INNOVATIVE COLOUR APPLICATIONS FOR COINS

WORLD MONEY FAIR 2016 TECHNICAL FORUM

MICHAEL GROVES, ENG.DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & APPLIED TECHNOLOGYROYAL CANADIAN MINT

• RCM develops new ink technologies by finding innovative ways to use colour on coins, including:

• Painting on engraved surfaces

• Enhanced colours

• Complex designs

• Novel approaches

• Success factors:

�Product themes married to specific attributes of new paint technologies

�Processes that rapidly commercialize new colour applications

�Enhanced customer experiences, product sellouts and ROI

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INTRODUCTION

• High-speed pad printing system for coloured circulation coins commissioned in Fall 2014

• Innovative technology allows for colouring of more complex designs

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COLOURED CIRCULATION COINAGE

• Ink development and formulations� Developed specialized inks

• Coin design� Developed engraving design criteria

• Coin surface cleanliness and pre-treatment� Established optimal burnishing conditions

• Textured surface� Ensured optimal paint adhesion with RCM

patented process

• Production room environment� Ensured room cleanliness, humidity and

temperature stability

• Cure time and temperature� Validated optimal conditions

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COLOURED CIRCULATION COINAGE

Keys to Success

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Numismatic Pad Printing Technology

• Innovative colour technologies

• High-quality, high-resolution images

• Vivid spectrum of colours

COLOURED NUMISMATIC PRODUCTS

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Technological Innovation

• Successful development of “Glow in the Dark” paint technology

• What is Glow in the Dark?

• Standard CMYK printing process to provide a hidden image seen only in the dark

• “Glow” effect utilizes transparent glow inks that are activated in dark environments

GLOW IN THE DARK

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GLOW IN THE DARKTECHNICAL CHALLENGES

Missing Ink

Scratches

Weak Glow

Effect

• Milled large

particles to

reduce to a

feasible printing

size

Limitation of

particle sizes

•Increased volume

of pigmentation

and applied

additional layers

Small pigments

produced a weak

glow effect •Implemented a

new scratch

resistant plate

material

Excessive

scratches

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Glow in the Dark has evolved…..

Backlit Effect

• Creates a stunning night scene when coin is activated

• Coin maintains all image details of CMYK print and illuminates in the dark

• Glow effects applied under artwork allow it to interact with CMYK layers to produce dynamic results

BACKLIT EFFECT

BACKLIT EFFECT TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

• Developed advanced

pigmentation to

expand range of

colours

Limited range of

colours

• Developed graphical

techniques to create

high resolution

images

Complex detail

unattainable with

glow paint • Controlled

transparency of

specific images on

CMYK layer

Difficult to control

colour intensity

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Glow in the Dark has evolved…..

Black Light Effect

• Existing glow in the dark technology has limited intensity

• Black light creates a more intense glow

• Inks are specially formulated to activate once exposed to UV light

• Optimal effects achieved in a darkened environment

BLACK LIGHT EFFECT

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BLACK LIGHT EFFECTTECHNICAL CHALLENGES

• Replaced

phosphorescent

pigments with

customized

fluorescent particles

Excessive paint

required to achieve

desired glow

• Adjusted printing

parameters to

compensate for

premature

evaporation

Lower viscosity

inks and chemical

evaporation•Used targeted

deposits of CMYK

colours in areas

surrounding the

effect

Poor integration

into CMYK images

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A colourful new world of possibilities

• Colour increases the retention of circulation coins

• Pad printing technology enables production of high-quality colored pieces with exceptional visual appeal

• Innovative paint technologies enhance the customer experience and increase product sales

• The RCM will continue to deliver excellence by rapidly commercializing new and innovative coloured coin technologies

CONCLUSION

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THANK YOU