Komori's entry into the banknote-printing field began in 1958 when we developed a two-color sheetfed relief printing press for paper currency and delivered it to the Finance Ministry's Printing Bureau.
In the 1980s, Komori expanded into the global market and, today, Komori is the only manufacturer of banknote printing presses in Japan.
We supply printing machines to Japan and 38 countries and regions worldwide, continuing to instill trust in banknotes and create security across the globe.

First new banknotes in 20 years issued in 2024

A major reason for the periodic issuance of new banknotes is to prevent counterfeiting.
Each banknote incorporates a range of anti-counterfeiting technologies throughout the manufacturing process. The banknote-manufacturing process is broadly divided into the paper production, materials, and printing stages. In the printing stage, which Komori handles, counterfeiting is prevented by combining specialized printing techniques using offset presses, intaglio presses, numbering presses, and number coater machines.

Komori leading global banknote production with cutting-edge technology

The new £10 polymer banknote issued by the Bank of England in September 2017 was printed on two new production lines delivered by Komori to De La Rue's factory in Britain.
Polymer banknotes enhance anti-counterfeiting capabilities by combining advanced security printing technology with polymer banknote design.
The new £10 note also includes tactile identification marks -- the first of their kind on a British pound banknote -- for the visually impaired, along with complex security features (such as 10 key characteristics) to strengthen protection against forgery.

Examples of specialized printing on the new £10 polymer banknote
❶ Watermark pattern in the transparent oval "window"
❷ Watermark pattern (gold on the front, silver on the back)
❸ Gradient pattern that changes from purple to orange
❹ Hologram of "Ten" and "Pound"
❺ 3D hologram of the crown
❻ "Bank of England" and "10" in intaglio printing, with atactile identification mark on the top left of the £10 note
❼ Sharp and vivid lines and colors
❽ Microtext
❾ Text printed with ultraviolet-absorbing ink

"Komori Centenary House Note"

This "House Note" was created by bringing together Komori's advanced security printing technologies developed over the years. It combines the counterfeit prevention technologies we have refined over the years with new technologies such as digital printing presses. The printing machines used in the process include the offset press "Currency LC," the intaglio press "Currency IC," and the digital printing press "Impremia IS29s."

Examples of specialized printing on the centenary House Note
❶ Microline screens expressed through dry offset printing
❷ A distinct feature that allows hidden information to be viewed using a smartphone or special lenses
❸ Microtext that is impossible to discern with the naked eye, printed by offset printing
❹ Replacement with innovative inkjet digital serial number printing
❺ Modulated digital serial numbers printed in a wave-like distortion
❻ "Origami" phoenix expressed through digital printing, with the movement and sequence of the phoenix differing on each individual sheet
❼ Authenticity verified by dedicated smartphone application

Intaglio printing press "Currency IC"

Digital printing press "Impremia IS29s"

Printing of banknotes and securities is closely related to the identities of a "nation," a "company," and an "individual." Preventing the tampering of crucial personal information, such as that found in passports and ID cards, has become an international issue. In businesses as well, the need to prevent counterfeiting and protect proprietary technologies has become increasingly evident.
In other words, banknotes are social infrastructure as well as something that upholds the identity of people all over the world. Komori will continue to contribute to society through security-printing technologies, including safe and trusted banknote-printing solutions.