Ink-jet authentication mark for a product or product packaging

1. A method of ink-jet printing comprising, in order, the steps of:

a) providing a coated ink-receiving layer from a coating composition containing a polymeric binder and a curable compound;

b) at least partially image-wise curing the coated ink-receiving layer according to a first image; and

c) jetting at least one ink-jet ink on the ink-receiving layer according to a second image that partially overlaps with the first image; wherein

the at least one ink-jet ink is an aqueous or an organic solvent based ink-jet ink; and

the step of at least partially image-wise curing the coated ink-receiving layer according to the first image is performed through a mask arranged over the coated ink-receiving layer or by a laser.

2. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the coated ink-receiving layer includes an initiator.

3. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 2 , wherein the coated ink-receiving layer includes a filler.

4. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the coated ink-receiving layer is a colored layer.

5. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the image-wise curing is performed by radiation curing, electron beam curing and/or thermal curing.

6. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

d) providing a curable composition on the first and second images.

7. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

e) laminating a transparent protective foil on the overcoat layer.

8. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of:

f) overall curing the curable composition on the first and second images.

9. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

e) overall curing the curable composition on the first and second images.

10. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the first image represents information including a picture, logo, photograph, barcode, or text.

11. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the first image includes dots, lines, or fluorescent lines.

12. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein the first image is produced in less than an entire surface of the coated ink-receiving layer.

13. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 1 , wherein an authentication mark is defined by the overlap of the first image and the second image.

14. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 13 , wherein the authentication mark has a different contrast in reflection than a portion of the second image that does not overlap with the first image.

15. The method of ink-jet printing according to claim 13 , wherein the authentication mark has a different optical density than a portion of the second image that does not overlap with the first image.