I work with databases and form generation for a living as a Human Resources Information Systems Administrator.
A "Photo Copy" is when you have an existing form (or letter, or receipt, or transcript, etc.) that is placed on a copier and an image is taken by scanning the document and printing an exact reproduction.
"Printing" occurs when paper stock (plan white, colored, or paper with a security background) is loaded into a paper tray and the printer (could be ink jet, but these days are almost always laser) prints the required information and graphics by depositing micro-sized beads of toner on the paper through and electrostatic transfer process. The toner is then heated to a melting point and fused into the paper.
You referred to the documents as "Photo Copies" they are not, as they are not reproductions of an existing document with the information already contained on an original that was scanned to do the printing. The documents were printed by a computer system onto blanks and all the black areas were printed not copied, including the black seal (to differentiate between that seal and the embossed one during certification).
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Exactly how do you know those documents are not photocopies?
For any large organization, this type of data is on computer systems now instead of maintaining physical files. That provides a couple of advantages.
1. Greatly reduced storage space. Instead of having rooms and rooms full of shelves with paper boxes (a fire hazard btw), the information is transcribed into a database and stored electronically. You can get millions of records on a single terrabyte drive that takes up the size of a paperback or small hardback book.
2. Secondly, electronic storage provides for much safer long term storage because the original storage medium can be "backed up" (a duplicate made) for off site storage. If there were a fire in the storeroom with paper storage it all literally turns to ashes (fire) or paper mache (water damage trying to put out the fire). By electronically storing the information it can automatically be backed up off site to a secure secondary location so that even if the primary work site is destroyed (fire, tornado, hurricane, etc.) the data can be restored from the backup.
They had to be copied to be on the internet.
They original of each was not a photocopy, they were printed. They may had to be scanned to put on the web. But the ones issued by the State of Hawaii in physical form were not photocopies.
The news reporter in toro video called the document she had a photocopy.
She didn't have an original.
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