The Bank of England has published the minutes of the Banknote Imagery Expert Panel meeting held on 15 April 2026, documenting the technical advice provided to the Bank on the design and security of the United Kingdom's currency.
The expert panel, which includes specialists in printing, materials science, security features and visual design, provides technical advice to the Bank on the practical aspects of banknote production. Its work covers the selection of substrates and inks, the integration of security features, the optimisation of designs for production at scale, and the testing of new technologies that could improve the durability or security of banknotes.
The minutes record the panel's discussion of several technical issues, including the performance of the polymer substrate that has been used for Bank of England notes since 2016, the development of new security features that could be incorporated into future note series, and the implications of environmental sustainability requirements for banknote production.
The Bank said the publication of the minutes was part of its commitment to transparency and to the highest standards of technical excellence in the production of the currency. The integrity of the currency is fundamental to public confidence in money, and the Bank said it would continue to invest in the expertise and the technology needed to maintain that integrity.
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