Production & Circulation
How much paper currency does
the Treasury Department print every day?
Where is it printed?
What can you tell me about
the paper that is used to make our currency
notes? I'm also interested in the size and
weight of the notes.
Why are United States paper
currency notes printed using green
ink?
What is being done to help blind and visually impaired people with currency identification?
Can the Treasury Department
produce a special series of currency to honor
a distinquished person or special event? This
is done frequently with our coins.
 During fiscal year 2007, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produced approximately 38 million notes a day with a face value of approximately $750 million.
More Money Facts
The BEP headquarters is located in Washington, DC. There is also a Western Currency located in Fort Worth, Texas, which began operations in 1991.
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The paper that the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
uses to produce our currency is
"distinctive." A paper manufacturer produces
it according to BEP specifications. It is
composed of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent
linen. The paper also contains red and blue
fibers of various lengths that are evenly
distributed throughout the paper.
All denominations of paper currency notes printed since 1929 are the same size, measuring approximately 2.61 inches (6.63 centimeters) by 6.14 inches (15.60 centimeters). Each note weighs about one gram.
More Money Facts
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When the small currency notes in
use today were first introduced in 1929, the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
continued using green ink. There were three
reasons for this decision. First, pigment of
that color was readily available in large
quantity. Second, the color was high in its
resistance to chemical and physical changes.
Finally, the public psychologically
identified the color green with the strong
and stable credit of the Government. There is
no definite reason green was chosen
originally for our currency notes.
More History of Green Ink
The United States government continues to redesign our paper money. A new $5 bill was issued on March 13, 2008. It will be followed by a new $100 bill. Redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills are already in circulation. This redesigned currency includes some subtle background colors along with other important new security features.
More About the Redesigned Currency
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Visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's FAQ for detailed information. Currency Identification for Blind and Visually Impaired
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Officials in the Treasury
Department and our
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
appreciate the spirit of helpfulness of
persons who suggest that we commemorate
noteworthy persons or events on United States
currency notes. Adopting such a suggestion at
this time is unlikely because carrying out a
proposal for a special currency issue
requires spending several hundred thousand
dollars for the necessary additional printing
and processing equipment. It would also
require increased costs for examining and
handling operations and would require
changing both the obverse and reverse sides
of the currency, along with preparing new
printing plates.
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