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Advanced Card Security |
Ensure the Authenticity of Your Plastic Cards
There are a variety of ways to help ensure the authenticity of your plastic cards and to reduce the chances of successful fraudulent reproduction. Although no single type of card technology is 100% secure, employing a combination of security measures, such as holography, etching, micro text, or watermarking for example, will enhance your card security effectiveness.
Several options in card security are detailed below. Please contact
us if we may answer any further questions. You may also chat
with us live by selecting this ‘Chat Live'
link.
Card Security
Technology
Most of the card options in this section allow you to build security into your cards regardless of the type or brand of ID card printer you are using. Many of the various overt and covert card security options are explained below. Overt card security options are visible to the eye and make ID authentication easy to verify. Covert card security options cannot be read by the eye without a peripheral device, such as a laser.
Colored Core Cards
Colored core cards offer visual security with a CMY-colored, metallic gold or metallic silver center core. The colored layer of the card is sandwiched between white outer layers, similar to an Oreo®.
Ghost Images
Ghost images provide a basic
level of card security. Essentially, a ghost image is a smaller
version of the original photo image on an ID card, and is generally
printed semi-translucent. These ghost images are made possible by
using software that allows for the ghost image to be added
to the plastic card during the printing process. The benefit of
this type of card security is that it does not generally add to
the cost of your printed card.
HoloMark Seal
Another cost-effective option in card security is the HoloMark Seal. A HoloMark seal is a 3-D holographic “sticker” that can easily be hand-applied to your cards after printing. If removed from a card, the seals are not reusable and a checkerboard pattern will appear to indicate that both the card and the seal have been tampered with. A HoloMark seal will enhance the credibility and security of your cards without the expense associated with holographic lamination.
Embedded Hologram Cards
Embedded hologram cards feature a standard 3-D hologram stamped on blank standard CR80 size cards. Embedded hologram cards have visual impact that changes color and appearance when viewed at different angles. When combined with features like nano-text and laser-viewable images, embedded hologram cards are virtually impossible to replicate. These secure foils give organizations without card lamination equipment a cost-effective means of layering tamper-resistant security features onto photo ID cards.
The Standard HoloMark™ is a visual feature that changes color and appearance when viewed at different angles. With features like nano text and laser-viewable images, it’s virtually impossible to replicate. Standard HoloMark cards are ideal for organizations equally concerned about budget and security, and are in stock and ready to ship from ID Wholesaler.
Custom HoloMark cards use the same 3-D hologram stamp technology as standard HoloMark cards, but the foil is made from your custom graphic. A custom HoloMark foil provides the ultimate in non-laminated protection against ID card counterfeiting—HoloMark makes your cards easy to validate and virtually impossible to duplicate.
Custom VeriMark™ cards feature a custom graphic in 2-D foil that is stamped on blank standard CR80 size cards, in your choice of one of eight positions. These difficult-to-duplicate silver or gold metallic foils are visual, easy-to-verify counterfeit deterrents that offer a quick and affordable custom solution. Custom VeriMark cards are perfect for organizations that want to add customized visual security with minimal cost and delivery time.
UV Printing
UV printing is an option to add uniqueness to a plastic card to enhance card security. UV ink is widely used and accepted by the federal government, state driver’s license programs, and the finance industry. In fact, if you look at your Visa or American Express cards under a UV lamp, you will likely see some type of UV ink security lettering. In ID card printing, you'll need a printer ribbon that includes a special UV panel. Your ID Wholesaler ID Expert can help you determine which ribbon and/or printer you'll need.
Thermal Transfer Overlaminate
Thermal transfer overlaminates add both security and durability to your photo ID badges and can be used by most laminating card printers. Overlaminates may be available with a standard “watermark” to provide a basic level of security. Options in thermal transfer overlaminates vary by card printer manufacturer. An ID Wholesaler ID Expert can help determine what options are available for your card printer.
HoloKote®, for Magicard printers, is an anti-counterfeiting watermark that is printed across the entire card surface using a standard YMCKO or YMCKOK ribbon. The watermark image becomes visible when viewing the card at an angle. When HoloKote is combined with Magicard’s HoloPatch® cards, the watermark is highlighted for visibility from a distance. Generic HoloKote images are standard to most Magicard printers; custom HoloKote images are also available on select Magicard printers.
Holographic Overlaminates
Holographic overlaminates can be used with most laminating card printers, although the overlaminate material and options varies by printer manufacturer. Holographic overlaminates, in general, employ a holographic image that is embedded on the surface of the overlaminate. These holographic images may be standard images offered by the manufacturer of your printer, and most manufacturers also offer a custom overlaminate option to further enhance your card security. Including a combination of several visual security options, such as nano text and flip images, in the design of your custom overlaminate makes fraudulent duplication of your ID card virtually impossible.
Micro text
As the name suggests, this type of card security involves printing tiny text in a specific location on a card surface. Micro text is generally pre-printed onto cards, using an offset press and cannot be duplicated by dye-sublimation, ink jet or laser printers. Micro text can also be found on higher-end holographic security overlaminates. This is an excellent covert feature for authenticating an ID card.
Nano text
Nano text is only viewable under high-powered magnification. Nano text is a string of microscopic alphanumeric type strategically placed within the thin lines of an art element on the card. Typographic errors can be intentionally included in nano text to provide even more covert detail to assist in verification of authenticity.
Hidden Text
Hidden text is one of the most sophisticated, covert card security options available. This invisible alphanumeric type can only be viewed with a laser, making it ideal for high-level security applications where authenticity verification is critical.
Please contact
us if we may answer any further questions regarding card security options. You may also chat
with an ID Wholesaler ID Expert live by selecting this ‘Chat Live' link.
The methods above are a
sample of the security technologies that can be implemented
on a plastic card. Please contact us if you would
like to discuss advanced security solutions.
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