In addition to banknotes and passports, NPA has expertise in printing a range of high security documents such as intaglio stamps, travellers' cheques and treasury bonds. Security features developed for Guardian® polymer banknotes are now being adopted for other documents such as land titles, share certificates, event tickets, identity cards, documents of identity etc. The Taiwanese land title certificate is viewed as a quantum leap in secure document technology.
Sentinel™ polymer substrate is an excellent alternative to paper for many security applications, the advantages are clear; it is a 'press ready' substrate for use in printing security documents. It has the ability to meet the challenges facing end users, and provides the basis for more secure, more durable and cleaner security documents incorporating state of the art technology.
The base polymeric material is unique to anything currently in use and is readily identifiable. One of the key features of the polymer security substrate is its transparency. This allows a unique 'window' feature to be incorporated into the document. The window is a central part of the polymeric security substrate as it also provides a platform for introducing or enhancing a host of new security devices. Perhaps the most interesting development is the concept of the 'self-authenticating' document. This involves the window being combined with another feature on the document to form a verifying device, such as, a filter and metameric inks, a magnifying lens and microprinting, or the formation of moiré patterns. The document can easily be verified by simply folding it instead of using a separate device.
The superiority of polymer substrate over other materials is proven and it can provide long-term benefits. Whilst the initial cost of introducing security documents printed on polymer security substrate may be greater, this needs to be evaluated against the potential damage that may be caused by forgers and counterfeiters working with lower cost alternatives.
Sentinel™ polymeric security substrate is produced in Australia, within the high security confines of a banknote printing plant and is also protected by numerous patented developments.
