Trilumic®
Banque de France (France) · Hueck Folien GmbH (Austria)
Type
Machine Readable Pattern (MR-UV) — UV-fluorescent imaging technology delivered as a holographic stripe or security thread feature, typically combined with diffractive/colour-shift effects in the same component.
Overview
Trilumic® is a UV-fluorescent imaging technology jointly developed by Hueck Folien (Austria) and Banque de France that produces a brilliant full-colour (RGB) image visible only under UV illumination. Concealed in daylight, the printed image reveals high-definition multi-colour artwork — including motifs, text and overlapping colours — when exposed to a UV light source. The technology is applied directly to foil-based components (stripes or threads) rather than to the banknote substrate, which itself is one of the feature's distinguishing characteristics: the UV print is visible on the film but does not transfer to the surrounding paper. Trilumic® was launched on stripes in 2019 and extended to security threads in 2021. It is offered as a standalone UV layer or as a complement to other Hueck Folien technologies such as ColorSwitch™, Picture Thread®, Optomove® and Cleartext.
Technology & Effects
The feature relies on a proprietary UV-printing method applied to the holographic foil or thread carrier, using three specially formulated fluorescent inks selected for high brightness, light fastness and colour fidelity. Together these inks generate a true-colour RGB image rather than the mono- or duochrome fluorescence typical of conventional UV print. Distinguishing characteristics include a bright, neutral white UV state and the ability to render negative text in UV — both unusual outcomes in fluorescent banknote print. Designs are fully customised per issuer, allowing free composition of texts, motifs, half-tones and overlapping colour fields. Effect types: MR-UV (primary). When integrated into a holographic carrier, secondary Diffractive and Colour shift effects are typically present from the underlying ColorSwitch™ or holographic origination layer.
Form Factors & Application
Trilumic® is delivered in two principal form factors: as a holographic stripe applied to paper or polymer banknotes during finishing, and as a security thread of variable width that can be embedded as a windowed thread in the substrate. Both formats are produced by Hueck Folien at its Baumgartenberg facility in Austria. The technology is compatible with all standard thread widths and can be combined with Picture Thread®, ColorSwitch™ effects, Optomove®, Cleartext and magnetic-readable codings within the same stripe or thread. More recent iterations have been demonstrated on the Reef foil concept using recycled PET and aluminium carriers, with a reformulated UV print stack delivering more saturated colours.
Security Levels
- Level 1 (public): Brilliant multi-colour fluorescent image revealed under UV light, including unique negative-text rendering and bright UV white, all visible on the foil component but not on the surrounding paper.
- Level 2 (cash handler / teller): Fine-line and half-tone resolution, registration and colour accuracy of the three-ink fluorescent stack inspectable under standard UV examination equipment.
- Level 3 (forensic / central bank): Proprietary ink chemistry, layer construction and origination of the UV print are controlled by Hueck Folien and Banque de France under their joint trademark and patent portfolio.
Notable Deployments
Trilumic® is described by both Hueck Folien and Banque de France as being in circulation on multiple banknotes worldwide, although specific issuer attribution is not publicly disclosed. Hueck Folien states that its products are used in "low, medium and high denomination banknotes" globally, and Banque de France lists Trilumic® alongside SEALGN@TURE® and TWIN UV® as widely incorporated security features deployed through licensing agreements. Specific banknote attributions are pending — to be confirmed via Currency News tracking.
- Name
- Trilumic®
- Category
- Security Feature
- Effect Types
- Colour shift Diffractive Machine readable UV
- Companies
- Product Page
- View on Supplier Site
- Linked Features
- 1 security feature