Colours which cannot be obtained by mixing other colours. The mixture of primary colours produces the maximum range of secondary colours. Distinction must be made between subtractive colour mixture and additive colour mixture. Primary subtractive colours are yellow, magenta and cyan. The subtractive mixture is used in document printing. The most widely known application of additive colour mixture is a television screen, which consists of three colours: red, green and blue.
Protective paper coating
The process whereby a solution is used to give paper a gloss finish, which increases its surface resistance to penetration by liquids and dirt.
Photolitho
The name currently given to photographic films applied during the colour graphic reproduction process. Each colour image is comprised of four individual films that represent the three primary colours, yellow, magenta and cyan and key black.
Pantone
The name of the owner of a colour correlation system widely used in graphic arts. According to this system, each colour is coded with a reference number that serves to identify it.
Paper
Thin sheet obtained by softening and pressing fibrous materials such as cotton, linen, etc., grinding the resulting fibre paste and spreading it inside a mould or sheet-forming fabric. The domestic and industrial applications of paper are diverse and include serving as a medium for printing a document.
Pixelgram
"As in the case of a kinegram or hologram, it consists of microscopically fine diffraction grids. As in the case of a kinegram, a pixelgram is generated by means of a computer and does not contain three-dimensional images. A pixelgram consists of small dots or "pixels" which are only visible with the help of a magnifying glass."
Planchettes
A security feature used in some types of banknotes. They are special disks with a diameter of approximately one millimetre which are inserted for security purposes between the paper fibres during manufacture thereof. The planchettes may be coloured or colourless and visible only under ultraviolet light.
Planographic printing
A printing technique whereby the image is applied to a flat surface, contrary to that of raised printing. See lithography, lithographic offset.
Prototype
A newly developed device or element which has not given rise to mass production.
Placing in circulation
The process whereby a central bank, making use of its right to issue banknotes, places new banknotes in circulation which as of that time are considered legal tender and can be used for payment.
Printing technologies
State-of-the-art machinery and various printing techniques are used in the manufacture of euro banknotes. This enables the incorporation of various security features, ensuring that authenticity can be easily verified.