A security element comprising a first and a second pattern PAT1 and PAT2, which are formed in or on a substrate, the first pattern PAT1 being formed by a first material INK1 applied to a first region of the substrate, the second pattern PAT2 being formed by a second material INK2 applied to a second region of the substrate, said first and second regions of the substrate overlapping, wherein - a part of the first pattern PAT1 overlaps with a part of said second pattern PAT2 so that there are three areas recognizable: an area wherein PAT1, but not PAT2 is provided, an area wherein PAT2, but not PAT1 is provided, and an area wherein both PAT1 and PAT2 are provided, - the first material INK1 comprises a first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1, which upon excitation by electromagnetic radiation falling within an excitation wavelength range λ1a of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in at least one first emission wavelength range λ1e, and - the second material INK2 comprises a second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2, which upon excitation by electromagnetic radiation falling within an excitation wavelength range λ2a of the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2 is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in at least one second emission wavelength range λ2e, and - said first emission wavelength range λ1e of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 overlaps with the excitation wavelength range λ2a of the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2, so that upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation within the excitation wavelength range λ1a of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2 is excited, in the area of overlap of the patterns, to emit electromagnetic radiation in the emission wavelength range λ2e. - a part of the first pattern PAT1 overlaps with a part of said second pattern PAT2 so that there are three areas recognizable: an area wherein PAT1, but not PAT2 is provided, an area wherein PAT2, but not PAT1 is provided, and an area wherein both PAT1 and PAT2 are provided, - the first material INK1 comprises a first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1, which upon excitation by electromagnetic radiation falling within an excitation wavelength range λ1a of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in at least one first emission wavelength range λ1e, and - the second material INK2 comprises a second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2, which upon excitation by electromagnetic radiation falling within an excitation wavelength range λ2a of the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2 is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in at least one second emission wavelength range λ2e, and - said first emission wavelength range λ1e of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 overlaps with the excitation wavelength range λ2a of the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2, so that upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation within the excitation wavelength range λ1a of the first luminescent dye or pigment DYE1 the second luminescent dye or pigment DYE2 is excited, in the area of overlap of the patterns, to emit electromagnetic radiation in the emission wavelength range λ2e.