Varnish particularly used as overcoating appears to have been used to implement some of the visual design elements of Canadian Bank Notes. A great example of this is seen in the pre-security $5 and $10 Journey Series Notes.
I tried to see if there was any description of this or reporting of it. A search of the forums indicates some significant discussions about varnish appearing on some notes of the Journey Series. However all of these discussions focused on the presence or absence of varnish or complete application v/s partial application of varnish.
The above photographs are of portions of the back of the $5 and $10 pre-security Journey Series Notes. It is seen from the angle in which the photographs were taken that there appears to be an "image" of extra snow flakes on the $5 and extra pair of doves on $10. They almost look like shadows at that angle. This appears to be a standard design in all of those types of notes. However these "images" are most clearly visible only when the note is viewed at an angle and particularly if held against light.
The manner in which these "images" are "printed" are by omitting the varnish in areas corresponding to these "images". The extent of the varnish is clearly visible as a layer with high light reflectance along the upper left portion in the photographs.
I have not seen a description of this design feature in any published documentation. This feature was eliminated in the $5 and $10 Journey Series notes with the security feature even though use of varnish appears to have continued in that portion of the bank note. I would appreciate any information on this particularly if anyone can point me to some written documentation about such a design feature either in the BoC notes or notes from any other Country.
Similar type of use of varnish to affect the visual design appears to have been attempted in polymer notes. Has anyone wondered about it?
