If a hidden message doesn’t appear, don’t immediately assume a document is counterfeit. Layering security features such as color change ink, artificial watermarks and coin-activated inks makes it virtually impossible to accurately duplicate using a standard or color copier, scanner, or digital camera. It makes it difficult, if not impossible, to accurately duplicate a document that contains multiple security features. This is why our layer-upon-layer approach to document security is so important. One or more industry-recognized feature design to prevent the use of counterfeit forms. One or more industry-recognized feature designed to prevent the erasure or modification of information. One or more industry-recognized feature designed to prevent unauthorized copying. While it is one feature that could be used, the only way to truly secure a document is to incorporate tamper-resistant security features from all three of the following categories: Because of its unreliability, a pantograph is never incorporated into it. This is evident in the development of currency. And with technology continuing to evolve, security paper manufacturers must continue to address the challenges of unreliable hidden message technology.Įven governments around the world know how important layer-upon-layer security is. Every manufacturer of document security paper has experienced this problem. But this isn’t just an issue we deal with at SecureGuard. Documents may be duplicated on some photocopiers without the hidden message showing up due to new photocopier technology. He stresses that with new technology comes new risks. Just recently, Micro Format owner and security expert, Aaron Singer, shared his thoughts on the subject of pantographs. At SecureGuard, we feel it’s one of the least dependable features. (See below)īut what if the hidden message doesn’t appear? The pantograph has been around for a long time, giving security experts cause for concern about its reliability. When the original document is photocopied, the pantograph or hidden message becomes visible. Usually invisible to the naked eye, they often spell out an indicator message like “VOID” or “COPY”. It refers to the method of marking copy-evident and tamper-resistant patterns in the background of a document. That hidden message technology is called a pantograph and it is one of the oldest and most popular security features in our industry.
But what happens when a security feature fails? A common question our customer service pros hear is, “I made a copy on my photocopier and the hidden message did not appear. Industries ranging from universities to health care to law enforcement rely on these features to protect their documents and their reputations. You know we are passionate about security features that protect the authenticity of documents here at SecureGuard.