The Fine Print

Microprint is an anti-counterfeiting technique typically used on currency and bank checks, as well as various other items of value. Microprinting involves printing very small text, usually too small to read with the naked eye, onto the item. Microprint is often placed in an inconspicuous location.

Microprinting works as an anti-counterfeiting feature by using microscopically small text. It is very difficult to reproduce accurately when attempting to counterfeit the item on which it is printed. When the item is placed in a photocopier or computer scanner, a line of microprint text appears to the copier or scanner as just a dotted line.

Looking through the database of stamp in Marka Ukrainy, I noted that in 2001 they added a new field, titled "protection." The most common types of protection listed include UV flourescence, microprint and safety paper.

Left - Hollyhock definitive Cyrillic "B" 1 April 2001 marked the debut of the fifth series of definitive stamps featuring alphabetic "floating" values. Besides ultraviolet luminescence, each stamp also featured a microprint negative of the value in two locations. Right Close-up (2400 dpi) view of the "B"