Demetallization
The process when text or design elements are removed from the metallic layer by a laser or chemical erasure and become visible when viewing in transmitted light.
![Great Britain. Passport issued in 2015: data page. Paper substrate](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/1l.webp)
a
![Great Britain. Passport issued in 2015: the same. Number made by foil demetallization. Transmitted light](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/2l.webp)
b
![Great Britain. Passport issued in 2015: the same. Zoomed fragment](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/3l.webp)
c
Fig. 1. Great Britain. Passport issued in 2015:
a — data page. Paper substrate; b — the same. Number made by foil demetallization. Transmitted light; c — the same. Zoomed fragment
![Russian Federation. Passport issued in 2010: data page. Polymer substrate. The Blik security element is marked with a frame](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/4l.webp)
a
![Russian Federation. Passport issued in 2010: the same. View at a right angle of observation and illumination to the document surface. The image on the background is printed in red ink (offset). It is visible through demetallized areas](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/5l.webp)
b
![Russian Federation. Passport issued in 2010: the same. View at an angle of 45°. Holder's portrait](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/6l.webp)
c
![Russian Federation. Passport issued in 2010: the same. Zoomed fragment. The anti-copy pattern and the image are visible through the demetallized areas](https://static-content.regulaforensics.com/Hardware-products/knowledge_hub/glossary_documents/DEMETALLIZATION/7l.webp)
d
Fig. 2. Russian Federation. Passport issued in 2010:
a — data page. Polymer substrate. The Blik security element is marked with a frame; b — the same. View at a right angle of observation and illumination to the document surface. The image on the background is printed in red ink (offset). It is visible through demetallized areas; c — the same. View at an angle of 45°. Holder's portrait; d — the same. Zoomed fragment. The anti-copy pattern and the image are visible through the demetallized areas