To prevent counterfeiting, a watermark is an image that appears on fine papers or on some documents. Only when the paper is held at a specific angle or against a black background does the watermark appear. A watermark is usually not included on standard paper because adding one raises the price of the paper. Watermarks are used on fine art papers to identify the manufacturer, and banks frequently use specially watermarked paper for security.
True watermarks and artificial watermarks are the two types of watermarks. Using a special tool known as a dandy roll, a true watermark is applied during the paper manufacturing process. While the paper pulp is drying, the dandy roll is pressed against it, and the marks on the dandy roll transfer to the paper pulp, creating an image. Because the image is created while the paper pulp is still wet with water, it is called a watermark.
During the printing process, an artificial watermark is applied. Artificial watermarks are created with specially formulated inks or varnishes that appear only at specific angles or under specific conditions, such as black light. These watermarks are less expensive than true watermarks, and they can be easily customized for specific applications. They’re also easier for skilled counterfeiters to imitate. Artificial watermarks are commonly used on personal checks and official documents such as passports.
Hold a piece of currency up to the light to see an example of a security watermark. A faint image will appear as you turn the paper to change the viewing angle. The watermark changes depending on the nationality and currency denomination, but you’ll notice that it’s difficult to fake. To reduce the risk of copying, most currency uses true watermarks in combination with specialized engravings.
A watermark on fine art papers tells the consumer who made the paper, assuring a certain level of quality. A manufacturer’s watermark is typically a stylized logo, though it may also include general information about the paper, such as recycled content and the name of the paper, in some cases. Watermarks are sometimes used on fine art papers to create a unique pattern that covers the entire sheet of paper. A fine grid of lines or another ornamental pattern is common on so-called laid stock papers.