Personalisation is a technological process in which the holder data is permanently applied on a document, for example, an identification card, passport, driving licence, etc. PWPW implements this process centrally or, for example, at the client's premises. In the latter case, depending on complexity of the security feature and function of the document, PWPW has to to provide the required equipment and IT solutions.
PWPW has its own Document Personalisation Centre that prepares, among others, driving licences, vehicle registration cards or Polish large family cards. Central personalisation significantly increases the level of document issuance security as it eliminates the existence of unprinted (non-personalised) documents in circulation. In addition, this solution makes it possible to use personalisation techniques which are tightly connected with the production process, such as, for example,
PCP®.
Personalisation techniques:
- Polycarbonate Colour Personalisation (
PCP®). Thanks to this technique a colour photograph may be placed in multilayer structure of a polycarbonate card. This innovative solution combines the card personalisation process with its production. Thanks to placing a colour photograph in one of the layers and its subsequent closing in the structure of the whole card, any counterfeiting attempt leaves visible traces.
- Laser engraving. It is one of the safest methods of polycarbonate card personalisation. It employs lasers which cause carbonisation (blackening) of all layers sensitive to laser beams located below the card surface or blackening with palpable raised element on the card surface. Laser engraving allows for permanent and precise placing of personal data through marking each layer of the card structure. This technique is limited in terms of colour, i.e., from black up to various shades of grey. Originally engraved information may not be removed or changed with any mechanical or chemical methods without leaving visible traces. Laser engraving is independent from the document production process - this means that earlier prepared finished document forms are subsequently personalised with laser engraving.
This technique is also employed for laser cut-out photographs (ImagePerf). It is one of the most efficient methods of protecting the image of document holder against altering or replacing. Conical holes throughout the entire intersection of the card compose an image that may be easily verified in transmitting light. An irreversible vaporisation of the material in the place of the holes causes that any modification of the image is impossible as it is permanently fixed to the document substrate.
- Transparent Laser Engraving (
TLE®). Thanks to this technique transparent raised markings in the form of a sequence of digits or characters may be placed on the surface of a polycarbonate document. This technology allows for using the personalisation data, which is not possible in the case of popular embossing technology (use of identical panes for the whole issue of documents).
TLE® personalisation process consists in placing alphanumeric markings with time stamping on the surface of a polycarbonate card. The time stamping in
TLE® provides information on the moment connected with one of document production stages, for example, the moment when it is placed on the card. Thanks to this solution, it is possible to track the process of document issuance and their identification in circulation. In addition, the authenticity of a document may be verified through checking (in a confidential database) whether such document has actually been produced on the date specified in its time stamping. The placing of
TLE® markings does not reduce document legibility in its everyday use as the markings are transparent and simultaneously constitute an efficient first degree security feature possible to verify without the need to use specialised equipment or devices.
The
TLE® solution has been implemented in the new driving licence, identity cards and business IDs for train drivers.
- Thermal transfer personalisation (thermal sublimation personalisation). This solution is intended for applying personal data mainly on PVC cards and consists in transferring the image directly onto the card surface through heating up the pigment on the ribbon.
- Retransfer personalisation. This solution may be used in cards made of various materials. The process is based on the technology of reversed thermal transfer print and consists in transferring the image from the ribbon onto the layer of an indirect transparent carrier which, at the final stage, becomes thermally combined with the card surface thus composing a transparent protective layer.
- Laser print. This process is used in central personalisation, for example, in vehicle registration cards.