Nanotech’s Color-Shift OTF Threads Bolster Banknote Security

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has received Reconnaissance International’s Regional Banknote of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the design, technical sophistication, and security of a banknote for its 20,000 Tenge note. The banknote features Nanotech Security Corp.’s secure color shift optical thin film (OTF) technology

Nanotech Security Corp.'s magenta-to-green color-shift optical thin film thread shown in unprinted composite banknote material. Courtesy of Nanotech.

Nanotech’s magenta-to-green color shift OTF thread was incorporated into the composite substrate of the banknote. The company said it is one of the most durable overt security features, with little to no loss in its characteristics when crumpled or printed on.

Nanotech offers six standard color shifts, and over 200 shades of these colors can be tuned to customers' specific requirements. The color-shift OTF threads can be used in both composite paper-polymer-paper and cotton banknote paper. The company said its color-shift threads and patches have been designed into more than 10 banknotes around the world.