Invisible UV anti-counterfeit watermarks ensure the huge exercise in Philippine’s democracy is as fair as the printing industry can make it.
Three Océ ColorStream 3700 are more than halfway through the task, banging away 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Quezon City, producing a massive 1.2 million ballot papers per day to reach a tight 62-day printing deadline. The Philippine National Printing Office has to deliver the massive number of ballot papers, using over 1600 tonnes of paper, to over 100 regions for the 2013 mid-term elections by 13 May. The P780 million (AUD$18.3 million) contract was awarded to the Holy Family Printing Corp and Canon Marketing Philippines.
Each ballot paper incorporates the latest Océ security printing technology using invisible ink. When counted the 25-inch long ballot papers will be scanned with UV readers to eliminate any forgeries.
The enormous number of variables – across the 100 plus regions there are 18,022 national and local positions to decide – meant that digitally printed ballot papers were essential. The three twin ColorStream 3700 print on 160 gsm woodfree paper using CMYK plus the invisible UV security ink.
According to Robert Koeckeis, director business development, Asia-Pacific, Océ Printing Systems, the huge project has taken over six months to get up and running. He points to it as a trailblazer in security printing in the region and sees the technology having use in many different applications such as examination papers.
The invisible ink is one of six different security levels. The Océ systems also make use of micro printing, MICRA, pantographs – where once invisible warnings reappear when a document is copied – as well as fugitive ink that smudges if there is any attempt to alter the print with certain solvents.
The Philippine’s election is seen as a test not only of the reliability and robustness of the ColorStream printing systems but also of the security of the ballot papers. In a further attempt to bring the voting system into the 21st century voters will have to write their names – thumbprints on the ballot will no longer be accepted.