Data carrier with a printed security element and gravure production method thereof

A printing plate (8), preferably intaglio printing plate, with a security printed image (1) consisting of a plurality of contrasting structural elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 22) disposed in exact register, the structural elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 22) being present in the form of depressions (9, 10) in the printing plate (8) and a first part of said structural elements (3, 4, 5, 7) having such a great engraving depth (b) that the structural elements (3, 4, 5, 7) are relieflike and tactile after the printing operation, and the second part of the structural elements (2, 22) having a smaller engraving depth (a) so that the structural elements (2, 22) are flat and nontactile after the printing operation.

A method for producing a data carrier with a security printed image produced by intaglio printing and composed of a plurality of contrasting structural elements, wherein said structural elements are disposed in exact register and one part of said structural elements is designed to be relieflike and tactile and one part of the structural elements flat and nontactile.

A method for producing a security element consisting of a security printed image produced by intaglio printing and composed of a plurality of contrasting structural elements, wherein said structural elements are disposed in exact register and one part of said structural elements is designed to be relieflike and tactile and one part of the structural elements flat and nontactile.