This innovation incorporates two latent image lines, rather than one. When combined, they create an institutionally specific "fingerprint" that incorporates the institutional name along with the word VOID or COPY. When an authentic transcript is photocopied, the latent image reveals the word COPY on one line and the name of the institution on the second line. This important security feature distinguishes institutionally issued transcripts from bogus documents created from generic transcript paper purchased on the Internet.

If the latent warning images of "COPY" or "VOID" are readily visible prior to photocopying, it will seriously compromise the latent image transcript security feature and confuse the recipient. You should consider rejecting a transcript order if the latent warning image is readily visible and already appears to be a photocopied document.

While a few registrars continue to use a mechanical signature on plain white paper, most of the profession has migrated to pre-printed and secured signatures on secured transcript paper that make unauthorized reproduction more difficult.

While the older transcript signature practices have become risky, they have been replaced with a number of effective alternatives. The most effective option includes a pre-printed white signature that appears over a screened image of the institutional seal. The image of the signature and seal are distorted when photocopied. SignaSEAL™ was invented by SCRIP-SAFE ®, so registrars could avoid the second step of running transcripts through a manual validator after printing.

It is important that transcript recipients are informed that a white signature is official and that a raised seal is not required. This information should be printed in or around the signature field. Best of all, once transcripts are printed, they are complete and ready to be mailed.

When photocopied both the authorized signature and seal are distorted.

Over the counter photocopier papers generally do not contain passive security features. SCRIP-SAFE® security papers are chemically and photo reactive to allow document verification when necessary. If an official institutional transcript is touched with fresh liquid bleach the paper stains. When it is scanned with a UV light, different colored florescent fibers embedded into the paper will fluoresce.

Under tremendous pressure to speed up delivery, the USPS is aggressively enforcing their scan/read rules. This means that "background clutter" (that's how the USPS views a VOID/COPY latent image in "their" field) may cause mail to be delayed or rejected. A new feature offered by SCRIP-SAFE® avoids this problem. POSTALBOXX™ is both a security feature and a concession to the USPO. This feature allows the USPO to scan the address on your transcript without "seeing" any pixel clutter while alerting the user to alteration or photocopying.

POSTALBOX® is located in the print field where the address will appear. That area is lightly colored so that it can not be "seen" by the USPS during their sorting process. If the transcript is photocopied, however, the colored field disappears, leaving a notably colorless area.

CAN-SCAN™ is another security feature introduced by SCRIP-SAFE® to thwart the alteration of official transcripts. This is a two step process: first, the institutional seal is printed in light ink and located in the center of the document. Secondly, the name of the institution is printed in small white type over the face of the entire document. Because they are screened (lightly printed) they tend to distort or disappear when photocopied.

SCRIP-SAFE® has designed a special series of envelopes for enhancing document security. First, these special envelopes provide the recipient with a clear description of transcript security features and how to verify the transcript. This information is printed on the reverse side of the envelope. The second feature includes the name of the institution printed on the inside of the envelope; indeed, it can virtually match the appearance of the transcript with the name of the printed and repeated several times. Because this security feature is customized for each institution, it is a little more expensive, but this step closes the security loop left open by a traditional envelope that can be easily imitated and joined with a well designed and technology enhanced bogus transcript.

The genuine watermark is the single most important security paper feature used to prevent the unauthorized duplication or alteration of official transcripts. Transcript verification is as simple as holding the transcript toward a light source and viewing the translucent images built into the fiber of the transcript paper. Only genuine watermarks are viewable from either side of the paper transcript. They are translucent and cannot be photocopied.
SCRIP-SAFE® offers its own genuine “global” watermark with each and every order. If you see translucent “globes” on both sides of the transcript, it is authentic. Genuine watermarked papers are strictly controlled by paper mills and available to a very limited number of approved security printers. These security precautions are necessary because watermarked papers are used for currencies, stock certificates and other high value documents, including your academic transcript. SCRIP-SAFE® is an approved security printer and guarantees that each transcript will carry the same genuine global watermark each time transcripts are reordered.

Because genuine watermarks are expensive, other printers have created imitation watermarks that are less expensive to produce but offer no security protection. Imitation watermarks are not translucent and cannot be viewed from both sides of the document because they are printed with ink on just one side of the transcript. Genuine Global watermarks are translucent and included into the paper fiber when it is manufactured at the paper mill.