LIFT

Type

3D effect — intaglio-printed latent image security feature, in which a hidden message or motif is rendered invisible when the banknote is viewed flat but emerges clearly when the note is tilted to a specific viewing angle. One of the two foundational latent image features of the modern banknote era, alongside Goznak's KIPP.

Overview

LIFT is De La Rue's intaglio latent image security feature, developed in the UK in the 1980s–1990s and one of the two earliest commercial implementations of the modern banknote latent image — the other being Goznak's KIPP, developed in parallel in Russia. Together LIFT and KIPP defined the latent image as a category of banknote security feature, and they remain so widely deployed that, as PWPW notes in its 2019 EP3880488A1 patent filing on its own multi-direction latent image (Zora4Note®), "there is virtually no banknote that would not comprise the aforementioned or similar solutions." When the banknote is viewed flat, LIFT appears as part of the printed design — typically a fine-line intaglio pattern. When the note is tilted to an acute viewing angle, a hidden image, text or numeral becomes visible against the surrounding pattern. The feature is built entirely on intaglio printing precision: no specialist inks, foils, threads or substrates are required beyond what is standard in high-security banknote production. LIFT was developed during the period when De La Rue was establishing its modern security feature portfolio and predates the company's later optically variable thread, foil and ink innovations.

Technology & Effects

The feature relies on the optical principle of the intaglio latent image. Parallel lines of defined thickness and spacing, raised in relief by the intaglio printing process, form a hidden image embedded against a background of perpendicular lines also raised in relief. When the banknote is viewed perpendicularly (flat), both line patterns appear roughly equally and the hidden image is masked by the surrounding pattern. When the banknote is tilted to an acute viewing angle, the convex relief of lines perpendicular to the line of sight optically masks the gaps between them, while lines parallel to the line of sight form a contrasting bright plane. The result is that one of the two line patterns becomes dominant relative to the other, revealing the hidden image. Rotating the banknote 90 degrees swaps which pattern dominates, producing a complementary visible state. The relief depth, line spacing and angle precision required to produce a clean LIFT effect can only be achieved with high-security intaglio plate engraving and printing — and cannot be reproduced by photolithographic copying, digital reproduction or commercial offset printing, all of which fail to capture the directional relief structure that makes the latent image work. Effect types: 3D effect (primary, intaglio relief revealing the hidden image), Embossing (intaglio relief).

Form Factors & Application

LIFT is a printed feature applied during the standard intaglio printing stage of banknote production, integrated into the design rather than added as a discrete component. As an intaglio-only feature, it requires the intaglio plate engraving precision available at high-security printing works — but does not require specialised inks, foils, threads, magnetics or substrates. The hidden image and surrounding pattern are designed by the banknote designer in coordination with the engraver, and the feature can take the form of denomination numerals, central bank initials, country names, motifs, or any other simple graphic that can be expressed through line-pattern interaction. The feature is suitable for banknotes, passports, identity documents and any other intaglio-printed security document, and works on both paper and (with adapted intaglio processes) polymer substrates.

Security Levels

• Level 1 (public): Hidden image revealed when the banknote is tilted to a specific viewing angle, providing an immediately verifiable authentication cue with no equipment beyond the eye. Easy for the public to recognise once aware of where to look.
• Level 2 (cash handler): The intaglio relief is tactile, providing a touch-verifiable secondary cue. The directional line-pattern construction resists reproduction by photolithographic, digital and commercial offset reproduction processes — counterfeit attempts using these methods either miss the latent image entirely or produce it visibly even at flat viewing angles.

Notable Deployments

LIFT is one of the most widely deployed banknote security features in circulation globally. PWPW's EP3880488A1 patent filing characterises both LIFT and KIPP as so widely adopted that "there is virtually no banknote that would not comprise the aforementioned or similar solutions". Specific issuer attributions for LIFT — distinguishing it from the broader category of intaglio latent images (which include KIPP and many in-house printer variations) — are not generally separately documented in public materials. As a feature historically developed and refined within De La Rue's Basingstoke and overseas printing works, LIFT would be expected to appear on a substantial proportion of banknotes printed by De La Rue over the past three decades. S

Name

LIFT

Category

Security Feature

Effect Types

Latent image

Company

De La Rue
Company Website

Linked Features

2 security features