Machine-Readable Security
Throughout its life, a banknote interfaces with technology more than ever before. As it circulates through the modern cash cycle, it faces a myriad array of different authentication technologies. The functionality of these “technology touch-points” are vital in maintaining the security and confidence in cash as well as improving the efficiency and integrity of the cash cycle, all of which ensure that banknotes continue to remain relevant, viable and practical.
Machine-Readable Technology
Machine-readable inks play an integral part in the life of a banknote from its inception at the print works during quality control through to destruction at the end of its life as an unfit banknote. Banknote authentication technology ranges from low-cost devices with limited automation through to high-speed sorters used at commercial and central banks. Machine authentication solutions have one thing in common: the ability to verify one or more banknote security features with as little impact as possible on the manufacturing cost of the reading device itself. The aim is to authenticate banknotes at all levels and mIRage meets a new demand by central banks for more secure and complex machine-readable security solutions that are practical to print and cost effective to implement. Such important considerations help create state-of-the-art, resilient banknotes that can be authenticated across a country's existing complete cash cycle.
Benefits of mIRage
Understanding this formidable challenge, Inovink has patented a new range of infra-red machine-readable banknote security features called mIRage. Mirage achieves the ultimate balance of security, practicality and cost, so vital when central banks and designers are specifying complex machine-readable security that will minimal disruption to existing cash cycle infrastructures. mIRage provides complex and more distinctive infra-red signatures permitting verification across a much wider range of the light spectrum and yet, crucially, can be read and verified by current authentication technologies used today. This means that the patented mIRage technology will work in any country’s current cash cycle infrastructure and will remain relevant through the life of the banknote series.
mIRage Print Flexibility
mIRage can be applied via offset, intaglio, screen-print and gravure inks. Until recently, infra-red features could only be incorporated into one print method but now the options available to the issuer are numerous. The significance of this technological breakthrough by Inovink means that central banks are no longer limited to one print process for infrared features. This flexibility therefore allows significant cost savings to the central bank’s banknote printing budget. mIRage can now be incorporated into complex offset designs therefore providing enhanced banknote security. Another significant advantage of mIRage is that banknote designers are not restricted by the colours they can choose in their banknote designs. This is because mIRage is used in much lower quantities than traditionally for security features of this type. Brighter colour shades of ink can now be specified.
Proven Technology
mIRage features are patent protected and have passed extensive durability and chemical resistance testing by central banks in the laboratory as well as being subject to successful machine and circulation trials before applied to a new or upgraded banknote design. This steady approach has culminated in the Inovink technology being accepted and proven on both paper and polymer substrates by central banks who have specified Inovink on over thirty five billion circulating banknotes to date.
mIRage meets the security needs of central banks:
enhanced security, value for money and improved sustainability.
A Sustainable Approach
Energy efficiency, environmental integrity, and sustainable development are key criteria at the forefront of Inovink’s research and development. mIRage comprises highly efficient materials which require very low loading levels. Therefore, less active material is now needed on a banknote which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the banknote manufacturing process and that of the issuing central bank. mIRage patents have been independently assessed and awarded ‘Green Channel’ fast track status by the UK Intellectual Property Office becuse they demonstrated a clear ‘environmental benefit’ when compared to other patents in the field. Inovink operates to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard.
