Security element with motif-forming liquid-crystal layer

A method of producing a security element for safeguarding of articles of value, having a motif layer composed of liquid-crystalline material designed and intended for creation of a latent motif, wherein the method comprises

• applying a first embossing varnish layer to a carrier film for formation of an alignment layer for homogeneous orientation of a liquid-crystalline material;
• providing the first embossing varnish layer with an embossment in order to form a second latent motif by creation of at least two regions with alignment structures of different orientation, and curing the embossing varnish;
• applying a motif layer based on a nematic liquid-crystalline material in the form of a first latent motif in regions directly to the first embossing varnish layer and in an overlapping arrangement with the regions that form the second latent motif, where the liquid-crystalline material is aligned with different homogeneous orientation by virtue of the alignment structures of the motif-forming regions;
• curing the liquid-crystalline material by exposure to radiation;
• and
• applying a single- or multilayer second embossing varnish layer to the carrier film having the motif layer over the full area, providing the second embossing varnish layer with an embossment to create a microoptical relief structure, and then providing it with a reflection-increasing coating.