HP Enhances Print Security, First Invisible Ink for Indigo Presses
Press release from the issuing company
August 6, 2003 – HP announces the addition of invisible ink to its leading security solution package for the Indigo line of digital printing presses.
Based on HP's Electroink technology, the new invisible security ink increases protection of consumers and businesses on a wide variety of printed materials ranging from passports, driver's licenses, and membership cards to financial documents, pharmaceutical products and luxury goods. The invisible ink can only be seen under an ultraviolet lamp where it fluoresces to a bright red color.
"Forgery and counterfeiting are becoming increasingly important to government and business professionals," said Rafi Maor, HP vice president and general manager, Indigo Division. "By combining variable data printing technology with HP's superior-quality invisible ink, digital printing can help take security to a new level."
Through short-run, on demand printing, security inks are easier and more cost-effective to implement than ever before. The possibilities for secure printed materials are enhanced when organizations combine invisible ink with other premier security features available on Indigo presses such as:
· Alphanumeric codes: graphic representations that combine digits or numbers to form a code that can be placed as a visual element on a page. The code is systemically converted into a sequence that can be checked by using a specific key or by referring to the code system.
· Bar codes: optimized to contain unlimited amounts of unique data and can be printed with invisible ink to eliminate unwanted graphic elements while increasing overall security.
· Micro-text: text printed at a resolution and line screen so small that is not legible to the naked eye.
· Digital watermarks: a personalized, machine readable, covert feature that can be added to printed documents to enhance security and link to database information.
The security ink can be printed via HP Indigo 1000, s2000 and ws2000 presses. Offering six-color digital printing, the HP Indigo Press uses breakthrough image tracking technology to deliver uncompromising image quality at a very attractive price. The HP Indigo Press s2000 brings the advantages of on-demand, variable-data printing to the specialty printing market. The ws2000 is ideal for the labels market by enabling companies to produce short-run, high quality color labels - quickly and on demand.
Availability and Pricing
The ink product is available now for the following estimated U.S. street prices:
Product Est. U.S Street Price
Invisible security ink $900/can