Have you ever wondered how banknotes are printed? We visited the DeLaRue printworks in Essex where banknotes are produced!

This fun-packed day included a trip to the factory to see the stages that produce a banknote, lunch, a visit to the Bank of England Museum in London and tea with Andrew Bailey, the new Chief Cashier (whose signature is on all new notes now being printed)!

DID YOU KNOW...?
We all love spending money, but how many of you think about checking if your notes are actually the real thing, and not just fakes or ‘counterfeits’??? Here are some clues:

Banknotes are produced on cotton based paper. This gives them their unique, crisp feel.

A technique called Intaglio produces a raised ink effect - this makes the words ‘Bank of England’ (on the front of notes) feel rough.

Banknotes have a metallic thread woven into them that appears as a silver broken line on the back of the note, but as a dark line when held up to the light.

Every note has a watermark showing a portrait of the Queen. This is more noticeable when the note is held up to the light. Look and see!

There’s a hologram on £5, £10 and £20 notes - when tilted to the light you’ll see an image of Britannia or the value of the note as a figure... if you look closely you will also see lots of small numbers around the edge of the foil.

To find out loads more about banknotes visit
www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes

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