MAGFORM™
De La Rue (United Kingdom)
MAGFORM™ is a sophisticated multi-level security feature developed by De La Rue that combines public recognition with machine readability, designed to complement the security threads used in circulating banknotes.
The feature uses a proprietary magnetic material combined with demetallisation to integrate visibly into the banknote design while simultaneously serving as a machine-readable authentication element. When viewed in reflection, MAGFORM™ displays bold, dark characters on the reverse side of the note — a clear, immediate public-facing signal. When the note is held up to light and viewed in transmission, those bold characters disappear entirely, revealing a finer demetallised CLEARTEXT™ feature beneath. This dramatic visual transformation provides an intuitive and memorable check for both the general public and trained tellers, without the need for specialist equipment.
The technology operates across multiple authentication levels within the standard banknote security framework. At Level 1, the bold surface characters offer straightforward public recognition. At Level 2a, the CLEARTEXT™ reveal gives tellers an easily understood and reliable verification method. At Level 2b, magnetic detectors on high-speed banknote sorting machines automatically recognise and authenticate the thread signal. Because the magnetic material used in MAGFORM™ is proprietary and not commercially available, it also provides a forensic-level authentication signal that cannot be sourced or replicated through conventional means.
A practical advantage of MAGFORM™ is that it permits a larger CLEARTEXT™ demetallised feature than is achievable with traditional magnetic threads, improving both public engagement and design flexibility. The feature works in conjunction with De La Rue's PUREIMAGE™, KINETIC STARCHROME®, and IGNITE™ thread range, with MAGFORM™ securing the embedded side of the substrate while the surface thread feature provides public security on the exposed face.
MAGFORM™ is compatible with paper substrates and is positioned as a single feature solution that simultaneously addresses public authentication, teller verification, and automated machine processing — reducing the number of separate features required to achieve comprehensive coverage across the cash cycle.
| Security Feature | Banknotes |
|---|---|
| 289 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & PUREIMAGE | 6 |
| 278 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | Kinetic StarChrome & MAGFORM | 13 |
| 242 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 4mm | Colour shift & Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | Kinetic StarChrome & MAGFORM | 2 |
| 182 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarBright | 3 |
| 285 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | IGNITE & MAGFORM | 1 |
| 184 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 2 |
| 232 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 3mm | Colour shift & Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | Kinetic StarChrome & MAGFORM | 2 |
| 228 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 3mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 3 |
| 189 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Diffractive & Machine readable magnetics | Kinetic StarChrome & MAGFORM | 1 |
| 254 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 4.5mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics & Micro-optics | IGNITE & MAGFORM | 1 |
| 249 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 4mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics & Micro-optics | IGNITE & MAGFORM | 2 |
| 233 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 3mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics & Micro-optics | IGNITE & MAGFORM | 1 |
| 365 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | 3.5mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics & Micro-mirrors | IGNITE & MAGFORM | 2 |
| 273 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 3 |
| 238 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 4mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 4 |
| Total Unique Banknotes | 46 |
- Name
- MAGFORM™
- Category
- Security Feature
- Effect Types
- Machine readable magnetics
- Company
-
De La Rue
Company Website - Product Page
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- Linked Features
- 15 security features