The UTSCH license plate: putting our stamp on development.

At first glance, it might seem a simple process: a piece of aluminium is coated with a foil, mechanically formed and then inked in black...

... but as is often the case, the amazing bit is in the detail: Minimal manufacturing tolerances, optimum material properties and a high level of patented engineering make it possible to make a sophisticated product from a supposedly everyday object such as the licence plate - something for which UTSCH has set worldwide standards for its perfection and further development.

How UTSCH licence plates represent a secure document.

Because of their use, vehicle license plates are particularly exposed. Attached to the front and rear of a vehicle, they are easily accessible to anyone on an everyday basis and therefore vulnerable to manipulation and fraud.

To make life harder for potential criminals, the last two decades UTSCH has continually introduced new security features to make individual license plates completely unique and unmistakable. Some of these features are invisible to the naked eye and can only be detected with the use of special equipment.

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Typical elements include coats of arms, holograms, holographic hot stamping foil, laser engraving, coding and UV marking. Attempts to imitate or forge these features would be so complex (if even possible) that the supposed benefit would be outweighed by the technical complexity and cost involved.

By using the security features below, UTSCH guarantees that license plates offer the same consistent level of security as other official documents such as identity cards, passports and banknotes:

FE type

Anti-fraud FE type is designed to prevent the registration number on the license plate from being optically manipulated. The shape and proportion of each character and number is designed such that any modification is immediately obvious.

The uniqueness of the FE type also supports camera-based vehicle detection.

Holograms

Holograms can be individually designed and enhanced with a wide range of security features such as microtext, nanotext and tilt effects.

The separately produced holograms (partially individualized by means of laser treatment) are tamper-proofed tied to the licence plate blank in its production process.

Hot stamping foil with security inscription

The foil used to ink the license plate during hot stamping can be enhanced with an individual inscription with diffractive structures.

The incidence of light reacts to these structures with color splitting (just as in the rainbow) and as a result, creates an iridescent color impression.

Coat of arms and UV Marker

Individual emblems or coats of arms can also be applied to the retro-reflective foil through screen- or digital printing. A coat of arms underlines the official character of a license plate.

The high quality of UTSCH printing is immediately obvious.

Individual areas or elements of the registration plate can be additionally printed with weatherproof inorganic “down-converting pigments”. These pigments glow green (when illuminated with a suitable UV source invisible to the human eye).

This hidden security element (also familiar from bank notes) thus allows quick and secure checking of authenticity directly on the vehicle by security forces.

Laser treatment

A suitable means for increasing the tamper-proof security of license plates are markings that are introduced under the coating with a laser beam. These can be applied in such a way that they are only visible at a certain angle, making any attempt to counterfeit a license plate more difficult.

Coat of arms laser marking
Laser watermark

Coat of arms laser marking

The coat of arms applied using screen- or digital printing can be repeated as a laser marking within the license plate.

Laser watermark

Continuous markings in the film ('laser watermarks') can be represented positively or inverted.

Individualizing markings (Bar- and 2D codes)

Already in the production process of the license plate blanks, features are introduced which clearly identify each plate. Through this, complete traceability is ensured, from the production of the blanks to the registration of the vehicle.

License plates can be provided with different codes, depending on the customer requirements.

2D-Code
Serial number
Reverse barcode

2D-Code

A two-dimensional code contains a wide range of data to ensure that only admissible registration numbers are embossed and only certified license plates are issued.

The code usually provides a logical link between the front, rear and (if available) third license plate, as well as the vehicle documents. Hence, the code can be used in the registration respectively de-registration process.

The Data Matrix Code (DMC) shown here is such a two-dimensional code, which is introduced to the license plate by printing or laser treatment on the front and/or rear side.

A Data Matrix code can easily be read using a variety of reading devices, including a smartphone (“machine readability of the license plate”).

Serial number

A serial number allows (for example via a database query) a quick comparison whether the registration number fits the license plate.

Reverse barcode

A barcode on the backside of the license plate enables a quick registration, simply by scanning. As such, manual entry errors are avoided.

Reverse stamps

UTSCH stands for high quality standards and documents this with stamps on the back side of the license plate:

DIN-Stamp
With the DIN-stamp, UTSCH confirms that the blank corresponds to DIN 74069.

ERUT-Stamp
The in-house ERUT (= ERich UTsch) stamp shows easily comprehensible the production date of the blank.

Optimised, qualified, certified and reliable

As a provider of official documents, UTSCH is subject to a regular inspection by German authorities. In addition, in its services and the processing of material, UTSCH employs the high standards set by ISO certification.

In all manufacturing steps, only materials from selected and well-known suppliers with the highest quality standards are used. The vehicle license plates manufactured on systems developed and constructed in house undergo thorough quality assurance to make sure that only tested and reliable products find their way to the customer.

An innovative pioneer in technology

From the introduction of retro-reflective film on license plates (for better visibility in the dark) to anti-fraud FE type (to prevent manipulation) and the environmentally friendly solvent-free hot stamping technique for inking the registration number, UTSCH has continually pioneered new technologies for the rest of the industry.

And we are continuing to put our stamp on development, for example with innovative security technology for vehicle license plates and tailor-made, modular systems and individual solutions.

Please contact us for details

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