Specialised printing presses, banknote design software, pre-press solutions, security elements - all these solutions are developed in Lausanne by Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions for the global banknote industry
The number of banknotes in circulation worldwide is increasing every year due to their unique features - security, privacy, accessibility for all and free for the user
To combat counterfeiting, the combination of security features and the development of new, unique processes is crucial, such as SPARK® technology enabled by SICPA inks and Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions' unique screen printing machine
Banknote technology continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of users. Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions offers the first answers to this change
The vast majority of banknotes around the world are created thanks to Swiss technology. Like the special inks produced by SICPA, the sophisticated printing presses, the famous "banknote boards" and all the related solutions (plate making, design, quality control, etc.) are developed by Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (K&B Banknote Solutions) in Lausanne and made available to central banks and private printers for the production of their banknotes. The company is celebrating its 70th anniversary and its presence in Lausanne this year.
At least four printing processes are required to produce a banknote, and eight for the most secure banknotes. The goal, of course, is to make the banknote counterfeit-proof or very complicated to reproduce, while at the same time making it easy to print with these machines.
8 steps and infinitely more
A banknote like the Swiss franc is produced in eight printing steps. A first offset printing gives the colour with the only machine in the world that can print front and back at the same time (simultaneous offset printing). This is followed by screen printing with the desired motifs, then the application of foil and a microperforation process, all of which provide additional security. In the fifth step, the relief of the banknote is produced, which is also a security feature (intaglio), in the sixth step the banknotes are numbered and in the seventh step a varnish is applied. In the final step, the finished bundles are cut and packaged.
Before these processes, however, the design of the banknote must be developed and the plates, without which the printing machines cannot print, must be produced. In addition, the sheets are inspected during or after each process to ensure perfect quality at the end of the production chain.
Safety first
It is obvious that the security of a banknote depends on the visible and invisible elements it contains. From watermarks to security threads, from paper quality to ink quality, from hidden elements to those that are only visible from a certain angle, the numerous combined possibilities offer an almost infinite range of options for personalising the money. In collaboration with SICPA, K&B Banknote Solutions has even developed a printing process and magnetic inks, now known worldwide as SPARK®, to combat counterfeiting through unique processes and consumables.
Security is also ensured by the software developed specifically for the company by AGFA and K&B Banknote Solutions. They enable the management of engraving, origination, i.e. the design of the banknotes consists only of lines, and the preparation of files for the production of printing plates.
Everything is made in Europe
Lausanne is the heart of K&B Banknote Solutions' activities. The company building houses, among other things, sales, product development and product management, the design of the banknotes and the production of the printing plates, as well as logistics and marketing. In Germany, the buildings in Würzburg and Bielefeld are responsible for engineering and services. The assembly of the machines takes place in Mödling in Austria.
Not all countries in the world have their own presses and some outsource jobs to private partners. But all printing presses in operation worldwide today require training, maintenance and possible updates, which are carried out by the specialists at K&B Banknote Solutions.
Banknotes are alive
To the surprise of many, and despite the digitalisation of bank accounts and other transactions via the internet, the banknote is on the rise worldwide. Every year, a production increase of 2 to 3 percent is recorded. The reasons for this are manifold. The banknote offers its user the greatest independence and freedom. Worldwide, 1.6 billion people do not have a bank account. The currency also offers unrivalled security in terms of protecting data collected by digital actors and their sometimes dubious use. In addition, the banknote does not come with any fees. Worldwide, 75 per cent of person-to-person payments are made in cash.
www.koenig-bauer.com
