1 - EMBOSSING

The shape or design in relief obtained by deforming the paper as it passes through an in-line finishing bench on the press. Easy to check by touch. The embossing can be identified with a particular print. Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying. Requires very specific know-how and equipment for a printer.

2 - ERASABLE INK

A type of ink applied in offset printing that fades or disappears under the action of an eraser. Mostly used for bank cheques, cheque letters... Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying.
bank cheques Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

3 - DELEBILE INK

A type of ink applied in letterpress or dry offset printing, which fades or disappears with water. It is also sensitive to various chemical agents (discoloration or change of color) and is mainly used for bank cheques, cheque-letters, etc. Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

4 - VISIBLE FLUORESCENT INK

Offset ink. Very bright, becomes "flashy" under ultra-violet light (black light, false ticket detector). Changes color on color copy. For example, fluorescent orange ink becomes bistre-brown on a color copy. Preferably applied to a non-blue background for best results. Cannot be reproduced by scan or photocopy.

5 - INVISIBLE FLUORESCENT INK

Offset ink. Invisible to the naked eye, reveals itself under ultra-violet light (black light, counterfeit detector). Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying. Caution: must be printed on non-azure paper to avoid interaction with the reverberation caused by the paper's brighteners.

6 - THERMOREACTIVE INK

Ink deposited in offset or flexography (more efficient). The color disappears under the action of heat (breath, heat of the fingers or rubbing) then reappears. Pink is the most reactive. There are several temperature ranges. Can be used to reveal a hidden word. Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying. Cannot be used on carbonless paper.

7 - IRIDESCENT INK

Flexographic ink. Contains brilliant reflections depending on the orientation of the light. This effect is also known as the "flip-flop" effect, namely the product has a colored reflection at one angle of observation and an effect of a different shade at another angle. To achieve the maximum effect, it is best to observe in daylight, as artificial light can counteract the effect of certain shades. Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying.

8 - BLACK PAINT

A series of inks applied in letterpress or dry offset, visually black, intended for the production of different grey screens. Once moistened with a little water or simply with a wet finger, they become colored (several shades available). A print will thus change from black to color by simply wetting it: easy authentication of the document. Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy. The color reaction will only take place once.

9 - RUBBING INK

Offset ink. After the inks have been applied and dried, which are invisible, the print is made to appear by rubbing with a coin, preferably made of brass. A slightly off-white substrate is preferable to any substrate that is too blue. Otherwise, the ink is completely invisible when embedded in a grey screen. It is then revealed by rubbing. Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

10 - WATERMARKING INK

An ink applied in letterpress or dry offset printing that replaces the watermark on certain papers with a print that makes the paper transparent. Once dry, the print, which is always uncolored, can be overprinted with traditional inks, but it is preferable not to overprint on the ink to be watermarked, in order to preserve transparency. Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

11 - PHOTOCHROMIC INK

Ink applied in offset or flexography (more efficient). These very special inks have the ability to change color under the influence of relatively intense UV radiation (sunlight, photographic flash, black light, etc.). Thus, a transparent lacquer very quickly turns from invisible to blue or from invisible to violet, and retains this tint for at least thirty seconds. All combinations from standard shades are possible: yellow becomes green, red becomes violet etc... Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

12 - MICROENGRAVING WITH FILIGREE EFFECT

Effect obtained by pressing a relief shape onto the paper. It is produced in line with the print. The watermark effect is more pronounced than with watermarking ink. Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying. Requires very specific know-how and equipment for a printer. 

13 - MIRROR EFFECT INK

Silver-effect ink that looks like hot foil but can be printed at high speed. Cannot be reproduced by scanning or photocopying. Requires very specific know-how and equipment for a printer. 

14 - IRIDESCENT PRINTING ON GUILLOCHE

Several offset colors are applied in the same printing unit. The lines of the guilloche background move from one color to another in perfect register. This is an anti-counterfeit printer requiring very specific know-how and equipment. Difficult to reproduce by scan or photocopy.

15 - LATENT WORDS

A set of screens invisible to the naked eye, but revealing hidden messages "Copy" "False" "Void"... in photocopying and scanning. Requires very specific know-how and equipment for a printer. 

16 - COPYBLOCK

Discreetly integrated into a page background, the COPYBLOCK system is identified by the vast majority of copiers and scanners on the market, which refuse to copy it by issuing an "unauthorized copy" message.
Combined with Copy block’s latent word embedding makes digital copying impossible.

17 - DIFFRACTIVE IMAGE

Diffractive image consists of a printed image in iridescent varnish on a silver background with a mirror effect. The image is visible or not depending on the light and the angle of vision. Impossible to reproduce by scan or photocopy. Requires very specific know-how and equipment for a printer.

18 - IRIS CONTRAST

Iris contrast covers the sensitive areas of a document without impairing their legibility. It is only visible under certain light conditions and viewing angles.

19 - HOLOGRAM

The principle of the hologram is a three-dimensional photograph that is reproduced on a medium (paper, PVC, etc.).

  • The 2D hologram:

Hologram based on a 2-dimensional graphic image. All elements appear in a single plane.

  • The 2D/3D hologram:

These holograms show images in two or three dimensions, in superimposed, parallel planes, offering a perspective effect and showing an impression of depth (parallax).

  • 3D holograms:

The hologram shows a very realistic relief image and requires strong direct light to make it stand out.

  • Dot Matrix:

These are computer-generated images. The dots can give different animations depending on the viewing angle. In addition to the various holographic creation techniques, a number of components can be incorporated to increase the security of a hologram and enhance the optical effects: the two-channel image, color separation, prismatic effects, micro-text and hidden information.

Holograms are available as hot stamping films, lamination films, self-adhesive labels, etc. They can be either standard (geometrical shapes, ironwork, etc.) or customized (customer logo, etc.).
It should be noted that there is a demetallization process that allows a standard hologram to be personalized with a white reserve.