The main purpose of this technology is to secure data printed on documents and packaging. It does so by using pressure or heat to apply a plastic film to the pages or other surfaces that need to be protected. The plastic film will have specific security features built in via its application process – for example printed, tactile or colour elements – for extra protection.
Used for
Anti-tampering / Anti-alteration
Suitable for
Small products
Medium-sized products
Large products
Goes on
Product
Packaging
Can be used for
Physical products
Visibility
Visible
Reading device needed
Yes
No
Connection to server
No
Description
The following are the three most common processes used to build security into the film.
- Overprinting – security elements are typically printed on the back (inner side) of the security film or between the adhesive layer and the film to protect them from damage and tampering (they are usually printed by screen printing, rotogravure or flexographic printing).
- Embossing – the security film is embossed with tactile elements, such as thin lines, complex thin-line patterns or micro-prints.
- Embedding through binding – this technique usually protects photographs and printed personal identification data in passports. To prevent tampering, the film is embedded in the passport book through the binding, so that a strip of the film forms a small margin on the adjacent page, at the back of the document.
Another two, less common, processes are the use of iridescent film, which has a brilliant, pearlescent effect and changes colour when viewed from different angles, and back-reflecting film, which is made visible by a specific viewing device that uses coaxial light.
Uses
Security films are mostly used on documents – for example passports and ID cards.
Implementation
If you want to use security film, you will need to incorporate a step in the production process to apply the film to the parts of the document that need to be protected.
Cost
As there are so many options for implementing security film, it is difficult to give a general idea here of the costs involved.