer of varnish material) which is positioned in the recess. The varnish material (fully) covers the inkjet-printed colored image to the outside. Thus, the varnish material protects the entire inkjet-printed colored image from external ambient conditions such as water or mechanical impacts. Depending of the shape of the inkjet-printed colored image, the varnish material is arranged on top of the inkjet-printed colored image and may also be arranged at the side of the inkjet-printed colored image. The inkjet-printed colored image is sandwiched by the substrate and the varnish material such that it is entirely protected from external ambient conditions. The varnish material may be formed by one or more layers and may vary in thickness. Varnish materials are well known by the skilled person. SICURA Jet Matt Varnish by the company Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA is an example of varnish material which may be used.

[0027] The varnish material (layer of varnish material) comprises an exposed surface portion. The exposed surface portion corresponds to that portion of the outer surface of the layer of varnish material that is (when positioned in the substrate) not adjacent to the substrate but is exposed to the outside. The layer of varnish material is positioned in the recess such that the exposed outer surface portion extends within the recess. As explained above, manufacturing tolerances occur during production of the recess and the identification feature. Accordingly, the exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is still considered to be positioned in the recess if it protrudes out of the recess for not more than 50 micrometers, preferably not more than 30 micrometers, more preferably not more than 20 micrometers, even more preferably not more than 10 micrometers. The protrusion out of the recess is measured as explained above.

[0028] The layer of varnish material may have a minimum thickness of 1 micrometer, preferably a minimum thickness of 5 micrometers to reliably protect the colored portrait against the outside.

[0029] The layer of varnish material may be provided by inkjet-printing. Other technologies to provide the layer of varnish material in the recess such as screen printing and laminate application may be used as well.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the identification feature covers only a part of the bottom surface of the recess. In other words, the recess is filled with the identification feature such that a part (a portion) of the bottom surface of the recess is exposed to the outside (are not covered with ink and / or varnish material). Such embodiment may be advantageous when the inkjet-printed colored image in top view is small compared to the recess. By not providing ink and / or varnish on the entire bottom surface, the amount of required material and thus costs may be reduced.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the identification feature completely fills the recess such that an exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is flat and flush with the outer surface portion of the substrate in which the recess if formed. This embodiment provides an identification document in which the exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is neither raised nor recessed with respect to the outer surface portion in which the recess is formed. The exposed outer surface portion in this embodiment substantially corresponds to the imaginary plane that completes (closes) the recess taking into account manufacturing tolerances as explained below. The imaginary plane extends through the edge (the upper end of the edge) which is formed by the recess and the outer surface portion. According to this embodiment, the exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is flush with the outer surface portion of the substrate that surrounds the recess. This means that the exposed outer surface portion seamlessly passes into the outer surface portion of the substrate that surrounds the recess. The exposed outer surface portion is flat which means that the exposed outer surface portion has a level surface without raised areas or recessed areas. In the context of the present disclosure, an exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is considered "flat" if all points along the exposed outer surface portion are located on or between two imaginary, perfect, and parallel planes which are spaced apart from each other for 50 micrometers, preferably 30 micrometers, more preferably 20 micrometers, even more preferably 10 micrometers. And, an exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material is considered "flat and flush" with the outer surface portion of the substrate that surrounds the recess, if all points along the exposed outer surface portion and the points along the edge formed by the recess and the outer surface portion are located on or between two imaginary, perfect, and parallel planes which are spaced apart from each other for 50 micrometers, preferably 30 micrometers, more preferably 20 micrometers, even more preferably 10 micrometers. In case the edge is rounded or chamfered or the like, the upper end (the end which is adjacent to the outer surface portion) is considered as the edge's reference point. In particular, the flatness and the flushness of the exposed outer surface portion of the layer of varnish material may be measured according to the method described in ISO / IEC 10373-1 and ISO / IEC 7810:2019.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the identification feature comprises a laser irradiated image. The laser irradiated image at least partly overlaps with the inkjet-printed colored image when viewed in top-down direction of the recess. The laser irradiated image may for example be provided on a bottom portion of the recess. The laser irradiated image may also be provided in the substrate such that a layer (transparent layer) is positioned between the laser irradiated image and the bottom portion of the recess. The laser irradiated image and the inkjet-printed colored image may be configured such that they complement each other and together form a combined image. The laser irradiated image may for example be used for white / grey / black areas of such combined image and the inkjet-printed colored image may be used for colored areas e.g., Cyan, Magenta and Yellow (CMY)) of that combined image.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a known personalized identification document 1. The personalized identification document 1 has a substrate 5. The substrate 5 has a frontside FS and a backside BS opposite of the frontside FS. The frontside FS comprises an outer surface portion 35. On top of the outer surface portion 35 an identification feature 15 is provided. The identification feature 15 has an inkjet-printed colored image 16 and a layer of varnish material 17 positioned on top of the inkjet-printed colored image 16. The identification feature 15 sits on top of the outer surface portion 35 such that it forms a raised area on the outer surface portion 35.

[0034] As clear to the skilled person, in Fig. 1 as well as in Fig. 3-7, the identification feature 15 is illustrated schematically and in an oversized manner for the purpose of better visibility.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a personalized identification document 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The personalized identification document 1 comprises a substrate 5 and an outer surface portion 35. A recess 10 is formed within the outer surface portion 35. An identification feature 15 is provided in the recess 10. Of course, the personalized identification feature 1 may comprise further identification features which are not shown in Fig. 2.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the personalized identification document 1 of Fig. 2 along line A-A. The personalized identification document 1 has a substrate 5. The substrate 5 has a frontside FS and a backside BS. The substrate 5 has an outer surface portion 35 on the frontside FS of the substrate 5. A recess 10 is formed in the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5. The recess 10 has a cuboid shape. An identification feature 15 is provided in the recess 10. The identification feature 15 has an inkjet-printed colored image 16 and a layer of varnish material 17 which covers the entire inkjet-printed colored image 16 to the outside. The identification feature 15 completely fills the recess 10. An exposed outer surface portion 25 of the layer of varnish material 17 is flat and flush with the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5. The indication of directions (top, down, left, right) refer to the directions of the recess.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a portion of a personalized identification document according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A substrate 5 has an outer surface portion 35 and a recess 10 formed within the outer surface portion 35. The recess 10 has a cuboid shape. The recess 10 forms an edge with the outer surface portion 35. As clear to the skilled person, edges may be rounded or chamfered or the like. In that case, the present disclosure considers the upper end of the edge which is rounded, chamfered or the like as the edge's reference point 40. The upper end of such edge is the end which is adjacent to the outer surface portion 35. In Fig. 4 the edge between the outer surface portion 35 and the recess 10 is chamfered. The upper end of the chamfered edge is the edge's reference point 40. An imaginary plane 45 is illustrated in dashed line. The imaginary plane 45 completes the recess 10. The imaginary plane 45 extends through the upper end of the edge formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35. The recess 10 has the depth t. The depth t is measured between the imaginary plane 45 and the lowest point of the recess 10. In the recess 10, an inkjet-printed colored image and a layer of varnish material 17 is provided. The inkjet-printed colored image is formed by a plurality of ink layers 16', 16", 16‴. The ink layer 16' may for example correspond to the color magenta. The ink layer 16" may for example correspond to the color cyan. The ink layer 16‴ may for example correspond to the color yellow. Each single ink layer 16', 16", 16‴ may have a thickness of less than 5 micrometers, preferably a thickness in the range of 1-3 micrometers. The inkjet-printed colored image and the layer of varnish material 17 are positioned in the recess 10 and do not extend out of the recess 10, i.e., do not raise above the imaginary plane 45.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of a portion of a personalized identification document according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A substrate 5 has an outer surface portion 35. A recess 10 is formed in the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5. The recess 10 has a cuboid shape. An imaginary plane 45 is illustrated in dashed line. The imaginary plane 45 completes the recess 10. As explained above, the imaginary plane 45 extends through the upper end of the edge (reference points 40) formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35. An inkjet-printed colored image and a layer of varnish material 17 is provided in the recess 10. The inkjet-printed colored image is formed by a plurality of inks 16', 16", 16‴. The layer of varnish material 17 covers the inkjet-printed colored image. To cover the entire inkjet-printed colored image, the layer of varnish material 17 is positioned on top of the inkjet-printed colored image and on the right-hand side of the inkjet-printed colored image. Taking into account manufacturing tolerances, the layer of varnish material 17 may slightly extend out of the recess 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the layer of varnish material 17 protrudes out of the recess with the maximal protrusion p max . The maximum protrusion p max is measured between the exposed outer surface portion 25 of the layer of varnish material and the imaginary plane 45. The maximal protrusion p max lays within the manufacturing tolerance. Accordingly, even though the identification feature is slightly protruding out of the recess, the layer of varnish material is still considered to be positioned completely within the recess 10. The recess 10 has a bottom portion 11. The bottom portion 11 of the recess 10 is only partly covered by the identification feature 15. More specifically, the bottom portion 11 is covered by the identification feature 15 on its left-hand side and is free of ink and varnish material on its right-hand side.

[0039] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a portion of a personalized identification document according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A substrate 5 has an outer surface portion 35. A recess 10 is formed in the outer surface portion 35. The recess 10 has a cuboid shape. An imaginary plane 45 is illustrated in dashed line. The imaginary plane 45 completes the recess 10. As explained above, the imaginary plane 45 extends through the upper end of the edge (reference point 40) formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35. An inkjet-printed colored image 16 which is formed by a plurality of inks is positioned in the recess 10. A layer of varnish material 17 is positioned in the recess 10 such that it covers the inkjet-printed colored image 16. The exposed outer surface portion 25 of the layer of varnish material 17 is "flat and flush" with the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5. All points along the exposed outer surface portion 25 and the points along the upper end 40 of the edge formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35 are located on or between two imaginary, perfect, and parallel planes P1, P2 which are spaced apart from each other by the distance d. The distance d takes into account manufacturing tolerances.

[0040] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of a portion of a personalized identification document according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A substrate 5 has an outer surface portion 35. A recess 10 is formed in the outer surface portion 35. The recess 10 has a cuboid shape. An imaginary plane 45 is illustrated in dashed line. The imaginary plane 45 completes the recess 10. As explained above, the imaginary plane 45 extends through the upper end of the edge (reference point 40) formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35. An inkjet-printed colored image 16 which is formed by a plurality of inks is positioned in the recess 10. A layer of varnish material 17 covers the inkjet-printed colored image 16. The exposed outer surface portion 25 of the layer of varnish material 17 is "flat and flush" with the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5. All points along the exposed outer surface portion 25 and the points along the upper end 40 of the edge formed by the recess 10 and the outer surface portion 35 are located on or between two imaginary, perfect, and parallel planes P1, P2 which are spaced apart from each other by the distance d. The distance d takes into account manufacturing tolerances.Industrial applicability

[0041] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method 100 of manufacturing a personalized identification document 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0042] The method includes the step 101 of laminating multiple layers on top of each other to form a stack of layers and the step 102 of embossing a recess in the stack of layers. The multiple layers may for example be made of Polycarbonate (PC), PVC, Teslin or TPU. For laminating the multiple layers on top of each other and for embossing the recess in the stack of layers standard techniques which are well known in the industry (such as creating the recess by lamination plates during the lamination of the layers) may be used. The stack of layers must have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the recess.

[0043] It should be appreciated that, in accordance with the present disclosure, instead of steps 101 and 102, other technologies may be used to provide the substrate 5 having an outer surface portion 35 and a recess 10 formed within the outer surface portion 35. For example, construction techniques such as 3D printing and injection molding may be used in which the recess is already included in the design. Or the recess may be obtained via milling the surface of a plain card (as done for contact modules)

[0044] The method further includes the step 103 of inkjet-printing a colored image 15 in the recess 10. The colored image 15 is inkjet-printed in the recess 10 such that it is positioned in the recess 10. The colored image 16 is inkjet-printed in the recess 10 such that the recess 10 is partly filled. In an exemplary embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of laser irradiating a further image. The further image may be laser irradiated in a bottom portion of the recess before the colored image is inkjet-printed in the recess. The laser-irradiated image and the inkjet-printed colored image may be provided such that they complement each other.

[0045] The method further includes the step 104 of positioning a layer of varnish material 17 in the recess 10 such that it covers the inkjet-printed colored image 16 to the outside. The layer of varnish material may be provided such that it completely fills the recess 10 and an exposed outer surface of the layer of varnish material is flat and flush with the area of the outer surface portion which is adjacent to and surrounding the recess. Assuming that the recess has a cuboid shape, the required amount of varnish material required to completely fill the recess may be calculated by: v x y = t − ∑ i N q i p h p w , wherein v is the required amount of varnish material to be provided on top of the pixel positioned at coordinates x, y of the colored portrait, N is the number of inks used to print the colored portrait, p h is the pixel height and p w is the pixel width, qi is the ink quantity of the i th< ink, and t is the thickness of the recess. Using this formula allows to calculate the required amount of varnish material to produce an identification feature 30 which is positioned flat and flush with the outer surface portion 35 of the substrate 5.

[0046] It is explicitly stated that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed invention independent of the composition of the features in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.List of references

[0047] 1personalized identification document 5substrate 10recess 15identification feature 16inkjet-printed colored image 16', 16", 16‴ink layers 17layer of varnish material 25exposed outer surface of layer of varnish material 35outer surface portion of substrate 40upper end (reference point) of the edge formed by the recess and the outer surface portion 45imaginary plane that completes the recess p max maximal protrusion out of recess P1, P2two imaginary, perfect, and parallel planes ddistance between P1 and P2 tdepth of recess FSfrontside of substrate BSbackside of substrate

Claims

1. A personalized identification document (1) comprising: - a substrate (5) comprising: a) an outer surface portion (35); and b) a recess (10) formed within the outer surface portion (35); and - an identification feature (15) comprising: a) an inkjet-printed colored image (16) positioned completely within the recess (10); and b) a varnish material (17) provided completely within the recess (10) and covering the inkjet-printed colored image (16) to the outside.

2. The personalized identification document (1) according to claim 1, wherein the identification feature (15) covers only a part of a bottom surface of the recess (10).

3. The personalized identification document (1) according to claim 1, wherein the identification feature (15) fills the recess (10) completely such that an exposed outer surface portion (25) of the varnish material (20) is flat and flush with the outer surface portion (35) of the substrate (5) in which the recess (10) is formed.

4. The personalized identification document (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification feature (30) comprises a laser irradiated image at least partly overlapping with the inkjet-printed colored image when viewed in top-down direction of the recess (10).

5. The personalized identification document (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (10) has a cuboid shape having a depth between 1 and 100 micrometers, preferably between 5 and 50 micrometers, more preferably between 10 and 40 micrometers.

6. The personalized identification document (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the varnish material (17) has a minimum thickness of 1 micrometer, preferably a minimum thickness of 5 micrometers.

7. A method (100) of manufacturing a personalized identification document (1), comprising the steps of: - providing a substrate (5) having an outer surface portion (35) and a recess (10) formed within the outer surface portion (35); - inkjet-printing a colored image (16) in the recess (10) such that the recess is partly filled by the inkjet-printed colored image (16); and - applying a varnish material (17) in the recess (10) such that it covers the inkjet-printed colored image (16) to the outside.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the varnish material (17) is positioned in the recess (10) such that the recess (10) is completely filled and an exposed outer surface (25) of the varnish material (17) is flat and flush with the outer surface portion (35) in which the recess (10) is formed.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein the step of providing a substrate (5) having an outer surface portion (35) and a recess (10) comprises the steps of: - laminating multiple layers on top of each other to form a stack of layers; and - embossing a recess (10) in the stack of layers.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, further comprising the step of laser irradiating an image in the substrate (5) such that the laser irradiated image at least partly overlaps with the inkjet-printed colored image (16) when viewed in top-down direction of the recess (10).

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