Print Analysis

In groups, we have analysed different types of print, in terms of the process used, special finishes etc. To help us with the analysis we had a linen tester, which is a magnifying glass with a scale, and they are used to look at the quality of fabric...

Twenty Pound Note:

- Process:

Some of the images used on other bank notes are engraved by hand on metal plates 'whilst others are created using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) system and are drawn onto film by a laserbeam. When finished, the images are duplicated many times onto printed plates ready for the presses. Specialised inks used to produce the notes are also manufactured on site; approximately 85 are required for the four denominations' .

There are three processes used for bank note printing: Offset Litho, Intaglio, Letterpress.

From examining the note, I believe the letterpress is for the type, as some of the lettering is raised.

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.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.

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/about/production.htm

- Stock:

The stock is a special paper that combines linen and cotton with a gsm of about 80 to 90, the combination of linen and cotton is for durability.
' Using copious amounts of water, the cotton is broken down into individual fibres and reformed into reels of paper of the quality required.The watermark design is engraved in wax and, like the metallic thread, the image is incorporated into the paper at the manufacturing stage.

- Format:

British bank notes are all of a standard format. The smallest note is a £5, then the next size up is the £10 note then the £20 and £50.

- Specials:

Raised print, Texture of Paper, Holographic strip, Fluorescent features, Microlettering - all of these features are to make it as difficult as possible to create counterfeit notes.

- Target:

The audience is anyone residing or staying in the UK, maybe even people who collect money.

- Quantity:

Very high production rate, by the millions.

- Competition:

Other currencies?