1 - WATERMARKS

The watermark is the reproduction of a motif (a portrait, an emblem, etc.) that appears transparent in the paper, thanks to differences in the thickness of the paper.
The watermark is extremely difficult to forge by photocopying or printing.

There are two kinds of these:

  • The Round Shape: high security, three-dimensional shape, very fine shading
  • The Table Plate: less security, clearer watermark.

The watermark can be unmarked or marked in the forward and/or cross direction.
In addition to the standard models, it is possible to order a custom watermark (depending on
the volumes).

2 - FIBERS

Fibers are synthetic particles. They are of three types:

  • Visible non-fluorescent, visible to the naked eye, several colors available.
  • Visible fluorescent, visible to the naked eye, these fibers change colors under ultraviolet light, several fluorescent colors available.
  • Invisible fluorescent, invisible to the naked eye, visible only under ultraviolet light, several colors available.

Easy to detect with the naked eye and/or under an ultraviolet lamp, the fibers appear as strands that give the paper an appearance that cannot be reproduced by color photocopying or scanning.
Round Form process. Alternatively, they can be randomly distributed in a sowing pattern on both sides of the paper sheet, using either the Round Form or the Flat Table.

3 - SAFETY WIRES

These are either plastic or metallized threads that can incorporate several options: mini or micro printing, demetallization, coloring, fluorescence of the thread and/or text, high coercivity magnetism, window-thread layout.
Standard widths range from 0.5 to 3 mm.
It is a sophisticated security that is very difficult to counterfeit for several reasons:

  • Due to their microscopic size, printed characters cannot be reproduced legibly by photocopiers or scanners.
  • When metallized, the wire reflects light. It is therefore not reproducible by copying.
  • The fluorescence is also not reproducible by photocopying or scanning.

Any type of security thread can only be inserted into the paper using the Round Form process. Two wires can be integrated into a document: minimum spacing 10 mm.
The wire is laid in the paper at the time of sheet formation, marked with respect to the cross direction of the paper. It is integrated parallel to the running direction of the paper and can be positioned so that it does not interfere with MICR and OCR reading.
The security thread is particularly recommended for authenticating official documents, passports, EURO banknotes, vouchers, certificates and bearer cheques.

4 - HOLOGRAPHIC TRACK

The holographic security track is an embossed metal strip that diffracts light, features various safety effects and animations. There are four widths: 3, 5, 7 and 10 mm.
It is a means of authentication that is:

  • Visible to the naked eye, therefore easy to control.
  • A very high level of security; depending on the origination techniques used, the visual effects are powerful and multiple and make it very difficult to counterfeit.
  • Not reproducible by photocopying or scanning.

The holographic track is applied to the surface of the paper on the reel, outside the paper machine.
It is marked crosswise. The minimum distance between two tracks is 10 cm.
The holographic track is used for many applications such as banknotes (EURO), visas, tax stickers, gift vouchers, but also for brand protection, security labels and packaging and certificates of authenticity.

5 - INSTANT CHECK

Instant verification is a chemical reaction of security paper with a special ink. The marks made on the paper by the special ink, which is originally colorless, instantly turn black, thus authenticating the document.
It is a means of authentication:

  • Effective, because a forged document does not react.
  • Fast, the result is instantaneous.
  • Practical, no heavy equipment required.

To verify the authenticity of a document, it is sufficient to mark it with special colorless ink using a pen or stamp. The mark made in this way turns black.
Instant verification is most often used for short-lived documents such as entertainment, sports or cultural tickets, lottery tickets, vouchers, cheques, electoral documents, etc.

6 - CHEMICAL REACTIONS TO FALSIFICATION AGENTS

These are reactions of the paper to the forgery agents commonly used by fraudsters, resulting in the appearance of colored spots. Forgery agents can be grouped into families:

  • Polar solvents
  • Apolar solvents
  • Strong bases
  • Weak bases
  • Mineral acids
  • Oxidants
  • Oxidizing/reducing couple

The chemical reactions of paper are intended to protect documents against attempts at falsification. They take into account all the products available on the world market that are known to be used as forgery tools, such as alcohol, soda, sulphuric acid, bleach, correction agents, eraser pen and trichloroethylene.
Chemical reagents are usually incorporated into the pulp before the manufacturing process. However, they can also be deposited on the surface of the paper.
This security is used for any document on which the forger may have an interest in changing the mentions. For example: passport, identity card, civil status document, cheque, cheque letter, traveler’s cheque, savings book...

7 - REACTION TO MECHANICAL TAMPERING

A special treatment of the paper surface allows for very strong adhesion of the laser print. This treatment has been specially designed to combat mechanical forgery techniques (scratching the toner or removing it with adhesive tape).
A layer is deposited on the paper which, under the influence of the heat of the laser printer, fuses with the toner, thus allowing the laser print to adhere better to the paper. Scratching the print will damage the paper and the printed background (also protect against chemical forgery techniques).
The paper is processed on the front and back in line on the paper machine. This treatment is recommended for official documents, means of payment and all documents printed on laser printers.