What Banknote Corporation of America does

Banknote Corporation of America (BCA), headquartered in Browns Summit, North Carolina, is the largest private security printer in the United States and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCL Industries Inc., operating as part of CCL Secure since its 2015 acquisition. The company designs, develops, and produces high-security government documents — including passports and visas, identification credentials (ID-1, ID-2, ID-3 polycarbonate cards), secure paper for vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates), and tax/revenue/postage stamps — for over 45 U.S. Federal Agencies and international governments.

BCA's core technology combines centuries-old Intaglio printing craftsmanship with modern proprietary security features. Differentiated capabilities include OVI™ (Optically Variable Inks) that color-shift under light, Complex Lens Arrays, Track & Trace micro-devices, forensic-level features (nanotext, covert fibers, DNA taggants), and proprietary design software producing high-resolution artwork with covert details. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14298 certifications and is Intergraf-certified, exceeding international security printing standards. The company pioneered the first private U.S. stamp in over 100 years (1979), the first electronically engraved stamp (mid-1980s), and Pure Digital Printing for stamps (2015).

BCA operates a B2G enterprise field sales model targeting federal, state, and international government clients through direct procurement and RFP processes. Revenue is generated via long-cycle, contract-based sales of customized secure printing solutions; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customer segments span governments and government agencies (primary), vital records agencies, and postal authorities. Distribution is direct, supported by participation in international security printing and identity industry conferences (High Security Printing LATAM, Identity Week, Intergraf).

Name

Banknote Corporation of America

Legal name

Banknote Corporation of America

Website

https://banknote.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Banknote Corporation of America is the largest U.S. private security printer, designing and producing passports, identification credentials, secure paper, and stamps for 45+ federal agencies and international governments as a subsidiary of CCL Industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Browns Summit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Secure Document Printing: BCA generates revenue through the design, development, and secure production of high-security documents for government clients. This includes national identity documents, passports, identification credentials, secure paper, and federal stamps. Revenue is derived from long-term government contracts and procurement relationships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Banknote Corporation of America (BCA) designs, develops, and securely produces high-security printed documents for government clients. Its four core product lines are Secure Paper (vital records substrates), Identification Credentials (ID-1, ID-2, ID-3 cards with polycarbonate), Passports (visas, end pages, polycarbonate data pages), and Stamps (tax/revenue and postage stamps), integrating layered security features such as Intaglio printing, OVI™ inks, complex lens arrays, and forensic elements.

Product overview

Banknote Corporation of America (BCA) offers a comprehensive portfolio of secure printed products designed for government and institutional clients worldwide. The company operates as the largest private security printer in the U.S., providing four core product lines: Secure Paper (vital records and government documents with integrated overt and covert security features), Identification Credentials (ID-1, ID-2, and ID-3 credentials including polycarbonate cards), Passports (visas, end pages, polycarbonate data pages, and visa pages), and Stamps (tax/revenue stamps and postage stamps). All products utilize advanced printing techniques including Intaglio, Offset, Digital, and Silk Screen printing with layered security features.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secure Paper Vital records and security paper substrates with integrated overt and covert security features designed to protect documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates from fraud. Built for long-term durability with fast authentication and high-security printing processes; tailored to the needs of issuing authorities.
• Identification Credentials Secure identification credentials including ID-1 cards (credit-card sized), ID-2 cards (high-level government identification), and ID-3 booklets with polycarbonate cards combining layered security features and refined artwork for government agencies.
• Passports High-security passport solutions including visas, passport end pages featuring Intaglio printing, polycarbonate data pages with embedded security features, and visa pages combining artwork with integrated security elements for national passport programs.
• Stamps Tax and revenue stamps for governments to collect taxes and fees, and postage stamps celebrating culture and nations. Features Intaglio printing, secure serialization, and advanced printing technologies for postal authorities worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Guardian™ polymer reduces counterfeiting by up to 90%
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• IntergrafminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCA maintains membership and certification with Intergraf, a European association for security printers. BCA will be exhibiting at Intergraf conference in Copenhagen.
• NASPO (National Association of State Procurement Officials)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBCA is a NASPO member, participating in state government procurement programs for secure printing services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• De La Rue: One of the world's largest commercial security printers, producing passports, banknotes, and secure identity documents for governments globally. Directly competes with BCA in government-issued secure credentials and shared tenders.
• IDEMIA: French-based secure identity solutions provider producing passports, ID cards, and driving licenses for governments worldwide. Directly competes with BCA in the secure credentials market with comparable offerings across the product stack.
• Thales (Thales Digital Identity and Security): Through its Digital Identity and Security division, produces secure documents including passports and ID cards for governments globally. Overlaps directly with BCA on secure credentials while extending into digital identity.
• Bundesdruckerei (Veridos): German government-affiliated secure document printer producing passports, ID cards, and banknotes. Competes with BCA in international government tenders for secure credentials.
• Giesecke+Devrient: German security technology company providing secure identity documents, payment cards, and government credentials. Directly competes with BCA in secure document manufacturing with deep government relationships globally.
• Canadian Bank Note Company: Canadian security printer producing passports, banknotes, and identity documents for governments. Closely comparable to BCA in business model, customer base (governments), and product portfolio scope.
• Orell Füssli: Swiss security printer producing banknotes, passports, and secure documents. Directly comparable to BCA as a privately held, specialized government security printer competing for similar international contracts.
• Crane Currency: U.S.-based currency and security printing business (successor to Crane & Co., traditional U.S. currency paper maker). Directly comparable to BCA in secure paper substrates and U.S. government security printing relationships.

Broad incumbents

• HID Global: Major secure identity solutions provider with broader portfolio spanning physical credentials, RFID, and digital ID. Overlaps with BCA on ID credentials and government secure identity programs while operating as a broader incumbent across identity solutions.

Others

• KBA-NotaSys: Banknote and security printing equipment supplier providing specialized presses and machinery to security printers globally. Indirectly comparable as infrastructure/equipment provider to the same industry in which BCA operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sennett-security-products-llc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Banknote Corporation of America