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Alternate VOID Technology
After reading the article on VOID pantographs’ “lackluster” results in new copiers [April 2007 issue], I’d like to mention our NaNOcopy pantograph. Color copiers obviously were not designed to counterfeit documents. They simply make a copy as close as possible through CMYK or RGB separation. They must first optically scan an image lineally, so they don’t mimic contrasting large and small elements or variations in line angles very well. There will always be some loss or gain in the conversion-to-copy process, which they will enhance. Copiers are getting better at defeating most VOID backgrounds with little tweaking because of the increase in scanning resolution and output.

NaNOcopy capitalizes on the inefficiencies of copiers to accurately reproduce variations of elements. Rather than use simple dots or lines, it uses micro-text smaller than 1pt. in size to create its VOID message. A dot or line will gain or decrease in a constant fashion; however alpha-numeric characters actually have multiple areas within themselves which trap toner. For example the letter “A” will trap extra toner within several angles. Complex combinations of characters against a very fine screen of extremely small dots will cause a robust VOID because of the major disparity at play.

Furthermore, because the background uses thousands of alpha-numeric characters of micro-text, it contains overt and covert messages and algorithms for further verification or batch auditing. A single print run can go beyond a VOID background by incorporating an extremely secure and unique code to be verified by the customer with a loupe. This additional security layer is important today because there are no quick fixes when it comes to latent “VOID” messages by themselves.

Noal Phillips
Document Security Analyst
ProDocument Solutions
Paso Robles, Calif.

Problems with VOID
Thanks for pointing out [in the April 2007 issue] that Check 21 has hindered the VOID pantograph feature. I’ve had manufacturers put it at the top of the check, out of the way of the areas that need to be scanned by the banks, to get around it. The check manufacturer’s current VOID pantographs don’t stand out as much as the ones they had before Check 21, either. And this is the feature that the customer can visibly see the easiest. When having some laser prescription paper printed, I had to request they use the easily read VOID pantograph feature and not the one used with checks because of Check 21. I also have tried to get my customers to go to thermochromatic ink, if possible.

Bruce Brancheau
Sales Representative
JK Business Graphics
Perrysburg, Ohio