THE HISTORY OF WATERMARKS

With over 300 years of paper making history

Arjowiggins offers a wealth of experience and

expertise. Watermarking is as important today as it

has always been remaining at the heart of our

production.

Although the art of papermaking can be traced back

to the beginning of the first century it was not until the

thirteenth century that watermarks emerged. The first

examples provided by Italian papermakers.

Watermarks were created by bending pieces of wire

into filigree designs, taken from the French word “

filigrane “ and secured to the wire mesh. Any design

would displace fibres imparting a faint translucent

image into the sheet particularly evident when held to

the light.

It was believed these early watermarks served to

identify the work of individual paper makers. This was

an extremely arduous activity and wages were earned

on a piecework basis.

Later watermarks became to serve as indicators of

either type, size or category of paper, acting as the

first trademarks.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATERMARKS

Originally regarded as almost an art form by the early Italians the watermark soon became

synonymous with security. Around 1700 when banknotes first began to appear from the newly

founded national and central banks of Europe watermarks were introduced in an attempt to

thwart counterfeiting.

The invention of the Fourdrinier paper machine in the late 18th Century created a need to

make watermarks on the continuous reel of paper. The dandy roll invented around 1825 was

conceived to make an impression by rolling over the surface of the paper whilst in a fluid state

displacing fibres and creating the thickness variations necessary to form a watermark.

As watermarking skills developed so

more and more complex tonal designs

began to appear. These were

produced by directly embossing the

wire mesh, rather than by attaching

designs to the surface. This method

caused the fibres to rearrange

themselves into denser areas which

appear as the darker parts of the

watermark.

The use of watermarks now extend

from corporate and brand identity

through to the creation of highly

decorative and innovative products.

Their use in the protection of security

documents remains as pertinent today

as 300 years ago.

A genuine watermark cannot be

reproduced in any other way than the

classic methods on a paper machine.

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Stoneywood Mill Aberdeen

All of our Watermarks are now

produced at Stoneywood Mill

Traditional methods are still used to product some of the intricate designs required to

replacate either a customers marks or to produce Security papers

DANDY ROLL MANUFACTURE

Dandy roll production is a very labour

intensive activity firstly in preparing the mesh

cover and later in forming it into a cylinder for

use on the paper machine.

The cover itself, once embossed, receives

backing layers of coarser mesh which are

sewn together to support the embossings

when pulled onto a rigid cylinder making up

the finished dandy roll. Later, crucial areas of

these backing meshes need to be snipped

away to relieve the contours of the

embossed mesh and prevent damage.

All of this work is carried out at a local

company a short distance from Stoneywood

Mill.

With expert craftsmen dedicated to the

provision of high quality dandy rolls,

compatibility between watermark and paper

machine are guaranteed.

WATERMARKING IN A MODERN PAPER MILL

The paper mill at Stoneywood has Four Fourdrinier

paper machines three of which are equipped for the

provision of high quality watermarked papers.

The watermark must be introduced at an early

stage of paper production, whilst there is still a

considerable amount of water present in the pulp

stock. This is to optimise fibre displacement from

the dandy roll bearing the watermark design.

The redistribution of fibres within the forming web of

paper varies the thickness in localised areas giving

rise to the light and darks parts of a modern tonal

watermark.

From this stage the paper undergoes pressing and

drying to reduce the water content to the desired

level. These physical changes ultimately result in

watermark positioning constraints in the finished

paper. Movement parameters are therefore set for

the location of registered watermarks.

These natural processes must also be taken into

account when designing and making the watermark

itself.

WATERMARK DESIGN

Arjowiggins offer a complimentary design and watermark interpretation service. An original image or

concept may require modification for successful watermark reproduction. This could involve

simplification, enlargement or tonal enhancement to create the most striking results.

Watermark proposals are submitted to the customer in a printed format A4 sheet. Approval at this

initial stage permits progression to the eventual Dandy Roll.

The basic dandy roll structure is one of a rigid skeleton cylinder onto which the wire mesh cover

bearing the watermark design is pulled and tensioned.

The watermark design can either be physically embossed into the wire mesh creating dark or tonal

watermarks or it can be soldered onto the surface of the mesh to provide clear, line watermarks. In

certain instances a combination of the two processes can be employed to provide more striking

tonal variation or enhance a design by subtle highlighting.

DANDY ROLL STORAGE AND SECURITY

Once the dandy roll has been manufactured it is

kept in a dedicated store close to the paper

machines within the boundaries of the secure

manufacturing site.

Each roll is numbered and resides in a specific

storage location. High security watermarks can

be stored within permanently locked sections

whilst others can be kept within sealed or locked

boxes. These are opened only at the time of

paper manufacture and returned and resealed

generally in the presence of a representative of

the customer after production is completed.

The original design files for the watermark itself

are retained in digital format to satisfy

contingency and disaster recovery plans of

modern businesses.

THE REPUTATION OF STONEYWOOD MILL

The wealth of experience in watermarking at

Stoneywood permits the mill to create stunning

results.

Tonal watermarks offer by far the greatest

security to documents since they are ultimately

the most difficult to simulate.

Design and production staff ensure optimum

results are always achieved.

WATERMARKING CONSIDERATIONS

Position registered watermarks

Watermarks do not follow the same rules as printing. Papermaking due to

the natural constraints of the process, cannot register the watermark exactly

in the same place every time. A tolerance expressing the parameters of

movement of the watermark within the final cut sheet or reel is therefore

specified.

WATERMARKING CONSIDERATIONS

Layout

This is the term used to indicate the position

of individual documents within the supplied

parent sheet.

Whilst it is important to know the position of

the watermark within the final document it is

of equal importance to be aware of the

positions of each individual document in the

supplied sheet. A layout bearing all the

internal trim measurements is therefore

prepared and approved.

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Watermarks Endless Possibility to manufacture one’s own unique and

customised dandy roll.

Watermarks

The premium quality of our watermarks lies in the

human controls at every step of the production.

WATERMARKING

• Dandy Rolls

• Dandy Sleeves

TYPES OF WATERMARK

• The watermark is formed as an outline image lighter than the background paper.

• Widely used in business stationery qualities.

• Prestigious and secure effect.

Line watermarks are achieved by affixing the desired image as an

electrotype (a raised image) to the surface of a dandy roll or dandy sleeve.

TYPES OF WATERMARK

• The watermark appears

lighter or darker than the

background paper, or a

combination of tones.

• Used in business stationery

to further enhance a

corporate image.

• Widely employed in Security

Papers.

Shadow watermarks are achieved by

embossing the desired image into the

actual surface of the Dandy cover.

Watermarks endless possibilities

WATERMARK DESIGN

Smooth / Satin watermark design

Texture papers -

watermark design on a

laid or textured product

may require a double

outline to retain clarity

Product Offer

• Branded – Typically Conqueror or Opale Type

• Premier Woodfree

• True Bespoke – Product made to Customers Own

Specification or a non standard product to meet a particular

end use or final application. Please note that Embossed

product is not included in our offer. For true bespokes

consultation with technical department at Stoneywood will be

essential. If there is any doubt on process or application

consult the Basingstoke Office.

• Olin, does not form part of this Bespoke Own Watermark

product offer.

Service Offer – Conqueror/Opale • Conqueror/Opale Quality

– 2 tonne minimum order quantity Standard Shade, Standard

Weight and Size

– Cost of Dandy Roll will be quoted once our Dandy Manufacturer

has had sight of customers requirements

- Complex patterns – Cost may be substantially higher than that of

a simple line watermark

- Paper prices will be taken from the standard Conqueror /Opale

Price list.

• Bespoke Conqueror/Opale Quality - prices for repeat business will increase at

the same time as the standard product and by the same amount. Any increases

will be added to repeat enquiries as necessary.

• Please note that Iridescent does not form part of the Bespoke offer.

• Conqueror/Opale Packaging will be used, labels will be personalised to suit

product within the packaging. BPOP can be offered where appropriate

• Any special packaging, tabbing, palletisation instructions should be identified

at time of enquiry so than an accurate price can be quoted and detailed to the

mill at time of order.

Service Offer – Other Products • Premier Woodfree/Bespoke products – 4 tonne minimum order quantity of a

standard shade, size and weight, non standard product either shade, weight or size may require substantially larger minimums, this will be identified at time of enquiry.

• Each Enquiry will be quoted as paper price as ruling at date of enquiry – a costing for the dandy/sleeve will be prepared upon sight of pattern and this will be quoted and charged separately.

• A separate sales receipt for the dandy/sleeve will be prepared at time of order. The dandy/sleeve will then become the property of the purchaser (the mark always and if the mill needs at any time to dispose of the dandy/sleeve the customers disposal agreement and instructions need to be obtained.

• Repeat order costs will be for paper only, any relevant price increase/s will be included in repeat order quotes.

• Bespoke prices increase at the same time as our standard products, however, Arjowiggins reserves the right to increase prices should the raw material costs for speciality products increase outside standard price increase timings. Arjowiggins also reserve the right to increase prices by more than standard product as required.

• Product will be supplied in plain white wrappers or carton packing with labels describing product within, BPOP can be offered where appropriate.

• Any special packaging, tabbing, palletisation instructions should be identified at time of enquiry and detailed to the mill at time of order.

Service Offer • Watermark design service is free of charge and turn around will be

typically take approximately 48 hours (please note that more

complex designs may take a little longer) as this service is offered

by an outside company if their workload is high this timescale may

be extended.

• Lead Time for paper production - from placement of order and

watermark artwork approval to despatch of paper is typically 6-7

weeks if a Sleeve is being used and 7-9 weeks if a dandy is being

used. Customers must take into account mill shuts, dates will be

advised at time of enquiry.

• Artwork of the pattern to be produced must be sought and given to

the mill before any discussion of possible price can take place.

Price for paper only can be given but recommend that a

confirmation email is sent emphasising to the customer that this

price does not include the price of the dandy/sleeve so that the

customer is fully aware that there will be an extra charge.