Watermarks: Invention, Production, and Use as a Security Feature

Invention of the Watermark

The first documented use of watermarks was in 1282 by paper mills in Bologna, Italy. Manufacturers attached a thicker wire in the shape of a letter or symbol to the wire mesh of the mold. This made the paper fiber layer thinner at that spot, creating the watermark.

Around 1800, the first multi-layered 3D watermark was produced. In 1826, John Marshall revolutionized the watermarking process with the introduction of the "Dandy Roll," simplifying production for manufacturers.

Uses of Watermarks

Watermarks serve various purposes:

• Origin and Quality Marking: In the early days of European papermaking, watermarks were used by paper mills as marks of origin and business. They indicated the quality and manufacturer.
• Dating Documents: Since the molds wore out after about two years, slightly varying watermarks can be used to date documents and graphics. Watermark science (filigranology) uses this for determining age and origin.
• Counterfeit Protection: Today, watermarks are used as a security feature in banknotes, stamps, and identity documents to make counterfeiting more difficult. So-called digital watermarks also protect media files.

In summary, watermarks were invented in Italy at the end of the 13th century and initially served as proof of origin and quality for papermakers. Today, they secure documents against counterfeiting and help with the temporal classification of historical documents and works of art.