CreativeTechs Tips

Craig, While the photoshop thing is cool, there are ways to get really decent scans online, from the Treasury Department themselves. Here are links to printable images of the new $20 bills:

http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/files/20Glossy-face-web.pdf
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/files/20Glossy-back-web.pdf

Or find any of the new bills here (the left side column includes links to all the new notes):

http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/aboutNotes

;-)

David.

Thanks David. Those US Treasury links are pretty cool. The website you provided is actually a better source for the regulations for reproducing US currency:

http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/regulations

I'll have to update the tip.

Dudes, you rock. Just used this tip and, as you say, it's easy when you know
the trick.

Thanks, Dana

There's an easier way to scan a bill according to this post by Dave Shea:

However, it appears the bill needs to be mostly uncovered (or at least key detection points need to be). If you cover it with something else, you’re able to print the document. So the bill may be used without altering a document’s printability, provided it doesn’t appear to Photoshop that you’re using it for counterfeiting purposes.

You can fool it, however. If you rotate the bill 45 degrees, the warnings go away. The detection algorithm appears a bit immature yet, since it only appears to work when the bill is prominently featured and at close to a horizontal alignment.

Dave made it clear that this is a tip for designers who work with financial institutions, and not counterfieters.