EP3481643B1 - Method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and security document - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document.

background

Security documents are known in which layer arrangements are used, several layers of plastic material being stacked on top of one another in the layer arrangement, for example by means of laminating several layers of the same or different plastic films. Such security documents are produced, for example, in the form of a card, for example a plastic card. One example are so-called chip cards or smart cards, in which a chip is integrated into the plastic card.

From the document EP 2 307 614 B1 a method for producing a security element with a coating applied on both sides is known. The security document is, for example, a bank note, a security paper or a card. When the security element is produced, an opening is produced in a substrate which is closed on one side with an at least partially light-permeable film.

In the document DE 10 2014 000 133 B4 a method for processing a flat, at least single-layer substrate is disclosed. A window opening in the substrate is used to accommodate electronic components, a chip or the like. The substrate can be designed as a multilayer plastic substrate.

In the document WO 98/50883 A1 describes a method for producing a plastic card with a layer structure. A flat coil and a chip connected to it are embedded in the layer structure.

The document DE 10 2008 012 430 A1 discloses a polymer layer composite for a security and / or value document which contains at least two polymer layers which are materially bonded to one another. Patterns are formed on at least one surface of at least one of the polymer layers by the respective application of a visible printing layer in a printing area, the patterns of the visible printing layers being changed by the fact that the surface energy of the polymer layers is present in the printing areas the application of the visible print layers is modified in partial areas of the surfaces.

In the document DE 10 2007 059 746 A1 describes a method for producing a security and / or value document. The security and / or value document contains or consists of a polymer layer composite. The polymer layer composite is formed from a polymer layer component composite and a polymer cover layer. The polymer layer component composite and / or the polymer cover layer contains a laser-sensitive component. The method comprises the following steps: A) A first personalized information is applied to the polymer layer component composite by means of an inkjet printing process as a colored inkjet printing layer, B) the polymer cover layer is applied to the inkjet printing layer and joined to the polymer layer component composite by thermal lamination, and C) a second is laser engraved personalized information is introduced into the polymer layer composite of the security and / or value document obtained in stage B).

From the document DE 10 2012 209 665 A1 a method for individualizing a security document is known, in which a document blank, which comprises a lamination body, and a digital printing device are provided. At least one outer surface of the lamination body is printed by means of the digital printing device using at least one preparation for introducing individualization information into the lamination body. In this case, the document blank is provided with a lamination body which, at least in an individualization area, has a large number of perforation openings penetrating the outer material layer up to an information layer in an outer material layer adjoining the at least one outer surface. The individualization information is printed on the outer surface in such a way that at least part of the individualization information is printed through the perforation openings onto the information layer.

In the document DE 10 2014 110 586 A1 discloses a multilayer composite for a security and / or value document which has at least two interconnected layers. A printed image composed of a visible printed layer is applied to a top side of at least one layer. The print image from the visible print layer is modified by an imperfection print with at least one imperfection, which is applied in front of the visible print layer in which the printed visible print layer is in the area of the at least one imperfection is thinned out or the imperfection is not wetted at least in sections.

The document WO 2012/028451 A2 relates to a method for producing a security document and a security document. The method comprises the steps: providing and / or producing at least one film from a plastic material; two-dimensional printing of at least one area of at least one surface of the at least one film using ink; wherein the at least one film is provided and / or produced so that the at least one surface receives and / or has cavities for receiving the ink. This gives a security document with a document body which comprises at least one layer made from a plastic material and an ink imprint applied to at least one surface of the foil forming the at least one layer, the imprinted ink being essentially arranged in cavities which are formed in the at least one surface of the film forming the at least one layer.

In the document EP 1 810 841 A2 describes a book-like identification document, in particular a passport, an identity card or a visa, with a book cover and at least one sheet connected to the book cover, as well as a book cover for the production of such book-like identification documents. The outside of the book cover has personal information introduced by means of a contactless marking process.

The document WO 2012/003947 A1 discloses a security element for the production of documents of value, comprising at least one transparent ink acceptance layer, which is arranged over the entire surface or in at least a partial area above a first surface of a substrate. An opaque ink-accepting layer is applied to a partial area.

The document WO 2011/015798 A1 relates to a method for producing a security element. The method includes providing a first portion of a security element having at least one opening defined by an inner surface of the first portion of the security element, and printing through the first portion of the security document such that ink is applied to at least a portion of the inner surface of the at least reaches an opening.

Summary

The object of the invention is to specify improved technologies for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document, with which an individualization of the security document can be provided efficiently in a manner that is also suitable for mass production, for example for personalization.

To solve this, a method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document according to independent claims 1 and 13 are created. Alternative configurations are the subject of subclaims.

According to one aspect, a method as defined in claim 1 for producing a layer arrangement for a security document is provided.

According to a further aspect, a security document as defined in claim 13 is provided with a layer arrangement.

The security document can be, for example, an identity card or other identity document, for example a plastic or plastic card. Alternatively, the layer arrangement can be integrated into an identity document or security document of another type. With the internal print image, which is produced with the image imperfections, a print image embedded in the layer arrangement is provided, which is integrated into the layer arrangement with the stack of layers of plastic material and can be viewed from the outside, for example through transparent film sections of the layers that overlap with the print image.

The layers in the flat stack of the semi-finished product can consist of one or more different plastic materials. It can be provided that one or more layers are formed from a plastic film.

The stack of layers of the semifinished product can be designed as a stack of layers lying one on top of the other, which are secured against relative movement to one another, in particular slipping, for example by means of stapling and / or staples.

All layers of the stack of the semi-finished product are aminated.

The lamination takes place, for example, in a hot pressing process known in the production of security documents, in which thermoplastics are pressed together at elevated temperatures so that a monoblock is formed. The stacked layers can also be joined by using adhesive and / or by plastic welding.

The image imperfections can be evaluated with the aid of an optical reading device, for example with the aid of a camera and a downstream digital image analysis. It can be provided that the image imperfections are visible to the naked eye.

The print image is produced with image imperfections that individualize a security document.

The image flaws can be used to identify people, for example in that, when reading out with the aid of an optical readout device, the image flaws determined can be assigned to a personal data record. In the various designs, the image imperfections can extend over a partial area of the print image or over the entire print image.

It is provided that in the outer layer of the layer arrangement, the security document individualizing imperfections are produced, which are assigned to the image imperfections are. The imperfections can be produced by means of mechanical processing and / or laser processing. For example, the imperfections can be produced as depressions on the surface. In this way, in one embodiment, the associated image imperfections can arise when the print image is printed, for example in that the imperfections in the outer layer and / or an underlying layer of the layer arrangement lead to a different course of the printed material than outside the imperfections. In this embodiment, the image imperfections can arise automatically due to the previously produced imperfections or defects in the layer material. The image imperfections associated with the imperfections can be designed to correspond to the imperfections in terms of their course and / or their shape. The imperfections can be produced on a surface of the outer layer and / or on the surface of an underlying layer. The layer of the layer arrangement in which the imperfections are produced can consist of an opaque layer material.

The imperfections have surface-side structures of the outer layer, namely depressions and / or elevations. Alternatively or additionally, structures by means of surface areas of different roughness can also be provided, which lead to the formation of the image imperfections during printing.

An electronic storage medium can be stored in the layer arrangement, and readable electronic data can be stored in the electronic storage medium, which display information about the image imperfections and / or the imperfections. The electronic data can, for example, indicate properties of the imperfections and / or the image imperfections that can be read out by machine and / or with the naked eye, for example a course. If the layer arrangement is integrated into a security document, the electronic data can be read out from the storage medium when reading out the security document, for example from the chip of a chip card. Furthermore, the print image can be read out optically, whereupon the image imperfections are determined. Subsequently, the read-out electronic data and the determined image imperfections can be compared in order to carry out an examination of the security document. Alternative to introduction of the storage medium when producing the layer arrangement, provision can be made for the electrical storage medium to be introduced during further processing of the layer arrangement for producing a security document. The electronic data can be stored, for example, as part of a personalization of the security document.

The method can provide the following steps: generation of electronic processing data by means of a data processing device, with personal and / or non-personal data being processed and an arrangement of the points of failure that individualizes the security document being determined; Transmitting the electronic processing data to the processing device; and producing the imperfections in accordance with the arrangement individualizing the security document by means of the processing device. When generating the electronic processing data, the personal and / or non-personal data can be coded by determining the arrangement of the interfering points, in that the arrangement of the interfering points individualizing the security document is determined as a function of this data. The personal and / or non-personal data can thus be converted into an individualized arrangement of disruptions. This arrangement is then produced in the layer arrangement by means of the processing device. The

When the print image is applied, imperfections lead to associated image imperfections.

As a result, the individualizing arrangement of the imperfections is converted into an associated arrangement of image imperfections. Supplementary image disturbance points can be provided which are not related to an associated disturbance point. Such additional image imperfections can be produced during the printing of the print image. The electronic processing data and / or electronic data obtained therefrom can be stored in the storage medium.

The method can alternatively or additionally provide the following steps: generation of electronic print data by means of the data processing device, the personal and / or non-personal data being processed and a formation of the image imperfections that individualizes the security document being determined, transmission of the electronic print data to the printing device; and producing the image imperfections in accordance with the arrangement which individualizes the security document during printing by means of the processing device. The personal and / or the non-personal data determine the individualizing the security document Formation of the image imperfections so that the data are encoded in an arrangement and form of the image imperfections. Image imperfections can be produced, for example, by means of a higher or lower print material output, changed color and / or the use of different printing patterns in the area of the imperfections when the print image is applied. This can relate to the area of overlap with and / or areas outside of the previously produced imperfections.

A recess can be produced in the outer layer with the aid of a processing device. The print image can be printed at least partially in the area of the recess.

The recess can be produced at least partially as a breakthrough in the outer layer, with the print image then being able to be printed on an underlying layer. The print image can be completely or partially printed on the layer below. The print image can be printed partly on the underlying layer and partly on the outer layer in the region of the recess. The breakthrough can extend through several layers.

The recess can be produced at least partially as a depression in the outer layer, with the print image being able to be printed in the region of the depression. The print image can be produced partially or completely in the recess of the outer layer by means of printing. In contrast to the breakthrough, the outer layer is not completely removed when the recess is produced.

The recess can be produced in the outer layer by means of at least one processing from the following group: mechanical processing and laser processing. Mechanical processing can be carried out, for example, by means of milling, planing and / or engraving. Alternatively or in addition, stamping with an engraving can be used to produce the recess. The laser processing can be combined with the mechanical processing for producing the recess.

The print image can be printed at least in sections so as to capture a recess edge surrounding the recess. In this embodiment, the material used to produce the print image, for example a printing ink, is also partially printed on the edge of the recess surrounding the recess. As a result, in one embodiment, an image flaw can be produced in the print image that can be recognized by means of an optical readout device and / or with the naked eye.

The edge of the recess surrounding the recess can be produced with wall slopes, at least in sections.

The print image can be produced with a print layer thickness that is less than a height of the recess. The layer thickness of the printed image can be essentially the same be the height of the recess. In an alternative embodiment, the printing layer thickness is greater than the height of the recess. In these or other embodiments, the printed image can completely or partially cover the area of the recess.

The edge of the recess surrounding the recess can be produced following an outer print image contour, at least in sections. With regard to its course, the recess edge at least partially follows the outer contour of the print image, the outer edge of the print image and the recess edge being able to abut one another. Alternatively, the two edges can be spaced from one another.

The layer arrangement produced in accordance with the various alternative configurations can be fed to further processing in order to produce a security document, for example a plastic or plastic card, be it with or without a chip. Technologies for integrating the layer arrangement in such a card or another security document are known as such in various embodiments. The layer arrangement can be supplemented by one or more further layers, for example on the front and / or the rear, for example by laminating layers of plastic material.

Description of exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung zum Herstellen eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung für ein alternatives erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, bei der in einem Kartenkörper, der als Schichtaufbau gebildet ist, ein Sichtfenster vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, bei der in einem Kartenkörper, der als Schichtaufbau gebildet ist, ein Sichtfenster vorgesehen ist, wobei hierin ein Druckbild von einem Rand umgeben ist, welcher einer äußeren Kontur des Druckbilds folgend ausgebildet;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Kunststoffkarte, bei der im Bereich des Druckbilds Bildfehistellen einer Kontur folgend ausgebildet sind;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Anordnung mit Teilen einer Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Kunststoffkarte und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, die zusätzlich zu dem innenliegenden Druckbild einen Chip aufweist.

In the following, further exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to figures of a drawing. Here show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation for producing a layer structure not according to the invention with a print image for a plastic card;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a method according to the invention for producing a layer structure with a print image for a plastic card;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of an alternative method according to the invention for producing a layer structure with a print image for a plastic card;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a plastic card in which a viewing window is provided in a card body which is formed as a layer structure;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a plastic card, in which in a card body, which is formed as a layer structure, a viewing window is provided, wherein a print image is surrounded by an edge which follows an outer contour of the print image;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a further plastic card, in which image imperfections are formed following a contour in the area of the print image;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of an arrangement with parts of a device for producing a plastic card and

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of a plastic card, which has a chip in addition to the internal print image.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method not according to the invention for producing a layer structure 1 with a printed image 2 for a security document, for example a plastic card. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the layer structure is provided in a simple configuration with layers 3, 4. These are layers that each consist of a plastic material. The layer structure 1 can be provided as a separate sheet or as continuous material from the roll for further processing. In the course of further processing, a recess 5 is produced in layer 3 by removing layer 3 in the region of recess 5. Mechanical or non-mechanical methods can be used to produce the recess 5, in particular micro-milling, micro-planing, micro-engraving and / or laser processing. In particular when using mechanical processing methods such as micro-milling or micro-planing, side walls 6, 7 of recess 5 can be designed as inclined wall sections, which is shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown. Alternatively, the side walls 6, 7 can be formed on the layer 4 in an essentially upright position.

A printed image 2 is then applied to the layer 4 in the region of the recess 5 by means of a printing process. For example, an inkjet printing process can be used. In this way, an embedded print image is generated in the recess 5. The height of the applied printing material (ink) can be less than 20 µm. The height of the printed image 2 can be less than or approximately the same as the layer thickness of the layer 3. In one embodiment, the layer 3 is an opaque layer. The layer 4 can be designed as a transparent or opaque layer, with the printed image 2 being visible through the layer 4 in the case of a transparent design.

The print image 2 can cover the recess 5 in its entire width or in parts, which is shown in FIG Fig. 1 it is shown where the printed image 2 is surrounded by an edge 8, an area of the recess 5 that is not printed.

The layer structure 1 produced in this way can then be fed to further processing for producing a plastic card. In this case, at least one further layer is laminated onto the cover side 9 of the layer structure 1 so that the printed image 2 is covered. Further lamination steps can be provided in order to finally produce the plastic card with an integrated or internal print image which can be seen from one or both sides of the plastic card through transparent layers.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an alternative method for producing a layer structure for a plastic card. For the same characteristics, in Fig. 2 the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 used.

During or after the production of the recess 5, the method according to Fig. 2 In the region of the recess 5 on a surface 10 of the layer 4, desired defects or desired defects 11, 12 are produced, which in the embodiment shown are designed as depressions which, for example, can have a V-shape in cross section. The solo interfering parts 11, 12 can be produced by means of mechanical processing, in particular by means of micro-milling and / or micro-planing. Alternatively or in addition, micro-engraving and / or laser processing can be used. The different machining processes can be combined with one another.

When the print image 2 is subsequently applied, image imperfections or image defects 13, 14 of the print image 2 arise in the area of the intended imperfections 11, 12 of the printed image. In this way, the printed image 2 is specifically provided with additional forgery-proof features that can be visible to the naked eye. As an alternative or in addition, an evaluation of the printed image 2 by means of optical measurement can be provided.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further alternative method of a layer structure 1 for a plastic card. For the same characteristics, in Fig. 3 the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 and 2 used.

In contrast to the procedure from Fig. 2 are used in the design in Fig. 3 the predetermined defects 11, 12 are produced in the layer 3 without the recess 5 (cf. Fig. 1 and 2 ) will be produced. The area of the intended disturbance points 11, 12 is covered Print image 2 applied to layer 3, so that image imperfections 13, 14 in print image 2 arise. The print image 2 can be printed, for example, as a print raster. The image imperfections 13, 14 in the print image 2 can arise in particular because the ink of the printed raster points runs in the area of the side walls 15, 16 of the intended imperfections 11, 12 due to the inclined design, in contrast to the ink of raster points on the horizontal surface of the layer 3.

The layer structure 1 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 then fed to the further processing of the plastic card in order to laminate one or more layers, whereby a plastic card with an integrated or internal print image is produced. Various process configurations are known as such for the further production process, which is why they do not need to be explained further here. One or more transparent layers of plastic material can be laminated on, through which the printed image 2 can be seen. One or more opaque layers can be integrated through which an image lying behind cannot be seen, in which case a recess may have to be worked into the opaque layer as a window in order to enable the printed image 2 to be seen. Various layer structures with transparent and opaque layers can be provided, with the internal printed image 2 being visible from at least one flat side of the plastic card through one or more transparent layers.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a plastic card 40, in which a viewing window 42 is provided in a card body 41, which is formed as a layer structure, in which the printed image 2 can be seen. In the embodiment shown, the printed image 2 is surrounded by the edge 43. The edge 43 can be formed following an outer contour 44 of the printed image 2, what Fig. 5 shows schematically. For this purpose, the recess 5 was produced accordingly when the layer structure 1 was produced.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a further plastic card 60, in which the image imperfections 61 are formed in the area of the printed image 2.

A representation of the formation of the image imperfections can additionally be printed on the security document, in particular the plastic card, for example in the form of a line representation for the course of the image imperfections or as a reference image. In this way For example, any contours or symbols can be incorporated into the print image as imperfections, which are shown on the plastic card for comparison, which is an authenticity check supported in a simple and efficient way. Fig. 6 shows this by way of example for the image imperfections 61 in the further plastic card 60 (cf. the card at the bottom left).

For the production of the layer structure 1 in its various configurations for the subsequent further processing to produce the plastic card, a device can be provided, for the device parts in FIG Fig. 7 are shown schematically. With the device in Fig. 7 A raster image processor 70 provides processed digital data, which includes control data both for a printing system 71 for printing the print image 2 and processing systems 72, 73, which are used to create the recess 5 and / or the intended imperfections 11, when the layer structure 1 is produced. 12 to produce, in particular by means of laser processing and / or mechanical processing. The raster image processor 70 is also referred to as a pixel area calculator. The raster image processor 70 is usually used to prepare data from the prepress stage for an imagesetter or a printer so that the latter can produce the print image 2 determined by means of a layout page. In this case, the raster image processor 70 receives data which are intended for printing and which have been stored with the aid of a page description language such as Postscript, and repositions all the components presented in order to then transfer them into a raster network of raster points. An exposable bitmap can be created here. The data generated in this way in the raster image processor 70 can be fed as raster data via a database 74a to the printing system 71, which generates the printed image 2 when the layer structure 1 is produced.

In addition, the raster data provided by the raster image processor 70 are processed as processing data via a further database 74b in a respective control device 75, 76 for the processing devices 72, 73 and converted into corresponding control signals. This is done by providing and transferring one or more data files. It can be provided here that the processing devices 72, 73 are used for mechanical processing (milling, planing) and / or laser processing. Due to the processing of the raster data both for the control of the printing system 71 as well as the control of the processing device 72, 73, a high level of precision can be achieved when producing the layer structure 1 when producing the recess 5 and / or the desired imperfections 11, 12 on the one hand and the subsequent application of the print image 2 are guaranteed in their area on the other hand.

The raster data provided by the raster image processor 70 can be processed to generate the raster data 74a and the processing data 74b with different resolutions become. The machining data 74b can be made available for the machining systems 72, 73 in a respectively adapted format, for example in a “CNC language” that can be processed by the mechanical machining devices (milling, planing). For laser processing, raster data for the laser ("point size, intensity") itself as well as coordinates for a mirror system of the laser can be provided.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a plastic card 80, which has a chip 81 in addition to the internal print image 2. Corresponding to the structure of a conventional chip card, the chip 81 can be written with electronic data when the plastic card 80 is produced, which can be read out by a suitable reading device, as this is known as such in various configurations. The entry of such electronic data into the chip 81 can take place as part of a personalization. Provision can be made for the electronic data that are stored on the chip 81 to include faulty point data which display information relating to the intended disturbance points 11, 12 and / or the image disturbance points 13, 14 in the print image 2. For example, the contour (line shape and / or image contour) can be displayed by the flaw data.

As part of an authenticity check for the plastic card 80, the missing or faulty data can be read out with the aid of the card reader and displayed to the user of the card reader via a display so that the user can compare the information displayed with the image imperfections on the chip card 80 that are visible to the naked eye. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the internal print image 2 with the image imperfections is scanned with the aid of a scanning device and the image imperfections are determined in the scan image in order to compare them with the imperfection data stored in the chip 81. This can be carried out with the aid of a test device which has the scanning device and the card reader, for example a chip card reader, as separate or integrated functional units. Depending on the result of the comparison, the user can be informed of the result of the authenticity check by means of optical and / or acoustic output. Test devices which are set up to scan plastic cards with a chip and to read electronic data from the chip of the plastic card are known as such in various embodiments, for example as test terminals.

List of reference symbols

1

Layer structure

2

Print image

3, 4

layers

5

Recess

6, 7

side walls

8th

Print image 2 surrounding border

9

Cover side

10

surface

11, 12

Defective points in shift

13, 14

Image disturbances

15, 16

side walls

40

Plastic card

41

Card body

42

Viewing window

43

edge

44

outer contour

60

another plastic card

61

Image disturbances

70

Raster image processor

71

Printing system

72, 73

Machining systems

74a

Database

74b

further database

75, 76

respective control device

80

Chip card

81

chip

Claims (13)

1. A method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document, with the following steps:

   - providing a semi-finished product with a layer arrangement (1) with a stack of laminated layers made of a plastic material;

   - producing a print image (2) on an outer layer of the layer arrangement (1), wherein the print image (2) is printed by means of a printing device and is produced with image flaws (13, 14) individualising a security document, which are formed with the aid of individualising flaws (11, 12) in the outer layer, which are assigned to the image flaws (13, 14) and which comprise surface structures of the outer layer, namely one or more surface structures from the following group: depression, elevation and differing roughness; and

   - producing an inner print image, wherein a further layer of plastic material is applied on the outer layer by means of lamination, in such a way that at least the print image (2) is covered by the further layer, and wherein the inner print image with the image flaws (13, 14) can be seen from the outside through at least one of the layers from a front and/or a rear side of the layer arrangement (1).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an electronic storage medium (81) is embedded in the layer arrangement and readable electronic data are stored in the electronic storage medium, which indicate information concerning the image flaws (13, 14) and/or the flaws (11, 12).
3. The method according to claim 2, characterised by the following steps:

   - producing electronic processing data by means of a data processing device, wherein personal and/or non-personal data are processed and an arrangement of the flaws (11, 12) individualising the security document is determined;

   - transferring the electronic processing data to the processing device; and

   - producing the flaws (11, 12) according to the arrangement individualising the security document by means of the processing device.
4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised by the following steps:

   - producing electronic print data by means of the data processing device, wherein the personal and/or non-personal data are processed and a formation of the image flaws (13, 14) individualising the security document is determined;

   - transferring the electronic print data to the processing device; and

   - producing the image flaws (13, 14) according to the arrangement individualising the security document during printing by means of the processing device.
5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a recess (5) is produced in the outer layer with the aid of a processing device and the print image (2) is printed at least partially in the region of the recess.
6. The method according to claim 5, characterised in that the recess (5) is produced at least partially as a perforation in the outer layer and the print image (2) is printed on an underlying layer.
7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the recess (5) is produced at least partially as a depression in the outer layer and the print image (2) is printed in the region of the depression.
8. The method according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the recess (5) is produced in the outer layer by means of at least one form of processing from the following group: mechanical processing and laser processing.
9. The method according to at least one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the print image (2) is printed embracing at least in sections a recess edge surrounding the recess (5).
10. The method according to at least one of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the recess edge surrounding the recess (5) is produced with inclined walls at least in sections.
11. The method according to at least one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that the print image (2) is produced with a print layer thickness which is less than a height of the recess.
12. The method according to at least one of claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the recess edge surrounding the recess (5) is produced at least in sections following an outer print image contour.
13. A security document, with a layer arrangement which is produced according to at least one of the preceding claims and comprises an inner print image, which can be seen from the outside through at least one of the layers from a front and/or a rear side of the layer arrangement.

Images