15th May, 2024
Komori Corporation (Sumida-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Satoshi Mochida) is pleased to announce that the Komori 100th anniversary housenote has won the Best New Housenote Award (at the High Security Printing EMEA).
From March 4th to 6th, the High Security Printing EMEA conference
was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, bringing together central banks, security
printers, and industry suppliers from around the world. The 100th anniversary
housenote issued by Komori in 2023 won the Best New Housenote Award for the 2024 fiscal year.
Housenotes are specially printed samples created using the same security
printing technology as genuine banknotes. They use the same paper and ink as
real banknotes and are created by printing press suppliers to promote sales.
The 100th anniversary housenote embodies the concept of 'Power to the Print’ and incorporates a design showcasing the security print technology that Komori has built up over the years. The front features an image of the Phoenix, the legendary immortal bird said to be resurrected from ashes and live forever, along with Mount Fuji and a portrait of Yoshiharu Komori, the company chairman. The reverse depicts the company’s Tsukuba Plant with two Phoenixes, cherry blossoms, and five origami Phoenixes having pattern combinations that vary with each sheet.
Printing was
carried out at KGC-S (Komori Global Center-Security), opened in 2023, using the
Currency LC offset printing press, the Currency
IC intaglio printing press, and the
Impremia IS29s digital printing system. Offset printing uses 17 colors,
including five ultra-violet (UV) fluorescence inks. The intaglio printing
utilizes five colors and blind embossing that presses the intaglio with high
printing pressure without using ink. The digital printing system is used for
variably numbering the notes and linking the origami Phoenixes to the numbers.
This housenote
was produced through collaboration with various companies in partnership with
Komori in paper, ink, design, and security systems, achieving a high level of
counterfeit prevention technology. Through this collaboration, combining the
latest technology such as digital printing and authentication functions using
smartphone apps with proven anti-counterfeit technology, the potential of
future anti-counterfeit technology has been demonstrated.
The award drew attention by depicting the future of banknotes by combining digital printing technology that has not yet been introduced into banknotes with existing banknote printing technology. In particular, each banknote was applauded for its one-of-a-kind design thanks to the unique waveform numbering created with digital printing technology and the pattern that changes depending on the number.
Award trophy
