Printable features formed from multiple inks and processes for making them
View Patent ↗The invention relates to reflective and non-reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the printed feature comprises a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first printed element disposed on the first region; and a second printed element disposed on the second region, wherein the first printed element is more adherent than the second printed element to the first region. In another embodiment, the printed feature comprises multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.
1. A process for forming a printed feature, the process comprising: (a) providing a substrate comprising a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; (b) printing a first ink onto the first region to form a first printed element; and (c) printing a second ink onto the second region to form a second printed element, wherein the first printed element is more adherent to the first region than the second printed element would be to the first region if the second printed element were on the first region, wherein at least one of the printing of the first ink and the printing of the second ink comprises direct write printing, and wherein at least one of the first and second printed elements comprises metallic nanoparticles.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first printed element and the second printed element form a continuous graphical feature that spans at least a part of the first region and at least a part of the second region.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first printed element and the second printed element form a non-continuous feature that spans at least a part of the first region and at least a part of the second region.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein both the printing of the first ink and the printing of the second ink comprise direct write printing.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the printing of the first ink and the printing of the second ink comprise ink jet printing.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein both the printing of the first ink and the printing of the second ink comprise ink jet printing.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the second printed element is more adherent to the second region than the first printed element would be to the second region if the first printed element were on the second region.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is reflective.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of foil, film, UV-coated lacquer, paper, polymer, coated paper, and printed paper.
10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the second region comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of foil, film, UV-coated lacquer, paper, coated paper, and printed paper.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is reflective.
12. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first printed element and the second printed element comprises variable information.
13. The process of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a banknote, a brand authentication tag, a tax stamp, an ID document, a bottle, and a tobacco product.
14. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first region is more porous than the second region.
15. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first region is more hydrophobic than the second region.
16. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first ink and the second ink comprise a non-reflective colorant.
17. The process of claim 1 , wherein both the first ink and the second ink comprise a colorant.
18. A security feature formed by the process of claim 1 .
19. A decorative feature formed by the process of claim 1 .
20. A security feature, comprising: (a) a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; (b) a first printed element disposed on the first region; and (c) a second printed element disposed on the second region, wherein the first printed element and the second printed element form a continuous or non-continuous graphical feature that spans at least a part of the first region and at least a part of the second region, wherein at least one of the first and second printed elements comprises metallic nanoparticles.
21. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first printed element and the second printed element form a continuous graphical feature that spans at least a part of the first region and at least a part of the second region.
22. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first printed element and the second printed element form a non-continuous graphical feature that spans at least a part of the first region and at least a part of the second region.
23. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the second printed element is more adherent to the second region than the first printed element would be to the second region if the first printed element were on the second region.
24. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first printed element is disposed exclusively on the first region.
25. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is reflective.
26. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first region comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of foil, film, UV-coated lacquer, paper, coated paper, polymer, and printed paper.
27. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the second region comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of foil, film, UV-coated lacquer, paper. coated paper, and printed paper.
28. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is reflective.
29. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first printed element or the second printed element comprises variable information.
30. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a banknote, a brand authentication tag, a tax stamp, an ID document, an alcoholic bottle, and a tobacco product.
31. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first region is more porous than the second region.
32. The security feature of claim 20 , wherein the first region is more hydrophobic than the second region.