New holographic options increase security for broader range of the market

MINNEAPOLIS – Fargo Electronics, Inc., a global leader in secure technologies for card identity systems, has announced two new secure materials programs that offer customers greater protection from counterfeit cards. First, Fargo Secure Express is a fast, easy holographic overlaminate program to add security to entry-level card applications; second, new translucent and metallized foil cards add additional options to Fargo’s visual security offerings.

“Fargo’s materials team continues to work to enhance the security of our customers’ cards,” said Alan Fontanella, vice president of product marketing for secure materials and peripherals. “These new programs are an additional defense to thwart the efforts of those trying to create fraudulent ID cards. Customized holograms offer protection that’s difficult to forge but easy to authenticate.”

Secure Express Fargo’s new Secure Express holographic overlaminate provides a fast, easy way to add durability and security to an ID card. Using Fargo’s proven PolyGuard and thermal transfer technologies, Secure Express custom holographic overlaminate is available with a lead time of just five weeks and a minimum order of only 20 rolls. The overlaminate includes block graphics or text and provides solid holographic diffraction for a moderate level of security.

“Secure Express will open the door for more entry-level customers to be able to take advantage of the additional security of a custom holographic overlaminate,” said Fontanella. “With a low initial order quantity and a quick turnaround, it’s an excellent option for applications that may not have previously considered a holographic overlaminate. It’s the fast track to basic, yet customized, holographic protection.”

Secure Express joins Fargo’s Secure and High Secure holographic overlaminate options which offer greater security in higher design resolutions, greater design complexity and visual security elements such as flip images, pseudo color and micro text.

Holographic Foil Cards For those organizations that want visual security but don’t have the need or budget for lamination equipment, Fargo is launching an embedded visual security card program that offers a range of customizable security elements. From translucent and metallized foils to guilloche printing and UV inks, customers can design security into the construction of their ID cards and beyond the reach of counterfeiters.

Cards constructed with translucent and metallized foil cards are created using a precise layering process. The foil is embedded into the card and the tamper-evident image appears below the surface of the card.

Translucent Foil cards have embedded translucent holograms in the card stock and can incorporate Fargo’s array of visual security elements. They are ideal for designs where the card printing will cover the embedded images, creating a watermark effect.

Alternatively, Fargo’s Custom Metallized Foil cards add security with a solid 2D metallized hologram embedded below the surface of the card. The metallized foil adds a unique style element as well as heightened security.

Custom translucent and metallized foil cards can also be preprinted with images according to the customer’s card design. For example, a foil element, background design and logos can be preprinted into the card construction, then individual information such as the cardholder photo, title and ID number can be personalized in a Fargo card printer/encoder. This can save time and ensure a consistent look throughout the population of cards.

“Our embedded foil cards allow customers who require as few as 1000 cards to have a custom holographic foil and other visual security elements like invisible red ultraviolet ink to be a part of their card solution,” continued Fontanella. “It’s another way to add a tamper-evident element of security at an affordable price.”

About Fargo Founded in 1974, Fargo Electronics is a global leader in the development of secure technologies for identity card issuance systems, including secure card printer/encoders, materials and software. The company has sold more than 140,000 systems in the U.S. and over 80 other countries worldwide. Fargo card issuance systems reduce vulnerabilities and potential for loss of time, money and lives by continually improving the security of identity credentials. Fargo provides physical, information and transaction security for a wide variety of applications and industries, including government, corporate, national IDs, drivers’ licenses, universities, schools and membership.

Fargo is an HID Global company. HID is a leading supplier and manufacturer in the access control industry, serving customers worldwide with proximity and contactless smart card technologies; central station managed access controllers; secure and custom card solutions; photo ID and ID application control software; and electronic cylinders. HID Global is part of the ASSA ABLOY family of companies.

Fargo is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Fargo markets its products through a global distribution network of professional security integrators. For more information about Fargo, visit www.fargo.com.