Is That Real? Identification and Assessment of the Counterfeiting Threat for U.S. Banknotes (2006) / Chapter Skim
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2 Counterfeiting Technology Trends
2 Counterfeiting Technology Trends
Pages 15-29
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From page 15... ...
The digital technology revolution has had a profound effect on counterfeiting technology. Each of the three major steps involved in digital imaging technology is used in counterfeiting: (1)
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From page 16... ...
Cost Comments Digital camera Varies Low to High Limited number of total pixels available Simple consumer-grade 2,500 Low Ideal for counterfeiting owing to reflective flatbed scanner high quality and low cost High-quality reflective 2,500-4,000 Moderate High quality with only slightly higher flatbed scanner costs Professional drum scanner 4,000-5,000 High High cost presents barrier to entry Artwork software No limit Free to Time consuming and limited to use Moderate by experienced artists not. This is characteristic of virtually all of today's high-quality printing processes.1 An image sourced from an input scanner is usually retained, not in binary form, but in analog.
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Cell phone cameras are becoming so ubiquitous and functional that an increase in quality will make them a serious threat. Today, digital cameras cannot provide the image quality of a flatbed scanner owing to many optical effects as well as to limited pixel density.
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While technologies are in development, it seems that the practicalities of binary printing processes will be limiting for some time. Image-Processing Implications Image processing will no doubt be an area of significant development in the next 5 or 10 years.
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IMAGE PRINTING Image printing is the final step in digital reproduction except for finishing operations, which would include cutting, trimming, and the addition of simulated security elements. Electronic printing began more than 35 years ago with the invention of the laser printer.
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Cost Comments Electrophotographic 7-10 Low Potential primarily for low-volume counterfeiting (laser) Ink jet 7 Low Attractive for all classes of counterfeiters owing to low cost and high resolution Thermal 2 Low Limited by low-image-quality substrate chemistry requirements Chemical NA High High cost, variable quality, and limited availability of adequate substrate materials Photographic NA High Produces quality similar to that obtainable with ink-jet printers but at a higher cost Electrophotography The electrophotographic process is the basis of the most widely used document-copying machines.3 It begins with a photoconducting surface that is uniformly statically charged.
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Continuous Ink Jet Continuous ink jet is one of the oldest ink-jet technologies in use; it is fairly mature and arguably produces the best-quality image obtainable on any type of printer. Continuous ink jet is actually better than photography in many cases in reducing image noise.
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From page 22... ...
For these reasons, piezoelectric ink-jet printers may prove to be the most useful technology to counterfeiters now and in the future. Thermal Printing Thermal printing commonly is done in one of three forms: thermal transfer, thermal dye transfer printing, and custom-substrate thermal printing.
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From page 23... ...
The second form of thermal printing, thermal dye printing, has also been referred to as dye sublimation printing. However, in most cases, sublimation is not the physical process that causes image formation, and hence "thermal dye printing" is the preferred nomenclature.
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SUBSTRATES AND ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS Each type of digital printing method discussed above has its own special substrate requirements for optimal image printing. While new substrate capabilities are always emerging, the nature of the various electronic printing technologies restricts the range and types of substrates that work well.
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Image-Acquisition Technology Digital images that appear on FRNs can be acquired using art software, digital cameras (including cell phone cameras) , and a variety of digital scanning equipment.
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+++ ++ +++ ++ ++ NA NA Watermark +++ ++++ +++ + + +++ + Plastic strip +++ +++ +++ ++ + + - Intaglio printing ++++ ++++ +++ + -- NA NA Offset color blending ++ ++ + -- -- -- - Optically variable ink +++ +++ +++ + ++ + - Intaglio microprinting ++ ++ + -- -- -- - Offset microprinting ++ ++ ++ + -- -- - Colored threads ++ ++ ++ + + -- - Machine-readable Paper fluorescence +++ +++ ++ -- -- NA NA Magnetic ink ++++ ++++ ++ -- ++ NA + Magnetic ink pattern ++++ ++++ ++++ + + NA NA Color-shifting inks ++++ ++++ ++++ + + NA - Digital CDS ++++ -- -- + -- + +++ Digital BDS -- -- ++ -- -- -- - Fluorescent thread ++++ ++++ +++ -- + NA NA NOTE: ++++, high deterrence value; +++, good deterrence value; ++, some deterrence value; +, low deterrence value; -- , does not use this technology; NA, not applicable; CDS, counterfeit deterrence system; BDS, banknote detection system. printing and digital photography are available but are not specifically useful for printing counterfeit notes; however, they are useful for simulating specific features.
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From page 27... ...
It may be possible to integrate high-resolution printing plates, formed using soft lithography technology, with commercial flexographic printing systems to improve the resolution and registration by a factor of 10 -- to approximately 3 microns, or better. These systems are being investigated for their potential to print metallic interconnects in large-area circuits and antennas.
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From page 28... ...
Recent developments indicate that improved printers and screens can achieve resolution near 10 to 20 µm with good registration. · Laser-induced thermal transfer printing uses a focused laser beam to selectively transfer layers of solid-material "inks" from a "donor" sheet to a target substrate.
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From page 29... ...
Innovation and skilled engineering have resulted in this progress, and while innovation will continue, some physical limits may dominate the possible improvements in image quality. Image-capture, processing, and reproduction technologies, both current and predicted, pose a significant threat to the security of Federal Reserve notes -- particularly because the security of FRNs depends on the casual viewing of two-dimensional printed features in reflected light.
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