1st July 2020
Crane Currency presents BREEZE™ – a new banknote security feature to replace colorshift threads
Crane Currency presents BREEZE – a new micro-optic security product for protecting low denomination, high-demand banknotes. BREEZE provides central banks with an alternative to older security features such as colorshift threads, taking advantage of features such as three-dimensional movement, high-contrast colors, durable sealed lenses and machine readability.
“Over 20 years ago, colorshift films were seen as exotic. Today, these effects are available on an industrial-scale, thereby eroding the confidence and security of banknotes. It is time to let go of a material that leaves the door open for counterfeiters and fakes,” said Nick Pearson, Senior Currency Technologist at Crane Currency.
BREEZE security threads are specifically engineered for maximum durability, security and cost-effectiveness. And they are designed to protect banknotes with fast, unambiguous verification at a low cost.
A new member of the micro-optic family
BREEZE is an extension of Crane Currency’s family of micro-optic security products such as MOTION®, RAPID®, RAPID® Detect and MOTION SURFACE®. The visual effects of BREEZE are created using the same proprietary design and production processes used to protect some of the most valuable banknotes in the world.
BREEZE exhibits secure, moving effects displayed across its 3 mm width. Among these distinctive and easy to authenticate effects are Cubic, Ripple and Stellar – each available in four high contrast colors (red, green, blue and violet).
“Security threads that can produce fluid movement in high contrast are a preferred option for capturing the public’s attention and allowing them to verify the banknote quickly,” said Karin Mörck-Hamilton, Director of Global Design at Crane Currency.
The three-dimensional and dynamic visual combinations are easily seen in all lighting conditions. High contrast colors and bold movement are set to a customized window pattern offering a proven solution built on security, ease of use and beauty.
Colorshift films are no longer secure
The first banknotes with colorshift threads appeared over 20 years ago, promising an easy to verify feature for banknotes that were difficult to simulate.
Today these early benefits have nearly all vanished as commercial metallic foils, films and inks have flooded the consumer markets as decorative and industrial products. These provide the counterfeiter with easy to use, inexpensive and effective materials with which to increase the deceptiveness of their counterfeiting.
Unlike the many colorshift films and foils widely available, BREEZE security threads have no commercial look-alikes and are not available in the commercial marketplace.
About BREEZE
HIGH CONTRAST COLOR PALETTE
- High contrast colors provide optimal security, aesthetics and integration
VISUALLY DYNAMIC AND SECURE
- Ultra-secure micro-optic technology not commercially available
- High speed and fluid movement – easy to see and easy to verify
- No shiny metallic films or foils
- Three effects: Cubic, Ripple and Stellar
- Four colors: red, violet, blue and green
READY TO PROTECT
- Sealed micro-lenses are durable, soil resistant and can be over-varnished
- Machine-reading via secure, infrared materials
- Crane Currency’s Design Team assists with selections and integration
- Produced by Crane Currency in secure facilities