ALPHAGRAM™

Type: Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID) — hot-stamped foil patch or stripe

Overview

Alphagram™ is Surys' flagship DOVID for banknote security, based on interferential microlithography technology originated and patented by the company (formerly Hologram Industries). It produces very bright, animated high-resolution diffractive images with no pixelisation, making it one of the most visually complex and recognisable optically variable features in the currency industry. It is described as the state-of-the-art in the most common DOVID format, incorporating numerous high-resolution diffractive and structured effects.

Technology & Effects

Alphagram™ integrates a range of unique optical effects including morphing, positive-to-negative switching, achromatic elements, and wide animations. The feature offers exceptional contrasting and lighting performance, with a fully customisable design space that allows central banks to incorporate bespoke imagery, national symbols, and denomination-specific elements while maintaining a consistent and well-understood public authentication cue.

The origination process relies on interferential microlithography and digital holography techniques to convert graphic designs into nano- and micro-structures etched onto photoresist, which are then replicated at scale via electroforming and thin-film deposition.

Form Factors & Application

Alphagram™ is available as a patch or stripe and is applied via hot stamping, compatible with high-speed application presses used by security printers. It can be combined with other Surys technologies for patch, stripe, or thread applications, with the optical image perfectly registered in the document and with no extra thickness. It is substrate-agnostic, suitable for paper, multi-layer, and polymer banknotes.

Security Levels

The feature addresses multiple verification levels: its vivid, animated diffractive imagery provides an immediately recognisable Level 1 (public) authentication cue, while the precision of its origination and the complexity of its micro-optical structures provide robust resistance to counterfeiting at Levels 2 and 3 (trade and forensic).

Notable Deployments

Alphagram™ protects in particular the €50, €100, €200, and €500 euro banknotes — one of the highest-profile DOVID deployments in the world. For the first series of euro banknotes, Alphagram™ patches were mastered by Hologram Industries (subsequently SURYS, now part of IN Groupe) and applied to the four higher denominations.

Name

ALPHAGRAM™

Category

Security Feature

Effect Types

Diffractive Foil

Company

IN Groupe
Company Website

Product Page

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Linked Features

2 security features