Capability

The register of security features

Everything the house can put into a document, with a plain account of what each feature is, what it deters, and how the person holding the document confirms it.

How to read this register

Features are listed in the order an examination actually proceeds. The first few need nothing but a window and a thumb. The middle ones need one inexpensive instrument. The last needs a laboratory, and exists to settle disputes rather than to prevent them.

SF-01 Watermark Deters: Substitution of ordinary paper for house stock. apparent at ×1 SF-02 Recess engraving (intaglio) Deters: Flat reproduction by scanning, photocopying or digital press. apparent at ×4 SF-03 Split-duct (rainbow) printing Deters: Reproduction by a process that separates the image into fixed inks. apparent at ×4 SF-04 Guilloche rosette Deters: Freehand redrawing and imitation by tracing. apparent at ×10 SF-05 Latent image Deters: Copying by any process that records the image from one angle only. apparent at ×25 SF-06 UV-reactive fibres Deters: Substitution of visually similar commercial paper stock. apparent at ×25 SF-07 Microtext Deters: Reproduction at consumer scanning and printing resolutions. apparent at ×200 SF-08 Forensic taggant Deters: Disputes about origin, and the passing-off of genuine-looking copies. apparent at ×2,000

And the paper it goes on

The substrate is the only decision in a job that cannot be revised later, so it is the first one we take.

120g Archive Wove 120gsm 100% cotton rag, lignin-free, calcium-carbonate buffered watermark: No 160g Bureau Bond 160gsm 75% cotton, 25% wood-free chemical pulp, wove watermark: Yes 200g Foundry Laid 200gsm 100% cotton rag, buffered, laid finish watermark: Yes 90g Gummed Security Wove 90gsm 60% cotton, 40% chemical pulp, gum arabic coating, frangible watermark: Yes