DAYTON, Ohio - Standard Register, a leading provider of workflow, content and analytics solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a patent for a chemically reactive security ink that helps mitigate or reveal certain types of document fraud by preventing the chemical alteration or "washing" of secure documents.

The chemically reactive ink masks a warning word or message printed on secure documents. When a check, receipt, label or other item is chemically altered or "washed," the special ink is removed to reveal a hidden word or message. The reactive security ink deters individuals from altering the dollar amount on checks, cash receipts and other secure documents, which could previously be accomplished by erasing portions of text using common household chemicals such as acetone found in nail polish remover.

The patent (8,622,436) covers the chemically reactive ink, the method of using this ink, and security documents that incorporate the ink. The ink was developed in Standard Register's research and development labs in Dayton, Ohio, by chief scientist Dr. Rajendra Mehta and technical directorStephen D. Webendorfer.

Standard Register has earned 898 patents since its founding in 1912, many in the area of document security and fraud protection. The company has 102 active patents in the areas of labels and form/label combinations, in-mold labeling, software and/or equipment, security print and specialty inks, and business forms.

"Helping protect banks, stores and manufacturers against fraud and counterfeiting is an important way that Standard Register advances the reputation of its customers," said Joe Klenke, executive vice president of Advanced Technologies & Channels. "We are proud of our history of innovation in this field. Dr. Mehta himself has generated 57 patents over his long career with our company, many in the area of document security."