In my research on tracking dots, we only ever saw them produced by laser printers (and some more obscure professional processes), not inkjet printers. It appears that the governments' pressure on printer manufacturers over this was focused on color laser printers and not color inkjets.
We have still not, as far as I know, learned what the governments threatened the manufacturers with or what they offered to them in order to get them to cooperate.
I find that rather surprising, given the claim that the goal is preventing counterfeiting - wouldn't only inkjet printers have a chance of producing an even remotely credible counterfeit? Laser printer printouts that I saw looked incredibly glossy.
Laser printers absolutely could have produced "close enough" counterfeit of some currencies...like 10 years ago.
Reasons why it's laser and not inkjet:
- Crisp edges on fine details
- Consistent colors
- Consistent alignment
Remeber, we're talking about "EURion constellation" that was in use at least since 1996. Also, remeber we're talking about regular consumer printers: consumer laser printers > consumer inkjet. I guess also remember that not ever banknote is a US dolar?
> Remeber, we're talking about "EURion constellation" that was in use at least since 1996.
That's a different measure! It's detected by some software in photocopiers or software used in conjunction with scanners, not produced by printers.
The other reason I had thought why inkjets were considered a lesser concern for counterfeiting is that the documents they produce will traditionally smear if they get wet, which doesn't seem like a very desirable property in counterfeit currency and documents. Maybe over time they've tended to use more permanent inks, though.
We have still not, as far as I know, learned what the governments threatened the manufacturers with or what they offered to them in order to get them to cooperate.