CA2052232A1

CA2052232A1 - Multilayer data carrier and a method for producing it

Info

Publication number: CA2052232A1
Application number: CA002052232A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Albert Ojster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: GAO Gesellschaft fuer Automation und Organisation mbH
Priority date: 1990-09-26
Filing date: 1991-09-25
Publication date: 1992-03-27
Also published as: ATE132811T1; EP0477535A3; DE59107238D1; ES2082064T3; JP3354580B2; AU656149B2; DE4030493A1; EP0477535A2; AU8476291A; JPH04273392A; EP0477535B1; ZA916843B; MX173731B

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a data carrier, in par-ticular an identity card, paper of value or the like, having applied thereto a plane element (OVD) with optically variable effects which are dependent on the viewing angle. Within at least a predefined area of the OVD there is additional infor-mation provided between the OVD and the surface of the data carrier in the form of characters, patterns or the like which, subsequently incorporated into the OVD, overlays the optically variable effect of the OVD and is likewise visually recognizable. The invention also relates to a method for pro-ducing such a data carrier.

Description

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A multilayer data carrier and a method ~or producing it The present invention relates to a data carrier, in par-ticular an identity card, paper of value or the like, having a plane element ~OVD) with optically variable effects which are dependent on the viewing angle, and to a method for pro-ducing such a data carrier.

To protect data carriers it is known to use optically variable devices (OVDs) whose visual effect is based on dif-fraction, interference or the like. In this connection one particularly uses holograms, cinegrams, diffraction grids and interference layer elements for protecting credit cards, identity cards, bank notes, security documents and the like.
Such devices meet the traditional security requir~ment~ for humanly testable authenticity features, i.e. high manufactur-ing effort, on the one hand,~and clear testability without any additional aid, on the other hand. OVDs furthermore cor-respond to the newest state of the art so that tbey give the associated product a modern high-technoloyy character.

Due to the high manufacturing effort, emhossed holograms, for example, are relatively expensive, which has up to now restricted their use as carriers of individual information.
An economically reasonable production of holograms has been possible up to now only in high piece numbers. To increase protection against forgery and to obtain further individuali-zation of series of cards or slngle cards, howeverj;there is a need to make holo~rams~having the same appearance distin-guisha~le from;each other by addit onal measures or to permit a certain degree o~ individualization in the area of the hologram desp~ite the use of like holograms. These additional ~: :

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measures would mak~ different cards visually distinguishable in the hologram area as well although the holograms them-selves show no direct difference.

In the ideal case these measures shou:Ld also be suitable for including the individual data which are associated, for example, only with the justified user of an identity card.
The problem is thus to individualize standard holograms pro-duced in large series no later than upon application of the holograms to a data carrier in such a way that they are spe-cific only to this one data carrier or at least only to a limited number of data carriers.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of pro-posing a data carrier having an optically variable device, in particular a hologram, wherein the optically variable device is individualized by additional measures.

This problem is solved by providiny in the area of the OVD additional information in the form of characters, pat-terns or the like which, subsequently incorporated into the OV~, overlays the optically variable effect and is likewise visually recognizable~

Developments of the invention are the object of the inde-pendent and dependent claims.

The invention is based on the finding that additional in~ormation is storable in almost all plane elements havin~
optically varia~le effects dependent on the viewing angle, provided plane elements are used in which the opt~cally ~rari-able effect is present over a large area and the optically variable effects can be locally changed, dampened or even destroyed by structural changes, disturbances or inhomogenei~
ties in the layer str~cture. If these disturbances are pro-vided in the form of patterns r characters or pictorial sym-~ol~ they are integrated in the OVD disposed on a data car-rier as patterns, characters or pictorial symbols and are ' .

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likewise recog~izable in addi~ion tv the optically variable effects reco~nizable at special viewin~ an~lesO In this way one can produce individualizations of OVDs which can be checXed to~ether with the OVD since they are integrated therein, on the one hand, and which are also protected there-by from changes and manipulation, on the other hand.

The inventive additional information is preferably pro-duced using a technology departing from the production of OVDs by selectively incorporating disturbances in the layers producing the optically variable effect, which can be done in the simplest case by providing locally limited surface rough-ness in areas with otherwise relatively small surface rough-ness, and impressing this roughness into the OVD upon appli-cation to the data carrier.

The t0rm "surface roughness" refers in the inventive sense to the data carrier in the state in which the OVD is being fixed to the data carrier.

For application by so-called cold bonding methods the surface must accordingly have the necessary roughness at room temperature to locally "disturb" the optically ~ariable lay-ers. For elements to be applied by hot-laminating or hot-stamping methods the roughness must still be sufficiently present at this temperature or at least appear in time at this temperature in order to obtain the desired effects. The last-mentioned aspect is of special interest when using printing inks which are provided with pigments or the like together with thermoplastic binders, since these inks form a basically smooth surface in the dried sta~e through which the pigments can be noticed on the surface as "rou~hness" in a sufficiently heated state under the action of pressure ~lami-nating or hot-stamping pressure). This is presumably because if there is a sufficien~ly hi~h proportion of pigment the binder is pressed to the side and the h~rder pi~ments "remain stacked~' so to speak. Since the inventive effect does not occur with an in~uficient proportion of pigment, excessively .

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thick ink layers or in connec~ion with binder~ ~hich do not beco~e sufficiently li~uid at the laminating temperatures, the "roughness" can be adjusted by these parameters, among other things.

To produce the inventive effects surface structures are thus suitablel regardless of the method ~or applying the plane element, which are produced in data carriers by en~rav-ing, sand-blasting, embossing, etchin~ or the like. ~hen using data carriers to which the optically variable devices are applied by the hot-laminating or hot-stamping method, however, a roughness present only in the hot state is already sufficient, i.e. one can also use pigments embedded in ther-moplastic binders.

Combinations of the two stated possibilities are of course also conceivable, e.g. the partial engraving of a homogeneous pigmented outer data carrier layer or the local elimination of surface roughness by covering it wi~h non-pigmented smooth layers or the partial ironing-out of rough structures provided over the surface.

The layer elements to be used are basically all elements which have different optical properties at different viewing angles, on the one hand, and are so thin that the surface roughness changes these optical effects in visually recogniz-able fashion by surface deformations (preferably in the microscopic range), on the other hand. These re~uirements are met substantially by all thin glossy layers to be applied by the transfer technique and by appropriately applied diffrac-tion grids, holograms, cinegrams, interference layer elements and the like.

The basic inventive principle shall be explained in the following with reference to various plane elements which are fa~ricated on so-called transfer bands as semifinished prod-ucts and transferred ~o the actual data carrier by the trans-fer method.

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The subsequent embodiment~ of the invention shall be de-~cribed by way of example with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fi~. 1 shows a known data carrier with an applied OVD, Fig. 2 shows a data carrier ~i~h an OVD in which inven-tive additional information is provided, Fig. 3 shows the cross section throuc3h a transfer band, Fig. 4 shows the cross section ~hrough the known data carrier according to Fig. 1, Fig. 5 shows the cross section through the data carrier according to Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional data carrier 1, ~.g. an iden-tity card, havin~ a general printed pattern 2 and an optical-ly variable device 3 which is designed in the present case as an embossed hologram and in which the holographic information is symbolized by wavy lines 4.

Such data carriers 1 are customarily constructed from a plurality of film layers whereby the inner layers are opaque and provided on the front and back with printed patterns 2.
To avoid damage, manipulation and falsification of printed pattern 2 the printed inner layers are customarily covered with transparent film layers. The optically variable devices, in the present case hologram 3, are generally applied to ~he outer surface of these transparent cover rilms. This is done either by ~luin~ ~cold-laminatin~ method) or by the so-called hot-stamping or hot-laminating method by lamination under the ac~ion of heat and pressure (hot lamination). Regardless of the application method one always endeavors to dispose the preferably very thin hologram on the card surface ~ithout forming ridges.

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It i~ well-known t~at CoJnmon tran~fer holograms have a metalized reflective layer that looks like a hi~h-gloss mir-ror at special viewing angles but clearly reveals the holo-graphic information at other viewing angles. Such holograms are integrated into the design of t.he data carriers, i.e.
coordinated with printed pattern 2 so tha~ they form an opti-cal unit together.

Fig. 2 shows known identity card 1 whereby inventive additional i~formation 5, in the present case in the form of the letter "A", is provided in the area of embossed hologram 3. Additional information 5 is integrated into the high-gloss metal layer of hologram 3 as a matte structure. When regarded at different angles of reflec~ion the holographic information is recognizable as usual, on the one hand, but additional information 5, which is recognizable at almost all viewing angles and is quasi overlaid by the holographic information, is also distinct from the general holographic in~ormation due to its flat matte appearance, on the other hand. Additional i~formation 5 can be recognized particularly clearly at the angles of reflection at which the holographic effects are not recognizable but the metal layer appears only as a mirror. At the angles at which the holographic information appears par ticularly clearly additional information 5 is less visible since it is outshined by the holographic information so to speak.

The structure of an inventively usable transfer hologram is shown schematically in Fig. 3 without con~idera~ion of the actua1 proportions. The tra~sfer band comprises a carrier material 10, for example a polyester film, and a separation layer 12 disposed thereon that melts at the laminating tem-perature and permits detachment of carrier layer 10. Adjacent to separation layer 12 is a layer of protective lacquer 14 that becomes the outer layer after transfer of the hologram to a data carrier and offers the hologram a certain degree of mechanical protection. Under layer of protective lacquer 14 there is a thermopl2stic layer 16 in which the difEraction ... . . . .
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~tructures of the holo~ram are impressed by a ~ress die. A
metal layer 18 is sputtered on the hologram structure. De-pending on the production method the impressing and metaliz-ing can also take place in reverse order. Finally, a protec-tive lacquer 20 and thereupon a heat-sealing layer 22 are customarily provided on the impressed side of the laminar compound. Metal layer 18 can also be sputtered on so thinly that it is partly permeable; it is also conceivable to apply the metal layer using a screen or to use other variants.

Embossed hologram 3 comprising layers 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 is transferred to data carrier 1 with the aid of carrier band 10.

The embossed hologram is transferred to the data carrier by the hot~stamping method with the aid of a so~called hot-stamping die. The transfer band is placed with heat-sealirlg layer ~.2 on carrier layer 24. The hot-stamping dle is pressed on for a certain time at a predefined pressure whereby separ-ation layer 12 melts under the press die and activa~es heat-sealing layer 22. After removal of the hot-stamping die, car-rier band 10 is removed. Precisely those parts of the holo-gram which were pressed on by the hot-stamping die remain stuck to the data carrier on carrier layer 24. The remaining parts of the hologram which ~ere not disposed directly below the hot-stamping die remain on the carrier band and are re-moved therewith from data carrier 1. The transfer band is known as such and not the object of the present invention.

Transfer by the hot-laminating method ta~es place in a similar form except that the data carrier is completely cov-ered with laminating plates and heat and pressure act o~ the entire area of the data carrier. ~he element to be trans-ferred, if it is to be limited to partial areas of the data carrier, must thus already be present on the transfer band in the dimensions in which it is later to be present on the data carrier.

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Fig. ~ shows in cro~s section the area of the hologram ofdata carrier 1 shown in Fig. 1. For simplicity'~ sake, card body 1 which ~enerally comprises three or more layers is shown with one layer. The proportions of the layers are like-wise untrue for clarity's sake. Card 1, designed as a stand-ard card, normally has a thickness of ahout 0.76 mm. The thickness of the transfer hologram is customarily in the range of a few micrometers.

The layer structure in Fig. 4 includes data carrier 1 to which the hologram comprising layers 20, 18, 16 and 14 is affixed by means of adhesive layer 22. Holo~raphic informa-tion 4 is impressed in thermoplastic layer 16 and thin metal layer 18 in the known way as a microrelief. Layers 14 and 20 are designed as resistant layers of lacquer to protect the hologram from mechanical damage.

Layer structure 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 is dimensioned and ~tructured in such a way that it forms a mechanicaLly stable unit when fixed to the card body, on the one hand, but has such low inherent stability that detachment from the card leads to destrustion of the hologram, on the other hand. A
more detailed description of such transfer holograms can be found for example in German "offenlegungsschrift" no. 33 0 831.

In Fig. 5 the same layer structure is selected as in Fig.
4 except that additional information 5 is integrated into the layer structure here in the form of structural inhomogeneity.

As explained below, additional information 5 can be pro-duced in a great variety of forms. In the present case (Fig.
S) it is produced by additional printed infor~ation 6 which is disposed under the hologram and pressed into layers 20 and 18 bearing the hologram through the layer structure upon ap-plication of the O~D. Printed layer 6 consists of pigmented inks and preferably has a thickness of about 5 to 20 ~. The ratîo of binder to pigment is se]ected such that good Wfill-,, .. ,, . , ., ~. . . . . . . . . .
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ing" exists in the dry ink l~yer, i.e. the pigments are pres-ent continuously when regarded across the layer thicknes~.
This is generally the case with highly opaque pigment inks.

Since the inks are of very different structures depending on the componentC used, it i5 impossible to state a preferred mixture ratio. Experiments have shown, however, that the desired effect can already be obtained w:ith a large number of highly opa~ue and pigmented in~s wi~hout any additional meas-ures. The intensity of the effect must be ascertained experi-mentally for each ink separately. A following chan~e in in-tensity can be effected by varying the layer thickness or changing the proportion o~ pigment or binder.

Particularly good results have been achieved with screen printing inks from the Wiederhold company with the company names J 65, J 60, J 12 and J 20. Pigments that have proved particularly useful are carbon black, chrc~e yellow and tita-nium dioxide, but this is not intended to restrict the inven-tion to these pigments.

Hologram 3 shown in cross section in Fig. 5 and disposed above printed layer 6 is pressed onto the card surface ~y a hot-laminating method under ths action of pressure and heat.
During pressing, softening adhesive layer 22 is activated, thereby obtainin~ an intimate bond ~ith the card sur~ace, on the one hand, and impressing the screen printed layer into the layer structure of the transfer hologram, on the other hand.

The inventive effect is presuma~ly produced because the thermoplastic binder of the pigmented ink softens in the same way as the adhesive layer and flows off to the side giving way to the pressure while the pigments '`remain stacked" thus forming a more or less rough surface structure depending on the grain size. Thi5 structure is impressed in hologram layer 18, producing disturbances, which are vis~ally recognizable i~ the otherwise ~mooth metal surface, in the relief struc-, :

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ture of the hologram ~hich is in the micrometer range. The disturbances produced in this way dampen the holographic recordin~, on the one hand, and produce in the high-~loss metal layer matte plane structures that contrast well with the surroundings and are thus ~ell recognizable visually, on the other hand.

Depending on the intensity of the pig~ment structure the disturbance of the holographic effect is adjustable within wide limits, i.e. it is possible both to eliminate the holo-graphic effect fully in these areas and to make it so weak that the additional information is recognizable only upon closer viewing at the grazing angle of the metal layer.

As already mentioned, various measures are conceivable for producing the inventive effects. In the si~plest case the information and data selected for individualization are ap-plied with pigment-containing ink in the ar~as of the card in which they are to appear in the subsequently applied holo-gram. When a holographic plane element is applied over thi~
printed pattern by the hot-laminating or hot-stamping trans-fer method the printed surface areas are recognizable in the later hologram as matte surfaces in the otherwise high-gloss metallic layer of the hologram. The hologram effects are dampened to varying degrees by these measures depending on the intensity but generally not fully destroyed, so that one can detect an overlaying of the two t~pes of information at certain viewing angles.

According to furt~er embodiments of the invention the printed additional i~formation can also ~e printed by means of the pigment~containing ink onto adhesive layer 22 of the trans~er hologram and tran ferred to data carrier 1 together ~herewith.

It is al50 possible to print a pigme~t-containing layer onto the data carrier over a large area and then either re move the areas ~hich are still to appear glossy in the later ~ 3 '"J ~

hologram by engravin~, or cover them ~ith transparent lacquer or the like.

It is likewise within the scope of the invention to em-ploy, instead of the pi~ment-containing printed layer over a large area, suitably filled cover films which are either likewise covered partially with transparent lacquer or the like or for which transfer holograms are used in which the adhesive layer is varied in thickness in accordance with the additional in~ormation.

From the great number of po~sible variations some specif-ic examples shall be described in the following to illustrate the invention further.

Example_l:

A print ~alphanumeric characters, patterns, etc.) was ap-plied by the screen printing technique in the area of the OVD
to a multilayer card having transparent cover films on the outside~ The screen printing was performed with a 70 screen ~ 0 mesh per centimeter) using Wiederhold screen printing ink J 65 (with carbon black pigment). The screen printin~ ink originally present in a pasty form was mixed ~ith 10% thinner (Wiederhold JVS).

A commercial transfer holoyram was laminated onto the hardened print, which had a dry layer thicXness of about 20 ~m.

After detachment of the transfer foil the hologram was recogni~able with high brilIiance in the unprinted areas. In the area of the screen-printed characters these areas were present as sharply outlined matte structures that were well recognizable at all viewing angles. The holographic effect was still visible in the area of the additional information but only with a highly dampened quality.

ExamPle 2:

A card as in Example 1 was used, i.e. a multilayer struc-ture with transparent cover films on the outside. In the area of the OVD characters were provided on t,he card surface in the form of a grained surface relief. This surface relief was produced by local sand-blasting of the basically high-glo~s laminating plates.

A commercial transfer hologram was applied over the re-lief structures by the hot-stamping transfer method.

After removal of the transfer band the characters were likewise recognizable as sharply o~tlined matte structures that were clearly distinct from the glossy structure of the hologram at the particular viewing angles. However, in this embodiment the matte structures were substantially weaker and primarily visible only at the grazing angle of the metal layer. The holographic effect ~as in this case also 90 strong in the areas of the additional information that the latter almost completely disappeared at the optimal viewing angle for the hologram.

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A card as in Example 1 ~was printed in the O~D area over the entire area with screen printing ink ~Wiederhold J 65, screen with 70 mesh per centimeter). After the ink hardened a pattern was engraved in the screen-printed surface or the screen printing ink was removed in a pattern.

After a transfer hologram was laminated on, the engraved areas were reco~nizable as glossy structures ~ith a clearly r~cognizable holographic ef~ect in matte surroundings with a dampened holo~raphic effect. The dampening of the holographic effect corresponded approximately to that in ~xample 1.

~xam~le 4:

A card was prepared a~ in Example 3 with a large-area screen-printed ~ield and covered partially with transparent lacquer (Wiederhold J 70, layer thickness about 20 ~m) after the ink hardened. A commercial transfer hologram ~as applied over this assembly by the hot-stamping transfer method.

After removal of the transfer foil the areas covered with transparent lacquer were reco~nizable with high-glos~ and an undampened holographic effect in the hologram area. In the uncovered areas the additional information was visible in the form of matte structures with a highly dampened holographic effect, as described in Example 1.

Example 5.

A transfer hologram wherein the adhesive layer was varied i~ thickness in a pattern wa~ laminated onto a card with screen printing over a large area ~in accordance with Example 3). The thin adhesive layer areas corresponded to the thi~k-ness customary in transfer hologra~s. The thick adhesive layer areas were strengthened by about lS ~m by additional printed adhesive.

After the hologram was applied by the hot-laminating method the additional in~ormation was recognizable ~in the areas of the thin adhesive layer) as matte structure3 as in Example 1. In the areas of the thick adhesi~e layer the holo-gram was present in an undampened glossy form.

Example 6:

A commercial transfer hologram was applied to a card with outer transparent ~ilms ~according to Example 1) by the hot-stamping me~hod. B~fore application of t~e hologram a screen-printed pattern was applied to the adhesive layer with pig-mented ink ~iederhold J 65; 70 screen).

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' After removal of the transfer foil the ~creen-printed pattern ~a~ recognizable as a matte structure in the hi~h-gloss metal layer of the hologram, ~u~t as in the preceding examples.

Exa~

A negative print formed with transparent lacquer ~trans-parent lac~uer J 70 from Wiederhold, layer thickness a~out 10 ~m~ was provided in the area of the OVD on a card whose outer layer was designed as an opaque, white PVC film with titanium dioxide as a filler. A high-gloss ~hin metal layer was ap-plied over the layer of transparent lacquer by the hot-stamp-ing transfer method.

After detachment of the transfer foil the sur~Eace areas not covered with transparent lacquer were recogni2able as matte structure~ in the high-gloss metal layer to varying degrees ~epending on the viewing anyle.

m~le 8:

A transfer hologram ~as applied to a card with transpar-ent cover ~ilms ~in accordance with Example 1) by the hot-stamping method. A sand-blasted relief was impressed into the transfer hologram in a pattern from the back against a high-polished steel plate before application to the card. The additional structures produced in this way were already rec-ognizable as matte patterned structures in the transfer holo-gram before transfer to the card.

After application of the tra~sfer hologram to the card surface by the hot-stamping method the matte structures were present in an almost unchanged ~orm a~d were clearly recog-nizable at various viewing angles as in the precedin~ exam-ples.

, ~xample 9 A transfer interference element was applied to a card as described in Example 1 by the hot-stamping transfer method.
Such interference elements are known and described ~or exa~-ple in U.S. patent no. 3,858,977.

Before application of the transfer element a patterned rough structure was impressed into the latter from the back ~adhesive layer) against a smooth steel surface. The transfer element normally has a gold-orange color effect that changes to an iridescent green color effect at a different vie~ing angle. The areas with the additional information were now recognizable almost constantly at all viewing angles as a matte structure showing a slightly iridescent yellow color.

After application of the thus prepared interference ele-~ent the additional information produced by the impressed structure was present in an almost identical form.

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A transfer interference element was applied to a card as described in Example 1 (screen printing on a transparent cover film). After removal of the transfer foil the same color change effects were recognizable in the screen-printed areas as in the embodiment example described in Example 9.

The invention provides a very simple and cheap possibili-ty of e~uipping OVDs with additional information. With re-spect to its optically ~ariable effect the additional infor-mation can be incorporated with selective control of its i~tensity in such a way as to lack dominance or have only a secondary e~ect or to be well recognizable at all viewing angles. The additional information i~ always recognizable with the optically variable effect and integrated harmonious-ly into the general impression of the optically variable effect.

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The production of the inventive e~fe~ts can be readily integrated into the known technologies of card production.
Optically variable devices, in particular holograms, are customarily applied in one of the last manufacturing steps on the card when it is laminated and already punched out. The structure~ required for the inventive additional information can be produced in one or more intermediate operations. De-pending on the materials used and the effects desired, the required measures are performed on the particular half-fin-ished cards and/or on the finished cards.

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Claims

1. A data carrier, in particular identity card, paper of value or the like, having a plane element (OVD) with optical ly variable effects which are dependent on the viewing angle, characterized in that additional information (5) is provided in the area of the OVD (3) in the form of characters, pat-terns or the like which, subsequently incorporated into the OVD, overlays the optically variable effect (4) and is like-wise visually recognizable.

2. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the additional information (5) is present in the form of locally limited structural changes, disturbances or inhomogeneities in the OVD.

3. The data carrier of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional information (5) is not produced by the technology of the OVD.

4. The data carrier of claim, characterized in that the OVD (3) is present is the form of a thin multilayer film that is laminated onto the data carrier (1).

5. The data carrier of claim 4, characterized in that the OVD (3) is a high-gloss metal layer, an interference layer structure or a diffraction structure, preferably a hologram.

6. The data carrier of claim 5, characterized in that the OVD (3) is an embossed hologram.

7. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the OVD (3) has a glossy thin metal layer (18) in addition to other layers (14, 16, 20).

8. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the additional information is produced by locally limited changes in the surface structure of the data carrier or by additives incorporated in locally limited fashion.

9. The data carrier of claim 8, characterized in that the additional information is produced by additives incorporated in locally limited fashion in the data carrier or in the adhesive layer adjacent the data carrier.

by present in the adhesive layer adjacent the data carrier surface in the form of different layer thicknesses or as a print of additives, in particular pigment-containing ink.

10. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the additional information is produced by locally limited changes in layer thicknesses of the plane element.

11. The data carrier of claim 10, characterized in that the additional information is produced by locally limited changes in layer thickness in the adhesive layer adjacent the data carrier surface.

12. The data carrier of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the additives contain particles having a hardness and temperature stability such that they are impressed into the OVD (3) in their form during application.

13. The data carrier of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the additives are applied to the data carrier (1) or the OVD (3) by a printing method.

14. The data carrier of 13, characterized in that the additives are applied by the screen printing technique and are present in a dry layer thickness of about 5 to 20 µm.

15. The data carrier of 13, characterized in that the additives are inks containing pigments and binders.

16. The data carrier of 13, characterized in that the pigments are carbon black, chrome yellow and/or titanium dioxide.

17. A method for producing a data carrier, in particular an identity card, paper of value or the like, having optical-ly variable plane elements, characterized by the following steps:

preparing the data carrier with a preferably smooth surface, preparing the OVD, preferably as a plane element to be applied by the transfer method, providing the locally limited changes on the OVD or on the surface of the data carrier, applying the plane element to the surface of the data carrier, preferably using heat and pressure, optionally removing the carrier band from the OVD
fixed to the data carrier.

18. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the locally limited changes are produced by printing a pigment-containing ink on the data carrier or the OVD.

19. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the locally limited changes are produced by printing the data carrier at least in the areas in which the plane element is applied over the entire area with pigment-containing ink and then selectively removing certain areas of the printed layer by mechanical or thermal engraving.

20. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the locally limited changes are produced by printing the data carrier at least in the areas in which the plane element is applied over the entire area with pigment-containing ink or equipping it with a cover film filled with pigments and then locally covering the layer equipped with pigments with non-pigmented layer areas.

21. The method of claim 18, characterized in that the data carrier or the transfer element is printed by a custom-ary printing method, preferably screen printing.

22. The method of claim 21, characterized in that the printed additives and/or the non-pigmented layer is applied in a preferable thickness of about 5 to 20 µm.

23. The method of claim 18, characterized in that the intensity of the changes in the optical properties of the OVD
is adjusted by the pigment concentration in the binder.

24. The method of claim 20, characterized in that the intensity of the changes in the optical properties of the OVD
is adjusted by the thickness of the locally limited non-pig-mented layer.

25. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the locally limited changes are produced by impressing rough structures in the form of the additional information into the OVD or the data carrier.

26. The method of claim 25. characterized in that the intensity of the changes in the optical properties of the OVD is adjusted by the surface roughness of the data carrier surface.

27. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the locally limited changes are produced by varying the thickness of the adhesive layer of the OVD.

28. The method of claim 27, characterized in that the intensity of the changes in the optical properties of the OVD is adjusted by the layer thickness.