A slide fastener according to the invention includes a left-and-right pair of first and second fastener stringers, a box pin provided on the first fastener stringer, an insert pin provided on the second fastener stringer, and a pair of first and second sliders. The opaque passivation layer can be made from an organic or inorganic material, such as acrylic. The instant invention provides a plastic paper substitute having various indicia associated therewith including visible and hidden indicia.