Meet the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the hidden workshop where crisp US bills are crafted
Not Paper: Cotton Linen Blend
US currency isn’t made of paper—it’s a mix of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why bills endure washes and wear.
Designs: Symbols of History
Each note showcases a notable figure on the front and a famous American monument or landmark on the back. The design phase often spans years.
Approval & Precision
The Treasury Secretary greenlights final designs, which are then meticulously engraved in steel by specialists.
Engraving Plates & Preservation
Engraved steel plates are soaked in deionized water and coated with potassium bichromate to resist corrosion and enable ultra-fine printing
Security Inks
The inks used have advanced features—magnetic, color-shifting, and specialized properties—all to thwart counterfeiters. Green was chosen intentionally to make forgery harder
Printing & Drying
Once printed, currency sheets undergo a slow 72-hour drying cycle to ensure stability and durability.
Quality Assurance
After drying, every sheet is rigorously inspected—physically and mechanically—to ensure perfect prints and secure anti-fraud features.
Finishing Touches
Approved sheets are precisely cut into individual bills, bundled, packaged, and sent to the Federal Reserve for distribution.
A Woman on the Bill
Currency has featured Martha Washington before, and in the wake of the 19th Amendment’s 100th anniversary, updated designs featuring more female figures began rolling out in 2020.
Beyond Physical Money
Despite its tangibility, only about 8% of the world’s money exists as actual bills—most is digital. Yet, those physical notes are the result of an astonishing, high-precision process