International document solution vendor Xerox is preparing to release, to developing markets, its specialty imaging technology, which it claims will thwart counterfeiting.
The software, which uses normal paper, ink and standard Xerox digital systems, aims to significantly reduce the cost of preparing counterfeit-proof documents.
Raja Bala, principal scientist at Xerox`s Webster research centre in New York, says the technology offers five ways in which to secure the authenticity of a document.
Xerox`s MicroText technology repeats essential information - such as name, address and value - from within the document in a font that is one-hundredth of an inch high. Unrecognisable without a magnifying glass, the line of text appears to the naked eye to be a slightly broken line.
The vendor`s Glossmark technology provides a watermark or hologram to a simultaneously printed image such as a logo. As the document is moved around, the Glossmark is apparent.
The Infrared Specialty Imaging Font enables variable text to be printed within an image that is not visible in normal light. Once placed under infrared light, the security print becomes immediately apparent.
Similarly, text printed using Xerox`s FluorescentMark technology can only be seen under ultraviolet light.
Finally, the company`s Correlation Mark technology prints hidden text or images that are only apparent when an overlay is placed over a document. Changes to the document then become immediately apparent.
Says Bala: "Secure printing technology has historically only been used for high-value documents like money, passports, tickets and the like. The reason for this has been the high cost of producing secure documents. We`ve taken the cost away with the introduction of software that makes use of the capabilities of printers and the inherent properties in ink and paper which lend themselves to new ways of security printing."
Xerox`s document security technologies are being added to its FreeFlow Variable Information Suite 6.0. This software will soon be standard with Xerox`s high-end printers.
Xerox is represented locally by Bytes Document Solutions.
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