Watermarks
Wide selection of state-of-the-art designs: As one of the most recognisable and familiar security features on a banknote, watermarks must make it easy for anyone to spot a forgery attempt. That’s where Louisenthal comes in. Our engineers have developed production processes that ensure our watermarks are true to the original design with all its attractive detail – and virtually impossible to counterfeit. Why? Because our watermarks are created during the papermaking process – they’re not simply printed on the note – so they are part of the substrate itself. Our Multitone watermarks can be combined with Pixel and HighLight watermark variants and provide an even greater level of aesthetic appeal and security.
Multitone Cylinder Mould Watermarks
Louisenthal R&D specialists and engineers excel in their mastery of sophisticated cylinder mould technologies. These ensure the papermaking machine deposits paper fibres in different densities during manufacture. Together with gradual transitions between the various areas, the process results in an attractive three-dimensional effect with multiple nuances of light and shade embedded in the paper – as shown here with the lion’s head – and that makes counterfeiting extremely difficult.
Pixel Watermarks
What are pixel watermarks exactly? They’re comprised of a regular or irregular matrix of dark-coloured dots on a light background, as you can see here in the silhouette of Africa. You can choose the shape of the light background and have it form part of the design by echoing the main watermark motif. The result: our pixel watermarks are extremely difficult for forgers to copy, yet give designers free rein for their creativity and can reproduce the tiniest details in, say, a portrait photo or original artwork.
HighLight Watermarks
HighLight watermarks are very effective for portraying the value of a banknote denomination or specific design elements. When held up to the light, numbers or characters appear as accentuated elements within the watermark design. HighLight watermarks are created during papermaking by reducing the paper thickness to produce very light areas that increase the visibility of particular design elements. A good example is the lettering of the word Africa within the watermark.
HighLight watermarks are very effective for portraying the value of a banknote denomination or specific design elements. When held up to the light, numbers or characters appear as accentuated elements within the watermark design. HighLight watermarks are created during papermaking by reducing the paper thickness to produce very light areas that increase the visibility of particular design elements. A good example is the lettering of the word Africa within the watermark.
Explore our Watermarks
Our 360° view shows how the watermark, one of the best-known and most effective security elements on banknotes, can be integrated into banknote design.
