Alan Newman
De La Rue - Currency Product Director

Friday, December 17, 2021

Categories
Banknotes

Holograms: Eye-Catching, Distinctive and Secure

An example of a combinational hologram. The top section is originated using direct-write lithography, incorporating Spotlight™ (Thomas de la Rue logo, that appears to rotate about a vertical pivot above and below the plane of the hologram) and surrounded by PureImage™ (bringing the pattern work of Crystal Palace to life with dynamic movement). The middle section is a classical hologram, featuring an RGB portrait of Thomas de la Rue, microtext and the number 1 with depth and parallax effects. The bottom section also uses direct-write lithography and brings the Onoto pen to life with pseudo-relief combined with achromatic colour.

An example of a combinational hologram. The top section is originated using direct-write lithography, incorporating Spotlight™ (Thomas de la Rue logo, that appears to rotate about a vertical pivot above and below the plane of the hologram) and surrounded by PureImage™ (bringing the pattern work of Crystal Palace to life with dynamic movement). The middle section is a classical hologram, featuring an RGB portrait of Thomas de la Rue, microtext and the number 1 with depth and parallax effects. The bottom section also uses direct-write lithography and brings the Onoto pen to life with pseudo-relief combined with achromatic colour.

At the latest count a third of all banknotes contain a diffractive feature, in the form of a patch, stripe or thread, 327 to be precise. According to Frank van der Horst of the DNB in his presentation at last month's Holography Conference, the feature is the second best in public recognition terms after watermarks – which makes one wonder why the other two thirds of banknotes don’t use one!