Attila points out some great notes on the new issue Cali DL (August 26, 2001)

On the Counterfiet Library Message Board (website) I have discovered a post that is pure gold when it comes to information about the new issue 2001 California DL. Before this post gets lost in the back logs of the message board, I thought it would be a good thing to put the information on here.

"I just got my new CA DL, the new style.

1) I never got one of the 99-01 cards, mine was early 99, so I can't directly compare this one to the last.

2) It's pretty thin and flimsy, .030" thick.

3) The gold interference "holos" only go across the top, a single row of state seals and DMV emblems.

4) There is microprinting. The DMV logos in the top left and right corners, blue on yellow stripes - the top blue stripe is actually the words "CALIFORNIA DMV CALIFOR CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA" This type is in the same blue color as the main, large CALIFORNIA in the top center, but the microprinting is very small, in the range of 1/100 inch. That would make it about 1 (one) point type. It is all caps, sanserif, and looks like the same font as the words "DRIVER LICENSE" in the center top.

Also there are 3 circles around the state seal, the inner two are a rope pattern.

5) Other than the gold interference holos, there doesn't appear to be any optically variable ink.

6) Under a microscope, the dot pattern of the printing becomes very apparent. It is at a very fine resolution, but it is not continuous tone.

7) Under normal light, including sunlight, the UV images of the CA flag are completely invisible. I dont have a UV light yet, so I can't comment, but I would think they could be done with a silk screen or some kind of rubber stamp setup, as long as you can keep registration.

8) On the back there is a rough area, like a signature area. In the rough area it says "Address Change:" One could duplicate the roughened effect by using sandpaper, but I'm not sure one could get the "address change" to print on top of the rough area. If it were beneath the rough area I think it would look different. Any thoughts?

I believe this document could be accurately duplicated with a high end inkjet printer, but the resolution would have to be extraordinary. The microprinting is beyond the reach of most inkjet, laser and alps printers. However, you can't read the microprinting without at least a magnifying glass, and probably a loup, so the end use will have to be considered."

-Attila

After this post, Attila came back and had this to say:

"As you've seen from the DMV scan that's online, the background and photos are covered by several sets of concentric circles, like bullseyes. A couple of the sets are blue, a couple are yellow. In the yellow sets, there are a couple of red circles.

The red circles are microprinting. They say CALIFORNIADMVCALIFORNIADMV......

I got a better measurement of their size, and the microprinted blue CALIFORNIA DMV across the top. They measure .008" or half a point. If you assume that you have to have a 12x12 matrix or more to make up a letter, you're looking at at least 1200 DPI to even make an attempt, and I wouldn't be sure you could do it till you were at 2400x2400. The best resolution I've seen is Epson at 2880x720, does anyone know of any better?"

-Attila

Thanks Attila for the fantastic information.