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The Daily Insight Hub

Is it illegal to Xerox money?

Author

Jackson Reed

Updated on January 11, 2026

You physically cannot photocopy or Photoshop money thanks to an ‘incredibly secretive and effective’ security system. Because counterfeiting is highly illegal, a photocopier will refuse to copy a bill, and Photoshop will reject the image.

Can you legally print money?

It’s illegal to print anything that can plausibly pass as an established currency, unless your specifically authorized to do so by the government. You can make up your own currency if you want.

Can you go to jail for drawing on money?

Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as follows: Whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve …

Can printers detect money?

Well, photocopiers have a way to detect that what they’re copying is actually money. Most photocopiers will detect this EURion pattern and immediately stop printing in an attempt to stop counterfeit attempts.

Does US currency turn black when copied?

Ever wondered what would happen if you tried to copy money on your printer or copier? Here’s your answer. Nothing. Nothing happens because most modern scanners recognize money and won’t copy or print it, according to a clip posted online by.

Is it illegal to photocopy U.S.currency?

Currency, Stamps and Treasury Checks. It’s illegal to photocopy full color, full-sized, double-sided copies of United States paper currency and U.S. Treasury checks.

Is it legal to copy money in movies?

It used to be that they had to be in black and white, but as of the 1990s, color is permitted as well. In movies, actual money can be used. These rules are designed to allow pictures or copies of currency for advertisements, movies or other purposes without coming close to a counterfeiting operation.

Is it illegal to copy an US dollar bill?

It isn’t completely illegal to make copies of American currency, but U.S. bills can be copied only under certain circumstances and only in certain ways. Teo Spengler earned a J.D. from U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall.

Is it illegal to print currency on two sides?

Don’t print the currency on two sides. Illustrations must only be printed on one side. When you are done, delete or destroy the scans, plates or digital images used to make the illustration.