Glossary of Prop Money Terms
Prop money and novelty documents have their own lingo. This glossary cuts through the jargon so the reader knows exactly what they’re looking for.
Materials and Types
Bleed-through — ink that soaks slightly into the paper, mimicking real currency’s texture and feel.
Foil stamping — a metallic finish applied to paper to replicate the shiny elements on bills or IDs.
Novelty ID — a fake document designed for pranks, costumes, or film props, not for illegal use.
One-sided prop money — printed on a single side, often used for scenes where the reverse isn’t visible.
Security thread — a thin embedded strip in paper that glows under UV light, common in real and high-quality prop bills.
Two-sided prop money — fully printed on both sides for close-up shots or detailed inspections.
UV ink — ink that’s invisible under normal light but glows under ultraviolet, adding authenticity.
Production and Use
Aging — a process to make prop money or documents look worn, like they’ve been in circulation.
Counterfeit penalty disclaimer — a required legal note on novelty items stating they’re not real and can’t be used as such.
Film-grade prop money — highly detailed replicas made to withstand high-definition cameras and close scrutiny.
Motion picture prop — any item, including money or IDs, created specifically for use in movies or TV shows.
Non-negotiable — a label or design feature that clearly marks prop money as unusable in real transactions.
Stage money — a simpler, less detailed version of prop money used for theater or distant shots.
Legal and Safety
For novelty use only — a standard label indicating the item is purely for entertainment, not fraud.
Hologram overlay — a reflective layer that shifts colors when tilted, often used in IDs to prevent easy copying.
Legal disclaimer — text that clarifies the item’s purpose and warns against misuse.
Serial number mismatch — intentional errors in prop money’s serial numbers to prevent accidental use.
Watermark — a faint image embedded in paper, visible when held up to light, used in both real and prop documents.