U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)

At the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC, a guided visit takes you above the production floor to watch U.S. banknotes being printed and processed. The tour follows the work from preparing materials through printing, inspection and cutting, with explanations of currency history and security features. Afterward, browse the gift shop, which sells items including uncut sheets of bills. Tours are free, but timed tickets are required, so plan ahead if this stop is on your itinerary.

What the Bureau produces

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, known as BEP, is part of the U.S. Treasury Department. Founded in 1862, it designs and produces Federal Reserve notes, the paper currency used in the United States. Coins are made by the United States Mint.

BEP also produces other government security documents, including Treasury securities, military commissions, award certificates, identification cards and invitations. Its work goes beyond the bills most familiar to visitors, though currency production is the focus of the public tour.

Following the production process

The visit starts with an introductory film, then continues as a guided walk along an enclosed viewing area above the production floor. From there, you can watch parts of the process in real time while a guide explains how sheets are prepared, printed, inspected, cut and assembled into currency.

The machinery and work below give the tour its particular character: this is an operating production facility, not a display of printing equipment in a museum gallery. The guide also explains the history of currency and the security features built into banknotes. One detail shared on a tour is that much of the currency printed replaces older bills rather than adding to the total in circulation.