Improving ID security by taking a page from passports
30 July, 2013
category: Government
The use of 600 DPI prevents surface alteration with blur-resistant detail and the use of more sophisticated printing techniques. Specifically, it enables organizations to use micro-text – a one-point font that is clearly visible even to the naked eye but impossible to create at 300 DPI. Micro-text is often captured on cards as a border or simple graphic element that appears at first glance to be a line. Upon closer inspection, however, the line is recognizable as distinct yet microscopic letters. Attempts to print micro-text at 300 DPI will simply yield a line, rather than actual words, so fraudulent cards can be immediately identified.
Because 600 DPI printing options are available from a very small group of high-end vendors, micro-text is a tremendous validation tool for organizations that depend on visual authentication of identification cards and their users. For employee access cards, smart IDs and many other corporate cards that contain personal information of a sensitive nature, this kind of security – features that make it significantly more difficult to steal or recreate – is critical to corporate security and data protection.
Print begins with ink
In order to fully maximize the power of 600dpi for card security, however, organizations must carefully consider another critical element of card production. Smart cards such as employee IDs, access control cards and other enterprise applications can only capitalize on high-resolution imagery if they are combined with ink that delivers longevity, integrity of color and resistance to chemical tools for alteration. Specifically, pigment ink provides the highest level of durability and superior color quality. This makes it is critical for delivering secure personalization.
Pigment inks are long lasting and bind firmly to a variety of substrate materials to keep from degrading over time. This enables organizations to choose from a wide variety of card materials – including PVC, PET, polycarbonate and more – depending on application requirements, cost and other material concerns. Without limiting substrate options, institutions can build customized cards exactly to their specifications.
More importantly, pigment inks maintain color fidelity on a variety of card materials regardless of the end-user’s environment. In contrast to more commonly used dye sublimation inks, they are UV-resistant for the entire lifetime of the card and thus protect against color fading. Card elements will survive over time and remain unaffected by the common wear and tear that often gives way to tampering. This is particularly important for smart cards and employee IDs with multiple uses.
Additionally, pigment inks are not affected by contact with chemicals, which means they are difficult to alter or damage without destroying the card material itself. Environmental factors such as light, moisture and exposure to dust have less of an effect on pigment inks than others, so they do not adversely impact the quality or longevity of the card. Again, this elevated threshold of durability is critical for enterprise IDs and cards that are used frequently. This is an important lesson learned from countries looking to fight back on forgeries of passport IDs.
Edge-to-edge and dot-by-dot
The full security potential of pigment inks and 600 DPI technologies is seen in the sharp images produced when combined with unique printing technologies such as dot-by-dot. While dye inks produce normal images that blur together when placed under a microscope or loop, pigment inks can be printed to display hundreds of thousands of individual dots that unite to form an incredibly detailed image.
Only viewable under a loop, this technology not only helps security staff instantly identify the card as authentic but also creates an extremely crisp image that is not possible with other kinds of ink. The dot-by-dot technique is a highly sophisticated print method that enables organizations to not only secure their cards with detailed content, but also differentiate them from any imitators.
Successfully combining high-resolution capabilities and superior ink to maximize security depends on choosing the right printing method for each card. Retransfer printing – more commonly known as high-definition printing – is the most advanced technology available and ensures better quality by printing images onto a retransfer film rather than directly on to the card itself. The retransfer film bonds thermally to the card, ensuring image quality is not adversely affected by the substrate material and remains consistent across high volume production. This is especially important for smart cards that contain small irregularities in shape or surface due to the embedded chip or RFID technology.
Retransfer printing also enables true edge-to-edge printing, which allows cards to feature text, graphics and holograms that extend to the very edges of the card. This feature is impossible with direct-to-card printing. It enables the creation of a tamper-resistant seal, which offers an increased level of visual authentication and enhanced security against reproduction or alteration.
Retransfer printers that use a primer enable consistent quality of personalization details on the card without risking peeling or sloppy surface coverage. For the most accurate and resistant films, organizations should consider card printing technologies that attach the image to the card with heat but also utilize a primer. This method enables for a primer-less area to be applied to the card, which keeps the area of a contact chip or magnetic stripe uncovered. The method is highly accurate, virtually invisible to the naked eye and is possible only with retransfer printing technology.
Conclusion
The advantages of 600 DPI, pigment inks and edge-to-edge retransfer printing can help increase efficiency and bolster card security for IDs, access control cards, bank cards and many other smart card applications.
While most executives believe security is limited to chip technology, card printing technologies can work alongside sophisticated electronic features to bring security to the level demanded by the most sensitive applications. To truly exploit the value of RFID, biometrics and other technologies, next-generation solutions must be used in concert with sophisticated printing techniques to create a multi-layered solution for smart card personalization.