Banknote Design Concepts of the Future

Banknotes have changed considerably since De La Rue printed its first paper money for Mauritius in 1860. The adoption of lithography introduced more colourful designs, patterns, and imagery. Security features such as watermarks, polymer windows, threads, novel inks, and applied features then additionally introduced contrasting textures and sheen, movement and complexity.

Today the design innovation within De La Rue considers industry and design trends, pushing the boundaries with new concepts and creating the next wave of engaging and secure banknotes.

Intelligent evolution

Banknotes are functional objects that circulate in a range of conditions and need to interact with machines and people. This drives certain design requirements which in turn influence the aesthetics of the note. You won’t see threads or holograms in the middle of a banknote for instance, because this is a commonly folded area and would lead to accelerated wear.

Given the extensive cash cycle infrastructure for processing banknotes and the deeply entrenched cultural habits around handling banknotes, it is unlikely all the aesthetics of a banknote will change dramatically in a short space of time. Central banks are understandably motivated to ensure the public continue to accept the next iteration of their banknotes. They consistently have an appropriate risk appetite when considering changes.

However, the aesthetics that have been previously restricted by technology or manufacturing processes are evolving to allow more modern and engaging banknotes.

Restrictions due to mechanical processes

Banknote threads and applied stripes run in a straight line from the top to the bottom of the note because of the way they are added during manufacture. There is limited scope to change this, leading to threads that are generally limited to small rectangular windows that run from the top to the bottom of the note.

Applied stripes are more versatile because, despite also being limited to a specific area of the note, their larger area allows for more interesting shapes. Over time complex demetallisation has been used to create intricate foil shapes, with the best designs managing to combine highly secure holographic effects by retaining some larger areas of the foil, as well as aesthetically pleasing demetallisation.

The trend towards more fluid and free-form security features is also being seen with OVI and OVMI inks. These inks allowed movement and colour change effects that are versatile enough to adopt shape of the theme of the banknote. They have appeared on banknotes as security features printed into different shapes, letters, and numbers. This has allowed optically variable features to be linked thematically via their shape.

Collectively threads, stripes and OVI/OVMI inks have all pushed towards more engaging shapes and imagery, albeit with varying design restrictions, including all being included in on distinct part of the note as a single, distinct security feature.

More and more interesting windows

Early developments of windows in paper included features such as De La Rue’s Optiks® and other simple shapes that were die-cut. But polymer has created a new paradigm, with windows allowing for a new approach to design-driven innovation.

Early windows in polymer were used to replace the traditional paper watermark and provided a way to ensure polymer banknotes were familiar to the public. Detailed portraits and imagery assisted with authentication. Over time the polymer windows then evolved to become fully integrated into the design of the note.

Today banknotes like the Bank of Scotland series are circulating with windows in buildings as the actual windows in the banknote. In the Caribbean birds in the window of the note drink from flowers in the gravure print. Many polymer banknotes now have multiple windows.

The new innovative polymer banknote designs are possible because polymer substrate contains multiple layers that combine with the banknote print, which means there are multiple points of interaction to push the boundaries of design thinking and security feature integration.

What will the major features look like in the future?

The trend towards more fluid and free-form shapes is set to continue. New design concepts at De La Rue are considering SAFEGUARD® polymer banknotes with multiple windows and security features distributed across and connecting with those windows. The multiple printed layers allow designers to leverage their experience and knowledge of print to create novel approaches towards aesthetics and integration that challenges conventional wisdom about what is possible.

With our latest design thinking security features are moving beyond a single feature that is identifiable as a standalone feature and a single technology. In our concept designs, different technologies become intertwined and fully integrated into the banknote to create multiple free-form areas of highly secure effects and imagery, with more complex windows.

We know from perception studies that the human brain remembers images well. Integrating different technologies into images and connecting them across the banknote allows for more engaging banknotes and more intuitive authentication. It also widens the gap between what is available commercially and what can be designed for your banknotes.

Watch out for more on De La Rue’s new design concepts over the coming year. The design and integration potential of polymer with security features is significant and we’re only just starting to unlock what’s possible with SAFEGUARD polymer windows.