What is Kinegram Technology?
Kinegram technology is a proprietary, non‑holographic diffractive optically variable image device (DOVID) developed and exclusively manufactured by OVD Kinegram AG (a subsidiary of the KURZ Group). Unlike conventional holograms, which are based on publicly known holography, Kinegram technology uses secret, vector‑based nanostructures to create extremely precise optical effects – such as continuous movement, colour shifts, image flips, and fine‑line animations. These features are designed to be both highly secure and intuitively verifiable by the public. Kinegrams are the gold standard for protecting government‑issued documents and are used on passports, ID cards, driver’s licences, visas, banknotes, and tax stamps in over 140 countries worldwide. Holoseal does not manufacture Kinegrams, but we partner with authorised suppliers to integrate them into high‑security documents and labels for government and commercial clients.
🔬 The Core Technology: Vector‑Based Nanostructures
Unlike traditional holograms, which are produced using laser interference patterns that are publicly known, Kinegram technology is based on proprietary vector‑based micro‑ and nanostructures. These structures are not pixelated; they are sharply defined geometric shapes (vectors) with line spacings exceeding 1000 lines per millimetre. This allows for:
- Unprecedented precision – Optical effects can be directed with perfect accuracy, resulting in exceptionally sharp, bright, and well‑defined images.
- Controlled motion effects – Unlike the random colour play of a rainbow hologram, Kinegram effects are completely deterministic and programmable.
- Perfect registration – The nanostructures can be aligned with printed design elements and other security features with micron‑level precision.
The production of a Kinegram is so exact that its light reflections can be directed with unparalleled accuracy, allowing designers to determine the visual appearance of a Kinegram with precision that is unattainable with holographic technology[reference:0].
⚙️ How Kinegram Technology Differs from Traditional Holograms
While both security holograms and the Kinegram are classified as DOVIDs, they are fundamentally different in almost every aspect:
| Aspect | Traditional Hologram | Kinegram Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Base Technology | Publicly known holography (laser interference). Machinery and know‑how are commercially available[reference:1]. | Proprietary, secret, and strictly protected; not commercially available. Offered exclusively to governments[reference:2]. |
| Manufacturing | Produced by many commercial manufacturers worldwide. | Exclusively manufactured in Switzerland and Germany under the highest security conditions[reference:3]. |
| Optical Effects | Unspecific rainbow colour reflections; limited precision in movement effects[reference:4]. | Highly precise, directed movement effects (continuous motion, image flips, colour shifts, fine‑line animations)[reference:5]. |
| Partial Metallisation | Not available. | Enables special partial metallisation technologies for unique visual effects[reference:6]. |
| Design Integration | Restricted ability to combine disparate techniques. | Allows integration of combinations of disparate techniques in one feature, enabling “story‑telling” document designs[reference:7]. |
| Security Level | Medium – vulnerable to counterfeiting due to commercial availability[reference:8]. | Extremely high – virtually impossible to replicate without access to the proprietary technology[reference:9]. |
🛡️ Key Security Features of a Kinegram
Each Kinegram element contains a variety of distinct optical security effects, making verification straightforward and counterfeiting extremely difficult. These include:
- Continuous movements and transformations – Fluid animations that appear to glide across the surface.
- Image flips – Two or more distinct images that switch as the viewing angle changes.
- Colourless features & matte transformations – Subtle effects that are difficult to replicate.
- Fine‑line movements – Intricate patterns of extremely fine lines that create the illusion of motion.
- Rotation‑induced colour shift (RICS) – Colours that change as the document is rotated.
- Virtual 3D surface relief effects – Images that appear to protrude from the surface.
These effects are intuitive to verify – even the untrained eye can instantly recognise the characteristic motion and colour behaviour of a genuine Kinegram. At the same time, they create an insurmountable barrier to counterfeiters because replicating the precise nanostructures is impossible without access to OVD Kinegram’s secret production processes[reference:10].
🌍 Applications and Global Reach
Kinegram security features are strictly reserved for government‑issued documents and banknotes. Their use is prohibited for commercial or decorative applications, which ensures their exclusivity and high security. Key applications include:
- Passports (e‑passports) – Protecting the polycarbonate data page and personalisation.
- National ID cards – Embedded in polycarbonate or paper substrates.
- Driver’s licences – Securing the portrait and personal data.
- Visas and residence permits – Preventing forgery of official travel documents.
- Banknotes – Security threads, patches, or window features with dynamic colour effects.
- Tax stamps – Protecting government revenue on alcohol, tobacco, and other excise products.
OVD Kinegram technology has been chosen by more than 140 countries to protect their most important identity documents and currency[reference:11].
🔐 Advanced Variants: KINEGRAM COLORS® and KINEGRAM DYNAMIC®
OVD Kinegram has developed advanced product lines that build on the core technology:
- KINEGRAM COLORS® – Multiple colours from a wide palette are added to partially metallised foil features. The colours are positioned in perfect register with the partial metallisation, a unique achievement in the banknote industry. This makes the feature extremely difficult to counterfeit and easy for the public to remember[reference:12].
- KINEGRAM DYNAMIC® – Combines micro‑lenses with sophisticated production processes to create deep‑view and dynamic movement effects. These are immediately visible when the banknote is tilted and can be verified at a glance[reference:13].
- KINEGRAM PCI with Full Data Protection (FDP) – A large‑surface, fully transparent Kinegram that protects the entire personalisation area of a passport data page or ID card. It can be embedded in perfect seamless integration with the background print, creating “story‑telling” designs that are intuitive to verify[reference:14].
📱 Digital Verification and Machine Authentication
Kinegram technology supports both human and machine verification. In addition to overt visual checks (tilting, rotating), Kinegram features can be authenticated using:
- Optical Machine Authentication (OMA) – Software solutions that run on standard document readers to automatically authenticate Kinegram structures[reference:15].
- Smartphone verification (KINEGRAM® OPA PROVE) – A mobile app that allows law enforcement and border control to verify the authenticity of Kinegram features in real‑time using a phone camera[reference:16].
- Mobile Scan SDK and Mobile Chip SDK – Software development kits for IT solution providers to integrate remote ID verification into their applications[reference:17].
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Kinegram Technology
- Is a Kinegram the same as a hologram? – No. While both are DOVIDs, Kinegram technology is fundamentally different. It is non‑holographic, based on secret vector‑based nanostructures, and is strictly reserved for government documents[reference:18].
- Can I buy a Kinegram for my consumer product? – No. Kinegram security features are exclusively provided to governments for official documents and banknotes. For commercial brand protection, Holoseal offers other high‑security DOVID technologies.
- How many countries use Kinegram technology? – Over 140 countries worldwide have selected Kinegram technology to protect their passports, ID cards, driver’s licences, and banknotes[reference:19].
- What is the most advanced Kinegram variant? – KINEGRAM PCI with Full Data Protection (FDP) is a highly advanced, large‑surface feature that protects the entire personalisation area of a passport or ID card while enabling “story‑telling” design integration[reference:20].
- How do I verify a Kinegram? – Tilt or rotate the document. A genuine Kinegram will exhibit precise, controlled movement effects (e.g., a rolling bar, rotating star, or image flip) and may show distinct colours that change with angle. For machine verification, use a standard document reader with OMA software or the KINEGRAM OPA PROVE smartphone app.
- Does Holoseal supply Kinegram‑based products? – Holoseal does not manufacture Kinegrams. However, we can facilitate the integration of authorised Kinegram technology into high‑security documents and labels for government clients and authorised security printers. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
