Tours are offered at both of our facilities, located in Washington, DC and Fort Worth, TX.
You'll see millions of dollars being printed during a tour of the BEP. The tour features the various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper, and ending with wallet-ready bills!
As the U.S. Government's security printer, the BEP is responsible for the design, engraving and printing of all U.S. paper currency. A world leader in printing technology, the BEP also produces secured documents for other federal government agencies.
Currency production methods have changed drastically since the BEP was established in 1862. At that time, just six people separated and sealed notes by hand in the basement of the Treasury building. The BEP moved to its present DC site in 1914. The Fort Worth, Texas facility was created to meet increased currency production demands - it opened its doors in 1991.
Though new printing, production and examining technologies have brought us into the 21st Century, the BEP's engravers continue to use the same traditional tools that have been used for over 125 years - the graver, the burnisher, and the hand-held glass.
