STARCHROME®
De La Rue (United Kingdom)
Type: Liquid crystal colour-shift security thread — woven into banknote paper substrate, appearing as a windowed thread integrated during papermaking
Overview
STARCHROME® is a proprietary liquid crystal colour-shift security thread developed by De La Rue and one of the most widely deployed premium security threads in banknote history. Described by De La Rue as the world's most successful premium colour-changing effect in a security thread, it established liquid crystal technology as the standard for optically variable thread security and has been produced across hundreds of billions of banknotes worldwide. The thread was developed as part of a broader programme of innovation at De La Rue led by Malcolm Knight, whose work on StarChrome was recognised with multiple Queen's Awards for Enterprise and Innovation. STARCHROME® remains an active product in De La Rue's current thread portfolio, positioned as a cost-effective colour-shift solution for mid to lower-value denominations, while its liquid crystal technology platform underpins the more advanced KINETIC STARCHROME® and IGNITE® combinational threads.
Technology & Effects
STARCHROME® produces a striking colour-shift effect using cholesteric liquid crystal material applied to the thread structure. When the banknote is tilted, the liquid crystal layer shifts between two distinct colours across the visible spectrum — the specific colour pair is selected at design stage and can be tailored to complement the overall banknote palette. The colour switch is binary and highly legible, providing a clear and teachable public authentication message: the thread either shows colour A or colour B depending on the angle of observation. This simplicity is a deliberate design characteristic — a binary colour indicator requires no explanation and can be verified instinctively by the public in any lighting condition. The liquid crystal colour-shift effect is inherently durable, maintaining full switching capability throughout the entire circulation life of the banknote, including in heavily worn and soiled notes. Optional enhancements include demetallised ClearText® characters — denomination values or issuing authority initials visible in transmitted light — UV fluorescence, and MagForm® magnetic machine readability, each adding an additional authentication layer without compromising the primary visual effect.
Form Factors & Application
STARCHROME® is woven into the banknote paper during manufacture as a windowed security thread, surfacing at regular intervals across the face of the note. It is available in a range of thread widths to suit different denomination requirements and substrate configurations, and is compatible with both standard cotton paper and durable paper substrates. The thread is designed for integration across complete banknote series, with denomination-specific demetallised text allowing visual differentiation between values within a consistent design language. STARCHROME® is positioned by De La Rue as the entry point in their colour-shift thread family, complementing KINETIC STARCHROME® on higher denominations and providing design cohesion across a full series.
Security Levels
STARCHROME® operates primarily as a Level 1 (public) authentication feature. The colour-shift effect is immediately visible to the naked eye and provides an intuitive, easily communicated verification cue. Optional MagForm® magnetic encoding extends authentication to Level 2b machine-readable verification for automated cash processing equipment, and demetallised ClearText® provides a Level 2a teller-assist verification layer in transmitted light.
| Security Feature | Banknotes |
|---|---|
| 239 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 4mm | Colour shift | StarChrome | 2 |
| 274 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | StarChrome | 1 |
| 275 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift | StarChrome | 17 |
| 167 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | 4mm | Colour shift | StarChrome | 4 |
| 185 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift | StarChrome | 10 |
| 184 | Thread | Back | Windowed | Wide | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 2 |
| 228 | Thread | Front | Windowed | Wide | 3mm | Colour shift & Machine readable magnetics | MAGFORM & StarChrome | 3 |
| 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
- STARCHROME®
- Category
- Security Feature
- Effect Types
- Colour shift
- Company
-
De La Rue
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- Linked Features
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