Security Element Production via Embossed Ink Metallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing security elements with high register accuracy and fine structures are challenging, especially when forming congruent patterns or motifs in multiple layers, as they require precise alignment and are difficult to produce efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a transparent carrier substrate with an embossed lacquer layer, printed with a flowable ink containing metal pigments, where the lacquer layer is embossed at elevated temperatures to create metallizations that form congruent patterns or motifs, eliminating the need for resist layers and separate metal donor foils, and allowing for precise alignment and easy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods with resist layers and metal donor foils are used, then metal patterns can be formed, but the process complexity increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the resist layer and separate metal donor foil from the production process. Instead, a single self-adhesive foil integrates both the adhesive layer and metal layer, directly transferring metal patterns to the substrate without requiring resist layers for metal deposition, thereby simplifying the process while maintaining high register accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the adhesive layer and metal layer into a single self-adhesive foil structure. This integrated foil combines the functions of adhesion and metal pattern transfer in one element, eliminating the need for separate resist layers and metal donor foils, thus reducing process complexity while preserving manufacturing precision
2Reliability
If fine structures with sharp contours are formed, then protection against counterfeiting increases, but production difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-adhesive foil performs self-alignment during the transfer process. The adhesive nature of the foil allows it to conform precisely to the substrate surface and previously applied layers, automatically achieving sharp contours and fine structural detail without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms, thus enabling high-security features while maintaining ease of production
3Reliability
If multiple functional layers are used, then security features are enhanced, but register accuracy becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The self-adhesive foil acts as an intermediary layer between the substrate and subsequent functional layers. Its adhesive properties ensure precise bonding and alignment, serving as a stable foundation that maintains register accuracy when multiple functional layers are applied sequentially, thereby enabling enhanced security features while preserving manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of security elements with high register accuracy and fine structures, enhancing protection against counterfeiting by ensuring precise alignment and easy availability in production, while simplifying the process by eliminating the need for resist layers and separate metal donor foils.
Implementation Method 1
Bringing the color layer into contact with an embossing tool, preferably at high pressure and at elevated temperature, so that the top of each individual color layer area is provided with an embossed structure along which metal pigments align spatially
Implementation Method 2
Bringing the color layer into contact with an embossing tool, preferably at high pressure and at elevated temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a security element (1) with a negative inscription for a security paper or an article of value, in particular a document of value, comprising the following steps: • a) providing a transparent carrier substrate (2); • b) providing the carrier substrate (2) with an embossed embossing coating (6); • c) printing a layer of free-flowing ink (8) containing metal pigments onto the embossing coating (6) in the form of a predetermined pattern with ink layer regions (4) and clearances (5) between the ink layer regions (4) that form the negative inscription, so that on the underside of each individual ink layer region (4), at which the layer of ink (8) and the embossing coating (6) face one another, metal pigments are aligned spatially along the embossing structure (7) of the embossing coating (6) and form a first, lower ink-layer metallization (9); • d) bringing the layer of ink (8) into contact with an embossing tool, preferably under increased pressure and at increased temperature, so that the upper side of each individual ink layer region is provided with an embossing structure, along which metal pigments are spatially aligned and form a second, upper ink-layer metallization (10).