AU2012283462B2

AU2012283462B2 - Visually variable element, in particular a security element for a data medium

Info

Publication number: AU2012283462B2
Application number: AU2012283462A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Franz; Christian Fuhse; Thanh-Hao Huynh; Michael Rahm; Andreas Rauch
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2011-07-14
Filing date: 2012-07-10
Publication date: 2016-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-10
Also published as: AU2012283462A1; WO2013007374A1; CN103648791A; CN103648791B; EP2731802B1; DE102011107154A1; HK1190991A1; EP2731802A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a visually variable element, in particular a security element for a data medium, comprising a substrate (6) that has a section forming a motif and comprising a first sub-region (4), which is produced by means of intaglio printing, and a second sub-region (5), which is not produced by means of intaglio printing, wherein the two sub-regions (4, 5) are visually perceptible as respectively projecting and/or retreating, and wherein the visually perceptible and the haptically perceptible impressions of the first sub-region (4) correspond and the visually perceptible and the haptically perceptible impressions of the second partial area (5) do not correspond.

Description

Visually variable element, in particular a security element for a data medium [00011 The invention relates to an optically variable element, in particular security element for a data carrier. 100021 Data carriers, such as value, identity documents, or objects of value, such as branded articles for instance, are often furnished for safeguarding purposes with an optically variable element which permits a verification of the authenticity of the data carrier and which at the same time serves as protection from unauthorized reproduction. For this purpose, the optically variable element has an optical effect which varies for example upon a change of the viewing direction and which cannot be copied with conventional copiers. [00031 On these premises, the invention is based on the object of stating an optically variable element, in particular a security element for a data carrier, which combines a high forgery resistance with good recognizability and easy verifiability. 100041 The object is achieved by an optically variable element, in particular security element for a data carrier, having a substrate that has a motif-forming portion with a first partial region, which is manufactured by means of intaglio printing, and a second partial region, which is not manufactured by means of intaglio printing, wherein the two partial regions are perceptible respectively as protruding and/or receding optically, the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the first partial region match, and the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the second partial region do not match. 100051 There is thus provided an optically variable element, which due to the partial regions protruding and/or receding optically is very attractive optically and in which, surprisingly, the haptically detectable impression matches the optically perceptible impression only for the first partial region and not for the second partial region. This variation of the haptic or palpable perception of the motif-forming portion produces a high recognition value and leads to an easy verifiability of the authenticity of the optically variable element.

2 [00061 The partial region perceptible as protruding and/or receding optically is understood here to mean in particular that the respective partial region is perceptible as a continuously bulged area. Thus, the partial region can be perceived optically with a bulge that deviates from the curvature or actual spatial form of the reflective layer in the region of the respective partial region. In particular with the second partial region there can e.g. be imitated an accordingly bulged surface by simulating the corresponding reflection behavior. [00071 The two partial regions can be configured respectively as a contiguous region. However, it is also possible that the partial regions have gaps or even comprise non-contiguous portions. In particular, the two partial regions can be interlaced with each other and/or with other security features. [00081 Furthermore, one of the two partial regions can surround the other of the two partial regions. [00091 In the optically variable element, the motif-forming portion in the second partial region can have a plurality of facets, which are oriented such that for a viewer there is perceptible an area optically that protrudes and/or recedes relative to the macroscopic spatial form of the motif-forming portion in the second partial region. With the second partial region there can thus be imitated a real bulged surface (reflective and/or transmissive). However, it is also possible that with the second partial region there is simulated an areal form, whose reflection behavior cannot be produced with a real bulged surface. Such an area is referred to in the following as an imaginary area". For example, such an imaginary area can be perceptible as a rotating mirror which rotates the visible mirror image e.g. by 90'. Such an imaginary area and in particular such a rotating mirror is very easy for a viewer to optically detect and to verify. [00101 In principle, any real bulged reflective or transmissive surface can be modified to an imaginary area by means of the second partial region of the optically variable element of the invention. This can be realized e.g. by the azimuth angles of all the facets being changed, for example rotated by a certain angle. This makes it possible to achieve interesting effects. For example, if all azimuth angles are rotated to 3 the right by 450, an areal region is a bulged area apparently illuminated from the top right for a viewer, when illuminated directly from above. If all azimuth angles are rotated by 900, the light reflexes move upon tilting in a direction perpendicular to the direction that a viewer would expect. This unnatural reflection behavior then for example also makes it no longer possible for a viewer to decide whether the bulged perceptible area is present toward the front or toward the back (relative to the substrate). [00111 Furthermore, in the optically variable element of the invention, the orientations of several facets can be so changed relative to the orientations for producing the protruding and/or receding perceptible area that the protruding and/or receding perceptible area is still perceptible, but with a surface of matt appearance. In the same way it is possible to produce a glitter effect. [00121 For producing such a matt or glittering surface one can proceed as follows: The change of the orientations of several facets is given by a random deviation from a specified target orientation within certain limits. In particular, it is possible that also several neighboring facets deviate by respectively the same random deviation from the target orientation. Depending on the quantity of the random deviation, quantity or number of the facets respectively having the same deviation, there can be produced in this way for example a surface of matt appearance or also a glittering surface, i.e. surface with glitter effect. An optically variable element with such a matt surface or surface perceptible as glittering has a very high recognition value and thus a very high forgery resistance. [00131 Furthermore, the facets can be configured as achromatic facets. This is in particular understood to mean that the reflection behavior of the facets is due to or at least dominated by ray-optical effects. The facets thus act not or only hardly as a diffractive structure. [00141 In the optically variable element, the maximum embossing depth of the intaglio printing in the first partial region can amount to at least 20 pm, preferably at least 40 pm and particularly preferably at least 70 pm. Such an embossing depth can be haptically detected very well.

4 [0015] Furthermore, in the optically variable element, the maximum height difference of the relief structures in the second partial region can be smaller than 15 um, preferably smaller than 10 p m and particularly preferably smaller than 5 ptm. Such a maximum height difference is so low, that it cannot be haptically detected or only hardly (and then normally as an unstructured roughness). [00161 In the optically variable element, the second partial region can display a height difference optically, with the actually existing structure height in the second partial region being smaller at least by a factor of 3, preferably by a factor of 5 and particularly preferably by a factor of 10 than it appears optically. It is thus ensured that the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the second partial region do not match. [00171 In particular, the optically variable element can be configured such that the second partial region seems to be haptically flat. [00181 In the optically variable element, the first partial region can be manufactured in particular by blind embossing. Furthermore, the first partial region can be formed by blind embossing on a ground that appears to be metallic, is color-shifting and/or iridescent. [00191 In the optically variable element, the first partial region can be reflective. [00201 The optically variable element can be configured such that the two partial regions display identical relief representations, motifs related in meaning, a contiguous motif and/or combined motifs. E.g. the first partial region can display a tactilely tangible bow and the second partial region a violin that appears to be bulged but is tactilely not tangible. It is also possible that the two partial regions together display a motif, such as e.g. a violin, then only the part of the niotif from the first partial region being haptically detectable in conformity with the optically perceptible impression. [00211 Furthermore, the first partial region can e.g. be embossed over the second partial region at least partly by means of intaglio printing. In so doing, a deliberate destruction (embossing loss) can e.g. be desired in the second partial region, so that the first partial region actually lies in front of the second partial region optically, not being semi-translucent for instance. [00221 In the optically variable element, the second partial region can have microstructures, which imitate the reflection and/or refraction behavior of a bulged surface. The microstruc tures can be at least one element of the following group: Fresnel structures, reflective sawtooth gratings or facets, diffractive elements for the bulge imitation (for example also animat), moire magnifiers and modulo mappers, in particular with metallized microstructures. An animat is understood here to mean in particular that a viewing angle-dependent appearance is present, and upon a change of the viewing angle there resulting a visible movement effect. Examples of this are described e.g. in WO 2007/107235 A1. [00231 The microstructures can be embossed in an embossing lacquer. In particular, in the microstructures also can have a reflective or reflection-enhancing coating, in particular a metallization, color-shifting coating (the perceptible color depends on the viewing angle), a high-refractive coating and/or a coating with an ink having reflective pigment platelets, so that the pigment platelets align approximately parallel to the microscopic relief [00241 The second partial region can be configured transparent. Furthermore, it can have a partly transmissive coating (e.g. a gridded or a very thin metallization) and/or have in plan viewing and/or transmissive viewing a color-shifting coating. It is also possible to provide a metallized motif beside demetallized regions. [00251 The optically variable element can be configured in particular as a security thread, tear thread, security band, security strip, patch or as a label for application to a security paper, value document or the like. In particular, the optically variable element can span transparent or at least translucent regions or recesses. [00261 The term security paper is understood to mean in particular the precursor to a value document yet unfit for circulation, which besides the optically variable element of the invention can have for example also further authenticity features, such as e.g. luminescence substances provided in the volume. Value documents are understood 6 here to be, on the one hand, documents manufactured from security paper. On the other hand, value documents can also be other documents and objects that can be furnished with the optically variable element of the invention in order for the value documents to have uncopiable authentication features, thereby making it possible to check authenticity and at the same time preventing unwanted copying. [0027] There is further provided a data carrier having an optically variable element of the invention (including all the mentioned developments of the optically variable element of the invention). The data carrier can be a value, identification document, security paper or another object of value. [0028] There is further provided a method for manufacturing the optically variable element of the invention (including its developments), in which the first partial region is manufactured by means of intaglio printing and the second partial region without intaglio printing. [0029] For the substrate of the optically variable element and/or for the data carrier (such as e.g. a bank note) a plastic material can be employed as a material. In particular, also a paper substrate is possible. [0030] Thus, paper with synthetic fibers, i.e. paper with a content x of polymeric material in the range of 0 < x < 100 wt%, a plastic foil, e.g. a foil of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA), or a multilayer composite, in particular a composite of several different foils (compound composite) or a paper foil composite (foil/paper/foil or paper/foil/paper) can be used. The optically variable element can be provided in, on, or between any of the layers of such a multilayer composite. [0031] It is evident that the features mentioned hereinabove and those to be explained hereinafter are usable not only in the stated combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without going beyond the scope of the present invention. [0031A] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an optically variable element, in particular security element for a data carrier, having 7 a substrate that has a motif-forming portion with a first partial region, which is manufactured by means of intaglio printing, and a second partial region, which is not manufactured by means of intaglio printing, wherein the two partial regions are perceptible respectively as protruding and/or receding optically, the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the first partial region match, and the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the second partial region do not match, wherein the two partial regions display at least one of identical relief representations, motifs related in meaning, a contiguous motif and combined motifs. [0031B] Typically, the motif-forming portion in the second partial region has a plurality of facets, which are oriented such that for a viewer there is perceptible an area that protrudes and/or recedes optically relative to the macroscopic spatial form of the motif-forming portion in the second partial region. [0031C] Typically, the orientations of several facets are so changed relative to the orientations for producing the protruding and/or receding area that the protruding and/or receding area is still perceptible but with a surface of matt and/or glittering appearance. [0031D] Typically, the facets are oriented such that the second partial region shows a reflection behavior that cannot be produced with a real, macroscopically bulged, reflective surface. [0031E] Typically, the second partial region is transmissive and/or comprises a color shifting coating. [0031F] Typically, the maximum embossing depth in the first partial region amounts to at least 20 pm, preferably to at least 40 pm and particularly preferably to at least 70 pm.

8 [0031G] Typically, the maximum height difference of the relief structure in the second partial region is smaller than 15 pm, preferably smaller than 10 pm and particularly preferably smaller than 5 pm. [0031H] Typically, the second partial region displays optical height differences, wherein the actually existing structure height in the second partial region is smaller at least by a factor of 3, preferably by a factor of 5 and particularly preferably by a factor of 10 than it appears optically. [00311] Typically, the optically perceptible height differences of the two partial regions are identical. [0031J] Typically, the second partial region seems to be haptically flat. [0031K] Typically, the first partial region is produced by a blind embossing. [0031L] Typically, the first partial region is formed by blind embossing on a ground that appears to be metallic, is color-shifting and/or iridescent. [0031M] Typically, the first partial region is reflective. [0031N] Typically, the first partial region is embossed over the second partial region at least partly by means of intaglio printing. [00310] Typically, the second partial region has microstructures, which imitate the reflection and/or refraction behavior of a bulged surface. [0031P] Typically, the microstructures are at least one element of the following group: Fresnel structures, reflective sawtooth gratings or facets, diffractive elements for the bulge imitation, animat, moir6 magnifiers, modulo mappers. [0031P] Typically, the microstructures are metallized. [0031Q] Typically, the second partial region has a color-shifting coating. [0031R] In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a data carrier having an optically variable element as described above.

9 [0031S] In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing an optically variable element in which the first partial region is manufactured by means of intaglio printing and the second partial region without intaglio printing. [0032] Hereinafter the invention will be explained more closely by way of example with reference to the attached drawings, which also disclose features essential to the invention. For more clarity, the Figures do without a representation that is true to scale or to proportion. There are shown: Fig. 1 a plan view of a bank note having an optically variable element 1 of the invention; Fig. 2 an enlarged sectional view of the optically variable element 1 along the sectional line D-D in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional view of the optically variable element of a further embodiment; Fig. 4 a plan view of a further embodiment of the optically variable element of the invention; Fig. 5 a plan view of a further embodiment of the variable element of the invention, and Fig. 6 a plan view of a further embodiment of the optically variable element of the invention. [0033] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the optically variable element 1 of the invention is applied to the front side of a bank note 2 shown in Fig. 1 and serves as a security element or security feature, so that the authenticity of the bank note 2 can be checked. [0034] The optically variable element or the security element 1 is configured as a reflective security element 1 with a rectangular outside contour and has a motif 3 (here letter combination AB) with a first partial region 4 (A) and a second partial region 5

(B).

10 [0035] As best seen in Fig. 2, in which there is schematically shown a cross section of the security element 1 along the line D-D, the security element 1 comprises a substrate 6 with a reflective layer 7 in the first partial region 4. The upper side of the reflective layer 7, which is facing away from the substrate 6, is embossed by means of an intaglio printing method and thus has a surface structuring. [0036] The surface structuring in the first partial region 4 is here chosen such that the letter A is optically perceptible as protruding relative to the substrate 6. The height or embossing depth dl as well as the lateral dimension of the elevation 8 are chosen such that the haptically detectable impression matches the optical one. One thus notices, when stroking over the first partial region 4 with one's finger, the raised letter A. [0037] The maximum height dl of the elevation 8 can for example amount to 80 pm and the course of the height can preferably be continuous. In this case a particularly good tactility is present. [0038] The layer 7 cannot only be configured as a metallic layer, but as a layer appearing to be metallic, which is applied by printing technology (e.g. by screen printing, flexographic printing, indirect relief printing, offset printing or inkjet), so that after the intaglio printing the first partial region 4 is perceptible as a relief appearing coin-like metallic optically. [0039] Instead of an ink with simple metallic pigments, there can alternatively also be employed an optically variable ink. It is also possible to combine different inks with each other, so that e.g. the embossed first partial region 4 appears to be multicolored. [0040] In the second partial region 5, there can be configured in a lacquer layer 11 e.g. a plurality of reflective facets 12, which are arranged on the substrate 6. The reflective facets 12 are arranged and oriented such, that they simulate for a viewer a reflective area 13, which appears to be bulged relative to the actual macroscopic spatial form of the lacquer layer 11 or of the substrate 6. In the embodiment described here, the reflective area 13 is the letter B, with the reflective area 13 being indicated in the sectional representation in Fig. 2 by a dashed line.

11 [0041] This optical effect of simulating the reflective area 13 is achieved in that the inclination of the facets 12 is chosen in dependence on their lateral position such that incident light is reflected on the facets 12 in the same direction in which a bulged area 13 would reflect the light. Thus, the incident light beam 15 is reflected in the direction 16 which is parallel to the direction 16', which corresponds to the direction upon reflection on the surface 13. The same holds for the light beams 17 and 19 that are reflected in the directions 18 and 20. These directions 18 and 20 are parallel to the directions 18' and 20', which are the reflection directions upon reflection on the surface 13. [0042] The maximum height d2 as well as the maximum dimension of the facets 12 are preferably chosen such that an observer cannot resolve the facets 12 with the unarmed eye. The preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2 has facets 12 that are arranged periodically with substantially constant period. The facets 12 of this embodiment also have a height that varies laterally. [0043] A viewer thus concludes from the reflection behavior of the second partial region 5 that in the second partial region 5 the bulged surface 13 is present with a height d3, which is clearly greater than the maximum height d2 of the facets 12 and approximately corresponds to the height dl of the elevation 8 in the first partial region 4. [0044] Thus, for example in the case of the light beam 15, the reflection behavior indicates that the local surface normal points in the direction 21, which is clearly different from the macroscopic surface normal (arrow 22) of the lacquer layer 11. In the second partial region 5 there is hence imitated a bulge by directional reflection on the facets 12, thereby resulting only indirectly a depth impression or a 3D impression. This impression can also be designated "2 " -dimensional representation or reliefed representation. [0045] Due to the small dimensions of the individual facets 12 the haptically detectable impression of the second partial region 5 clearly differs from the optically perceptible impression. Thus, a viewer expects, due to the optical impression, an area 12 bulged toward the front. Upon touching the second partial region 5, he will, however, palpate or notice substantially only a planar area. [0046] Hence, while in the first partial region 4 the optically perceptible impression matches the haptic perception, in the second partial region 5 the optically perceptible impression and the haptically detectable impression diverge. Thus, the security element 1 of the invention, advantageously, is easily and uniquely checkable for the user without additional auxiliary means. [0047] The maximum height d2 of the facets can be smaller than 15 pm. Preferably, it is smaller than 10 pm and in particular it is smaller than 5 pm. [0048] The facets 12 as an original in a photoresist can be exposed for example by means of gray scale lithography known from the prior art, electroformed and subsequently embossed for example in the radiation-curing lacquer and/or thermoplastic lacquer 11. [0049] The lacquer 11 can be applied for example directly onto the substrate 6 or, however, be provided on a foil strip, in particular a laminate or transfer strip, and therefrom then transferred onto the substrate. [0050] For enhancing the reflection degree of the facets 12 these can be furnished with a reflection-enhancing coating. They can be for example metallized. [0051] The coating on the facets 12 can also be color-shifting at least in certain regions, for example by applying suitable liquid crystals or vapor coating with a reflector/dielectric/absorber thin-film system. [0052] In Fig. 3 the sectional view of an alternative embodiment is shown, in which the facets 12 are executed at least partly transparent and are located for example in a window region 25 of the substrate 6, it being possible that the substrate 6 is the substrate of a bank note. [0053] In transmission view the facets 12 effect that incident light 15 is refracted for example in the direction 16, in which also an object bulged corresponding to the curve 26 and having the same refractive index would refract incident light 15'. The second 12A partial region 5 thus appears as a lens-like object, which has a surface relief according to the curve 26. [0054] In this embodiment, likewise, the relief in the first partial region 4 is clearly palpable according to the invention. In the second partial region 5, the relief seeming to be lens-like, however, turns out to be a thin foil, in which the visually visible bulge is not tangible. [0055] In addition to the configuration as transparent facets 12, in the window region 25 there can also be used reflective facets like in the first embodiment. Preferably, the region around the facets 12 can be demetallized. [0056] Furthermore, the facets 12 can also be furnished with a semitransparent coating (e.g. gridded or a very thin metallization, in particular also a partly transmissive color-shifting coating). [0057] Of course, instead of the above described facets 12 there can also be employed arbitrary bulge-imitating structures, in which the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions do not match. Thus e.g. Fresnel structures, diffractive structures and moir6 magnifiers or modulo mappers, in particular with metallized microstructures, can be employed. [0058] The respective structures can be embossed, but not by means of intaglio printing. Preferably a lacquer 11 that is radiation-curing or thermoplastic is embossed. The lacquer 11 can be applied directly on the substrate 6. It is also possible that the lacquer 11 is applied onto a foil, which is subsequently also attached onto the substrate 6. Alternatively, the lacquer 11 can be present on a transfer foil, from which the structures are transferred in a known way onto the substrate 6. It is also possible that the substrate 6 is directly embossed. [0059] Furthermore, the microstructures of the second partial region 5 can be located in a multilayer construction. The microstructures can hence come to lie for example on the inner side of an outer foil and thus be better protected from external influences. For example, the microstructures forming the second partial region 5 can be configured to be between two outer foils of a polymer bank note or between the paper and the foil 12B layer of a hybrid bank note. In particular, the entire carrier core of the substrate 6 can contain the microstructures forming the second partial region 5, which microstructures are protected by an overlaid foil. [0060] In the hitherto described embodiments, the two partial regions 4, 5 (here the letters A and B) were spaced apart. In Fig. 4, there is shown a further example of the arrangement of the two partial regions 4, 5. Here, the embossed relief of the first partial region 4 (here in the form of the letter A) is surrounded by a second partial region 5 merely of bulged appearance, which partial region 5 has the form of a bulged ring with for example the letters B of bulged appearance. [0061] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the actually bulged motif A (first partial region 4) lies in front of a background with a plurality of letters B merely of bulged appearance (second partial region 5). The motif B here could be for example a lake scenery of reliefed appearance, which is formed of microscopically small facets, and the motif A can be for example a ship, which is embossed by intaglio printing over the second partial region (letter B). Here, a deliberate destruction (embossing loss) in the second partial region 5 can be present. Thus, the ship can e.g. lie on the water and not appear semi-translucent. [0062] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the two partial regions 4, 5 directly border on each other. [0063] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. [0064] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

13 List of reference numbers 1 Optically variable element 2 Bank note 3 Motif 4 First partial region 5 Second partial region 6 Substrate 7 Reflective layer 8 Elevation 11 Lacquer layer 12 Facet 13 Reflective area 15 Incident light beam 16 Direction 16' Direction 17 Incident light beam 18 Direction 18' Direction 19 Incident light beam 20 Direction 20' Direction 25 Window region 26 Curve d1 Height d2 Height d3 Height

Claims

1. An optically variable element, in particular security element for a data carrier, including: a substrate that has a motif-forming portion with a first partial region, which is manufactured by means of intaglio printing, and a second partial region, which is not manufactured by means of intaglio printing, wherein the two partial regions are perceptible respectively as protruding and/or receding optically, the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the first partial region match, the optically perceptible and the haptically detectable impressions of the second partial region do not match, and wherein the two partial regions display at least one of identical relief representations, motifs related in meaning, a contiguous motif and combined motifs.

2. The optically variable element according to claim 1, in which the motif forming portion in the second partial region has a plurality of facets, which are oriented such that for a viewer there is perceptible an area that protrudes and/or recedes optically relative to the macroscopic spatial form of the motif forming portion in the second partial region.

3. The optically variable element according to claim 2, in which the orientations of several facets are so changed relative to the orientations for producing the protruding and/or receding area that the protruding and/or receding area is still perceptible but with a surface of matt and/or glittering appearance.

4. The optically variable element according to claim 2 or 3, in which the facets are oriented such that the second partial region shows a reflection behavior 15 that cannot be produced with a real, macroscopically bulged, reflective surface.

5. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the second partial region is transmissive and/or includes a color shifting coating.

6. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the maximum embossing depth in the first partial region amounts to at least 20 pm, preferably to at least 40 pm and particularly preferably to at least 70 pm.

7. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the maximum height difference of the relief structure in the second partial region is smaller than 15 pm, preferably smaller than 10 pm and particularly preferably smaller than 5 pm.

8. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the second partial region displays optical height differences, wherein the actually existing structure height in the second partial region is smaller at least by a factor of 3, preferably by a factor of 5 and particularly preferably by a factor of 10 than it appears optically.

9. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the optically perceptible height differences of the two partial regions are identical.

10. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the second partial region seems to be haptically flat.

11. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the first partial region is produced by a blind embossing.

12. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the first partial region is formed by blind embossing on a ground that appears to be metallic, is color-shifting and/or iridescent. 16

13. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the first partial region is reflective.

14. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the first partial region is embossed over the second partial region at least partly by means of intaglio printing.

15. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the second partial region has microstructures, which imitate the reflection and/or refraction behavior of a bulged surface.

16. The optically variable element according to claim 15, in which the microstructures are at least one element of the following group: Fresnel structures, reflective sawtooth gratings or facets, diffractive elements for the bulge imitation, animat, moir6 magnifiers, modulo mappers.

17. The optically variable element according to claim 15 or 16, in which the microstructures are metallized.

18. The optically variable element according to any of the above claims, in which the second partial region has a color-shifting coating.

19. A data carrier having an optically variable element according to any of the above claims.

20. A method for manufacturing an optically variable element according to any of claims 1 to 18, in which the first partial region is manufactured by means of intaglio printing and the second partial region without intaglio printing.