Void Pantograph Software Download Free
Velasco Thibault
In security printing, void pantograph refers to a method of making copy-evident and tamper-resistant patterns in the background of a document. Normally these are invisible to the eye, but become obvious when the document is photocopied. Typically they spell out "void", "copy", "invalid" or some other indicator message.[1]
Void pantographs work by exploiting the limitations and features of copying equipment. A scanner or photocopier will act as a low-pass filter on the original image, blurring edges slightly. It will also not be perfectly aligned with the directions of the document, causing aliasing. Features smaller than the resolution will also not be reproduced. In addition, human vision is sensitive to luminance contrast ratio. This means that if a grey region consists of a grid of very small dark dots the filtering will produce a lighter grey, while a region of larger dots will be affected differently ("big-dot-little-dot"). This makes it possible to see a pattern that had been invisible.[1][2] Numerous variations exist, including printing the marks using a raster of lines in one direction on a background of lines in another direction,[3] or using fine line patterns that alias into a visible moire pattern when copied.[4]
It will take a lot of experimentation, trial and error. It will depend on your output variables. You may need to increase or decrease the frequency of either the text or the background pattern, and or change the screen angle etc. Perhaps a horizontal line angle is better than 45, I really can't remember... You really need accurate, high-resolution reproduction.
The file you provided is INCREDIBLE! I printed the file out on our color laser printer (Phaser 7800) as-is and it didn't work very well (I didn't read/do what you instructed) as the grey box and VOID both printed although the text was just slightly visible against the background. I put the print on the copier and the text did pop out a little more. So it KIND OF worked. I then studied the file and thought maybe if I connected the end points of the lines to the dots with the brush tool it would prevent the text from being visible at all on the original, but even with it set to 100% hard edge there was some blur to the brush. So I converted it to bitmap 1200 dpi / 50% threashold and then connected the ends of the lines to the dots adjacent to them (no brush blur). I printed it out and all I got was a grey box, couldn't see anything else. Put it on the copier....BAM!!! No grey box, just "VOID" appearing on the paper!!! WOW!!! JUST WOW! Thank you so much!
Now...if you're ONLY looking for the word VOID I would suggest using his file that I modified which you can DL by clicking HERE. It's a flattened TIFF that I cleaned up a bit (removed white edge from the letters) by connecting the ends of the lines to the adjacent dot. I think it could use a titch more work in 4 spots, possibly DISCONNECTING the ends of the lines from the dots to remove the black/darker edges, which I think beleive would make this PERFECT!
This is hands down the coolest thing I've seen in 2019 and honestly perplexes me how it works. I suggest printing my file on your office printer and slapping it on the copier, please reply with your reaction.
I used Photoshop bitmap mode halftone screen conversions as I no longer have easy access to an image setter RIP and or Workflow software that can apply different screening at the object level. This uses background "stipple" of 45 round dots at 120 lpi frequency and the VOID text is using a "line" pattern at 45 at 120 lpi frequency. I believe that the original tint value was 15% for both background and text.
As press time is expensive, I would see if you can gang up multiple samples on the same plate. Perhaps positioning the same test patterns in random spots over the width and depth of the sheet to ensure that printing was consistent.
Thanks for sharing psd file & helpful instrustion.
I tried to rescale pantograph image to small image then put on documents but seems like pantograph only works as big image. Is their any standared size or rules for pantograph image dimenson. I resized it to 200x163.
As previously mentioned, the resolution needs to be very high for bitmap mode halftones, ideally 1200 ppi or greater at 1:1 print size. The final image mode should be bitmap, not greyscale or RGB etc.
You could also edit the action to make the backgound use lines rather than dots and the text to use dots rather than lines. You could als experiment to change the angle of the lines from 45 degrees to horizontal or vertical (I'd keep the dots at 45 degree angle though).
PDF sample attached of how this should look. Compare to your file and you should see where you went wrong. Saved with no downsampling and lossless ZIP compression from the final bitmap mode image. This was created at 1200 ppi resolution, you may need 2400 ppi or greater resolution to optimally resolve the dot and line screens.
Hi @Stephen_A_Marsh, We managed to make a small pantograph image and its working fine on B/W printer and print from Machine1. Printing sample pdf from Machine2 on Color print fails. The hidden text clearly visible in original print.
@Stephen_A_Marsh I circled back to this today from someone asking for some advice. It's been a long time since I've worked on this and don't remember exactly what I was doing...but I believe I was able to successfully create a custom pantograph using live text with Layer Effects > Pattern Overlay (.pat are not allowed so I attached a new .psd file which you can save/export...any font should work). Dots for one layer, lines for the other.
I'm working from home now so I don't have access to a printer with 1200 dpi resolution to prove it, but I'm confident it worked and this method made converting any message into a pantograph super easy. As my original response noted, in order to completely hide the word from the background the user must connect any adjacent dots/lines together otherwise an outline is slightly present. Aside from that, following your instructions by converting to bitmap with stated specs makes this easily replicable. Thank you again for the expert advice!
Hi Jacob, I tried this file but the results were not as you said, I simply open the file change the content of the text and changed to a bitmap of 50% threshold, and saved it in a tiff. Here is the result
does this only work with laser printers? I've tried many times with the files as outlined on my inkjet printer with no success..can't figure out if there are other photoshop or printer settings not mentioned that needs to be adjusted that I'm unaware of..? any advise appreciated!
You know that's a good question, my guess would be yes it needs to be a laser/toner printer. The shape of the dot is what creates the pantograph effect. But if the DPI is high enough (1200+ I believe), maybe an inkjet would work. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer.
normally means the image has the word "void' hidden in the background... they are old [pointless] and easy to work around so I assume you are making this for school... anyway have a look at this one made by Stephen and let us know if that helps?
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Base Security Paper (off-white): True Fourdrinier "PREMIUM" watermark paper, with chemical sensitivity to bleach and solvents, invisible fluorescent fibers and toner adhesion, an ingredient in the paper that fuses toner to the document, thus avoiding the problems associated with "lift-off" and other forms of alteration.
VOID Pantograph: This patented technology involves printing a hidden message ("VOID", "UNAUTHORIZED COPY", "COPY", etc.) into the background of an important document. Then, when an attempt is made to duplicate this document, this covert image will become visible, easily distinguishing the original from the copied image.
Guilloche artwork designs: These banknote quality border and background designs are difficult, if not impossible to replicate off a copier or scanner, thus making counterfeiting of these valuable documents all but impossible.
Heat-sensitive security ink: Known in the industry as Thermochromic ink, these formulations are made to either change color or disappear at a trigger temperature of 88F (32C). Coupled with an overt warning band "The above logo contains a special security ink that should temporarily disappear when rubbed", authentication of the document is quick and simple.
Coin-activated ink: As an added covert (unknown) security feature, a customized artificial watermark can be added to the back of any document. This step-and-repeat image is invisible to the eye, until scratched with any coin, at which time the artwork turns black.
Erasable ink: This ink can be included in the background images on many of the documents that we print. The idea here, if anyone attempts to change the variable information placed onto the form (an amount, name, signature, grade, date, or whatever), these changes are easily recognizable.
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