I began my research into polymer banknotes, the benefits of which are great in comparison to paper notes. They are less easily damaged (have to be replaced/produced less often & are better for the environment), can allow for security features paper cannot and they can be printed using metameric inks. Polymer banknotes are currently in circulation in Brunei, New Zealand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Vietnam, Fiji, Mauritius, and Canada. Cape Verde, Chile, The Gambia, Nicaragua, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago and the Maldives.
Within my banknote design stock is something I should definitely consider, but I also need to consider how the final outcome can be produced using college resources; each consideration expands and constrains my design.
Metameric ink isn't something available to me but this doesnt mean other interesting inks cannot be considered in my production (heat effected, light effected, glow in the dark etc.)
This is an example of thermochromic ink; the use of such ink on a bank note would be an effective security feature. The re-production of colour changing bank notes would be incredibly difficult to fake, it would make note checking in shops much easier than the current uv light method. It would also create a design people could be proud and interested in upon their money.
Research into the current security features of the UK banknotes will allow me to consider features needed when printing money.
The bank notes undergo many production features to include all of the security features. Considerations into stock, print method, finishing (letterpress, embossing, holograms, uv ink) have all been carefully made to produce something that cannot be easily re-created.
The print process for UK bank notes currently includes 3 elements of production
~ Offset litho
~ Intaglio
~ Letterpress
Offset Litho – the printing plates transfer the ink to the paper via an intermediate offset roller. This process is used to print most of the front and back of the note except for the portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, the lettering and the numbering. Offset printing involves a number of separate plates with different colours superimposed in close register to produce high quality clearly defined images.
Intaglio – this process is used to add the portrait of Her Majesty the Queen and the raised print on the front of the note. The ink rests in grooves engraved in the printing plate. When the plate comes into contact with the paper the ink is forcibly ‘drawn’ from the plate onto the paper under very high pressure. This produces the raised print which is one of the characteristics that gives Bank of England notes their distinctive feel.
Letterpress – this process is used for the cypher and serial numbers on the front of the note. Ink is transferred onto raised letters and digits which are then printed onto the note.
Due to my banknote design being produced within college using their resources I am limited to certain processes. Lithograph printing isn't available to me but inkjet is and could act as a replacement of this. Intaglio is something also not available to be but similar effects can be produced using etching, lino-cutting and embossing. Letterpress is available to me and is something I will consider using as part of my production and design.
This image shows a concept for the design of the Hungarian bank note by Barbara Bernat. Rather than showing iconic human figures like most bank notes it depicts animals, each animal increasing in size dependent on the notes value.
The notes have been produced using copper etching, this produces intricate and bespoke designs upon each note. The use of etching creates a design that is beautiful and also difficult to reproduce.
To ensure security a UV ink layer has also been applied to allow the notes be checked for fakes. This concept is a brilliant example of how the bank note could be re-designed to be visually stunning yet still effective in being secure and not easily faked. This concept opens up to the idea of having an alternate figure upon the notes (other than the queen).
An example of alternate figures celebrated on our money is on the limited edition coins put into circulation in 2016. The coins feature figures/icons such as Shakespeare and Beatrix Potter; the celebration of acchivements and people who have made the UK proud is a really interesting an new concept that could be taken to the next level on our banknotes.
The figure I choose for my banknote will not be the Queen; possibly depict people (activists) that have helped push for equality within the UK, artists, buildings/landmarks that make the UK a brilliant and diverse place or acchivements that have changed the way we live.
http://travispurrington.com/211378/2317660/gallery/2014-usd-proposal
This concept by Travis Purrington depicts elements of the US that show the American dream in practice; the notes are about pride and accomplishment. This is something I think our current notes lack, the depiction of the Queen doesnt allow us to fully show our pride in our country.
A brilliant example of how money has been re-created and thought of in a new way is the Brixton pound. It's a currency that can only be used in independent buisness and shops in Brixton. The idea behind it being to promote and streghten these shops rather than large cooperations. Its a brilliant way to promote the sense of community. Each note depicts icons and figures that have come from Brixton or impacted the people their in some way.
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