SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCT, SECURITY ELEMENT, METHODS OF PRODUCING THEM AND DOCUMENT OF VALUE

A method of producing a semi-finished product with at least one liquid crystal security feature comprises the steps of unrolling and transporting a continuous film (12) in a transporting direction and providing on the continuous film (12) a liquid crystal layer (14) containing at least one substance whose absorption of polarized light depends on its orientation, such as a dichroic dye. The method further comprises at least one of (A) prior to providing the liquid crystal layer (14), arranging a lacquer layer (13) on the continuous film (12), embossing the lacquer layer (13) to provide a first alignment structure, and at least partly covering the embossed lacquer layer (13) with the liquid crystal layer (14), wherein the first alignment structure is arranged to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer (14) to align only in a first direction in first regions (41) and only in a second direction, which is essentially orthogonal to the first direction, in second regions (43), and (B) embossing the liquid crystal layer (14) while the liquid crystal layer is in an uncured state to provide a second alignment structure, wherein the second alignment structure is arranged to cause liquid crystal molecules to align only in a third direction in third regions (51) and only in a fourth direction, which is essentially orthogonal to the third direction, in fourth regions (53). At least one of the first direction and the third direction is arranged to deviate from the transporting direction by an angle of between 20° and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, especially preferably 45°.