The Souvenir

Discover all characteristics that make our CM ART so unique.

What it is

CM ART are souvenirs inspired by the Euro Banknotes.

The characteristics that make them so unique start from the cotton paper, which incorporates a watermark and fluorescent fibrils of two different colours visible only when exposed to ultraviolet light.

The printing techniques also use cutting-edge technology. The lithography technique has an extremely high definition that allows the presence of Micro-Text, as well as a Ghost Image. The tactile marks obtained by chalcography deliver the souvenir with a unique look and feeling. Part of the souvenir is printed with a thermo-chromic ink and changes colour, depending on the temperature. Rubbing it with one’s finger is enough to heat the surface and temporarily change the colour. Other components are normally invisible and detectable only when exposed to ultraviolet light.

The presence of a silver hologram with three dimensional effects will immediately capture your visitors’ attention. Additionally, the presence of a symbol created with micro-perforations is a key characteristic pioneered by the Swiss Banknotes.

Each souvenir presents a serial number, which makes it a unique piece.

The dimensions of each CM ART are 13.6 x 7.4 cm.

Main elements on the front side

ZEROSOUVENIR | Elementi principali sul fronte · Main elements of the front side

Main elements on the back side

ZEROSOUVENIR | Elementi principali del retro · Main elements of the back side

Front side exposed to ultraviolet light

ZEROSOUVENIR | Fronte sotto luce UV · Front side under UV light

Back side exposed to ultraviolet light

ZEROSOUVENIR | Retrosotto luce UV · Back side under UV light

1. Customizable Title · 2. Customizable Image· 3. Hologram · 4. Micro-Text · 5. Ghost Image · 6. Chalcography (colored) · 7. Micro-Perforations · 8. Serial Number · 9. Version Number and Date of Emission · 10. Chalcography (dry) · 11. Thermo-Chromic Ink · 12. UV Ink · 13. UV Fibrils

For the production of such advanced and innovative souvenir, we work under an Exclusive and confidentialagreement, with one of the largest security printing companies. We base our souvenirs on cutting-edge technology, exclusive materials, patented techniques, and extensive experience.

Our Security Systems

ZEROSOUVENIR | Filigrana · Watermark

1. Watermark

In the texture of the cotton paper, a dark-grey geometric design can be observed by looking at the souvenir against light.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Fibrille UV · UV Reactive Fibrils

2. UV Reactive Fibrils

During the production of the paper, small fibrils of two colours are included in the paper that are only visible when exposed to ultraviolet light.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Thermo-Chromic Ink

3. Thermo-Chromic Ink

The writing “ZERO” appearing on the back side of the souvenir is printed with a Thermo-Chromic Ink, which changes colour when exposed to heat. It only requires the application of light friction to the ink to observe a temporary change of the colour, which becomes much lighter. The effect is highly captivating and attracts all visitors’ interests.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Inchiostro UV · UV Ink

4. UV Ink

Some of the components of the souvenir are printed with ink, which is visible only when exposed to ultraviolet light. This is a modern version of a technique used for centuries to deliver secret messages.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Ologramma · Hologram

5. Hologram

The hologram included in the souvenir generates fantastic 3D effects. If the light hits the hologram, hundreds of colours are generated by simply changing the angle of the light. The hologram is a cut using laser which promotes extremely precise results.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Micro-testo · Micro-Text

6. Micro-Text

The background of the souvenir contains Micro-Text. The exceptionally high definition and density of the lithographic printing technique enables us to include text which is so small that it is not easily readable with the naked eye, but it is clear when seen under magnifying glass.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Registro di stampa · Ghost Image

7. Ghost Image

If observed against the light, the two halves of the Vitruvian Man printed on the two sides of the souvenir complement each other forming the famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. This technique requires a tremendously precise printing technology and it is very difficult to replicate.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Micro-perforazioni · Micro-Perforations

8. Micro-Perforations

The alphabetic part of the Serial Number consists of Micro-Perforations forming the letters “ZS” plus the country code (such as “IT” for Italy). This is a security system rare even among banknotes.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Calcografia · Chalcography

9. Relief Chalcography

Part of the souvenir uses chalcography, a highly expensive technique, which is used almost singularly in the production of banknotes. Thanks to the high pressure of the printing process and the special ink applied, it is possible to feel the colour while touching the souvenir.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Numero di serie · Serial Number

10. Serial Number

Each souvenir presents a different alphanumeric Serial Number, making it a unique piece. The alphabetic part is composed of Micro-Perforations (see detail n° 8 above) while the numeric part is printed using OCR characters: the same kind used on real banknotes.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Calcografia a secco · Dry Chalcography

11. Dry Chalcography

Part of the souvenir is made by employing dry chalcography: a technique permitting the creation of small and detailed embossed areas.

Our Security Systems

1. Watermark

ZEROSOUVENIR | Filigrana · Watermark

In the texture of the cotton paper, a dark-grey geometric design can be observed by looking at the souvenir against light.

2. UV Reactive Fibrils

ZEROSOUVENIR | Fibrille UV · UV Reactive Fibrils

During the production of the paper, small fibrils of two colours are included in the paper that are only visible when exposed to ultraviolet light.

3. Thermo-Chromic Ink

ZEROSOUVENIR | Thermo-Chromic Ink

The writing “ZERO” appearing on the back side of the souvenir is printed with a Thermo-Chromic Ink, which changes colour when exposed to heat. It only requires the application of light friction to the ink to observe a temporary change of the colour, which becomes much lighter. The effect is highly captivating and attracts all visitors’ interests.

4. UV Ink

ZEROSOUVENIR | Inchiostro UV · UV Ink

Some of the components of the souvenir are printed with ink, which is visible only when exposed to ultraviolet light. This is a modern version of a technique used for centuries to deliver secret messages.

5. Hologram

ZEROSOUVENIR | Ologramma · Hologram

The hologram included in the souvenir generates fantastic 3D effects. If the light hits the hologram, hundreds of colours are generated by simply changing the angle of the light. The hologram is a cut using laser which promotes extremely precise results.

6. Micro-Text

ZEROSOUVENIR | Micro-testo · Micro-Text

The background of the souvenir contains Micro-Text. The exceptionally high definition and density of the lithographic printing technique enables us to include text which is so small that it is not easily readable with the naked eye, but it is clear when seen under magnifying glass.

7. Ghost Image

ZEROSOUVENIR | Registro di stampa · Ghost Image

If observed against the light, the two halves of the Vitruvian Man printed on the two sides of the souvenir complement each other forming the famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. This technique requires a tremendously precise printing technology and it is very difficult to replicate.

8. Micro-Perforations

ZEROSOUVENIR | Micro-perforazioni · Micro-Perforations

The alphabetic part of the Serial Number consists of Micro-Perforations forming the letters “ZS” plus the country code (such as “IT” for Italy). This is a security system rare even among banknotes.

9. Relief Chalcography

ZEROSOUVENIR | Calcografia · Chalcography

Part of the souvenir uses chalcography, a highly expensive technique, which is used almost singularly in the production of banknotes. Thanks to the high pressure of the printing process and the special ink applied, it is possible to feel the colour while touching the souvenir.

10. Serial Number

ZEROSOUVENIR | Numero di serie · Serial Number

Each souvenir presents a different alphanumeric Serial Number, making it a unique piece. The alphabetic part is composed of Micro-Perforations (see detail n° 8 above) while the numeric part is printed using OCR characters: the same kind used on real banknotes.

11. Dry Chalcography

ZEROSOUVENIR | Calcografia a secco · Dry Chalcography

Part of the souvenir is made by employing dry chalcography: a technique permitting the creation of small and detailed embossed areas.

How it can be customised

The front of the souvenir is nearly entirely customisable! In addition to all decorations and security systems described above, we will add a photo or a collage of photos to the souvenir. Based on your exact design and specifications, we will produce a unique souvenir focused on the needs of your touristic site, museum, or event. The first photo highlights the area of the souvenir which is customisable, while the following pictures depict the final souvenirs.

ZEROSOUVENIR | Area personalizzabile · Customizable area

Customizable area

ZEROSOUVENIR · VERONA CASA DI GIULIETTA · V01 2020-08

Souvenir portraying the House of Juliet

ZEROSOUVENIR · VENEZIA PONTE DI RIALTO · V01 2020-08

Souvenir portraying the Rialto Bridge

We will take the utmost care of re-elaborating the picture (original photo) into a graphic style that will fit the souvenir, and we will send you a digital prototype (intermediate phase). If you are satisfied with the prototype, then we complete the souvenir and send it to production (final work).

ZEROSOUVENIR | Foto originale + base del souvenir · Original photo + base of the souvenir

Original photos + basis of the souvenir

ZEROSOUVENIR | Prima bozza (lavorazione intermedia) · First draft (intermediate phase)

Intermediate phase

ZEROSOUVENIR · VENEZIA PONTE DI RIALTO · V01 2020-08

Final work

The back side of the souvenir encompasses a collage of different Italian and European monuments and remains the same for each souvenir.