Counterfeit money is a great prop for games, educational rehearsals, and stage performances. However, you must follow the legal rules when preparing your own play money. Start the process by coloring the paper or choosing a brightly colored paper. Then, design the currency details manually or download templates online. Print and copy the final play money, cut, and the prop is ready to go.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Coloring Paper
Step 1. Combine water and coffee in a bowl or saucepan
If you don't want the color of the banknote to be too light, try making a color close to the real note using coffee. Take a coffee cup and fill it half full with hot water. Add 3 tbsp. (40 ml) instant coffee and mix well. Then pour the mixture into a shallow bowl or saucepan. You will get a dark brown liquid.
- If you want the colored paper to just slightly brown, you can add a little more warm water to the cup.
- If you don't have instant coffee, use tea bags brewed in warm water.
- For more complex colors, add 1-2 drops of green food coloring to a cup and stir quickly. Thus, you get a greenish tint like on a banknote.
Step 2. Dip the printing paper into the water
Hold a piece of paper on a plate and dip it in. Try to coat both sides of the paper evenly. Thus, the color of the paper will be uniform. Dip the paper as quickly as possible so it doesn't drench and tear.
Step 3. Spread the paper on a plate
Prepare a microwave-safe plate and place coffee-soaked paper on it. The paper should lie flat in the center of the plate. You will need to use a separate plate for each sheet of paper. You can also wait until one of the microwaved dishes has cooled.
Step 4. Microwave each sheet of paper
Place the paper and plate in the microwave and cook for 20 seconds on high. Once done, remove the plate and try to touch the paper with your finger. If it's still wet, heat it up for another 10 seconds and repeat until it's dry. Set aside the dry paper. Repeat the process with new paper and plate.
Step 5. Air dry the paper, if desired
If you don't want to use the microwave, lay all the paper on the cake pan. Make sure each paper does not overlap each other because it will take longer to dry. You can also hang it on a clothesline using tongs.
Part 2 of 3: Designing Toy Money
Step 1. Follow all applicable laws and regulations
The making of all kinds of money is usually regulated by the government. In the United States, counterfeit notes must be 75% or 150% of their original size. The government also states that play money can only be printed on one side. Check your government and city regulations before printing play money, just in case.
You should also know that in many places it is illegal to make colored play money. So you should make black and white play money
Step 2. Draw the currency
If you are reluctant to use a computer and printer, feel free to draw the design of the toy money directly on the paper. Place a piece of real money on the paper, and trace the edges. Use a pen with a pointed tip to draw additional details within the outline of the money.
This method is especially good for making play money that kids use because it allows you to draw various designs on the play money
Step 3. Download the play money worksheets
Open a computer browser search engine and search for “play money templates” or “play money worksheets”. Download the document and fill in all the extra details. Some templates allow you to change the date or the text in the currency. You can also adjust the size of the mold so that the play money complies with applicable laws.
Some educational currency sites even allow you to include your photo or other image as the centerpiece of the money
Step 4. Use a watermarked image of government money
Check the Bank Indonesia website for currency images that can be downloaded and printed for educational reasons. Other financial institutions, such as the European Central Bank, also offer similar services. Go to the internet, find this file, and you're ready to print.
Many of these entities provide images of coins and banknotes
Step 5. Buy from a prop company
Prop companies are businesses that can be found online or at a costume shop. This company makes counterfeit currency for movies, plays, or other performances. You can usually order detailed play money or just a pile that looks realistic from a distance.
- This method is also a good way to get play money that is ensured to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- However, the price of play money from this company can be quite expensive. Make sure you fully understand before making a decision.
- Most companies require you to buy a roll or pile of money, and not just a sheet.
Part 3 of 3: Resolving Money
Step 1. Print play money
Insert your banknotes into the printer. Check the printer settings again to make sure the design matches the paper size. Then, print one page at a time or several pages at a time. For the best quality, use a laser printer.
Step 2. Make multiple copies
If you've already printed a piece of play money, you can copy it using a photocopier to make multiple copies. You can make a copy of the play money, but it must be in black and white. To comply with laws and regulations, the size also needs to be changed to 150% or 75% of the original size.
You can also make double-sided copies using most photocopiers
Step 3. Cut the toy currency
If all your play money is the same size, place the sheets in a paper cutting machine to cut them neatly for a uniform and smooth coin. However, if the size of the play money varies, cut it carefully using scissors.
Step 4. Add the stack of money pads
Try getting paper money from a bank or a stationary store. You also wear wide and thick rubber. Write the name of the bank on this pad using a marker. Then, tuck a pile of play money into this pad and the prop is ready to go.
Tips
- Laminate your play money to make it last longer, especially if it's going to be used in games.
- We recommend that when making play money, use different colors for different denominations.
