How to Create an Engraved Banknote Effect in GIMP

Creating an engraved banknote effect turns modern photos into vintage, currency-style portraits composed of fine, continuous hatch lines. In GIMP, this classic print aesthetic is achieved by preparing a high-contrast black-and-white base, applying the Newsprint distortion filter with linear patterns, and finishing with a characteristic monetary color tint.

Step 1: Prepare and Isolate the Subject

  1. Open your base image in GIMP by navigating to File > Open.
  2. Duplicate the base layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer) to preserve the original.
  3. Use the Paths Tool (B) or Fuzzy Select Tool (U) to select and isolate your subject from the background, as clean portraits yield the best banknote results.
  4. Add a layer mask or delete the background to leave the subject on a transparent or solid white background.

Step 2: Convert to Black and White

  1. Select the isolated subject layer.
  2. Go to Colors > Desaturate > Desaturate.
  3. Choose Luma or Luminance mode to create a neutral grayscale image, then click OK.

Step 3: Increase Contrast Using Levels

Engraved patterns rely heavily on tonal range to generate thickness in the lines.

  1. Go to Colors > Levels.
  2. Drag the black point slider inward to darken the shadows and drag the white point slider inward to brighten the highlights.
  3. Aim for strong separation between dark and light tones, minimizing flat mid-tones.

Step 4: Apply the Newsprint Filter

  1. Go to Filters > Distorts > Newsprint.
  2. Under the Color Model setting, select Black and White on White.
  3. In the Pattern section, set the Shape to Line.
  4. Adjust the Period slider (typically between 5 and 15) to control the spacing and density of the engraving lines.
  5. Set the Angle slider (around 45° works best) to slant the engraving lines across the subject.
  6. Click OK to apply the effect.

Step 5: Add Cross-Hatching (Optional)

  1. Duplicate your processed line layer.
  2. Go to Layer > Transform > Flip Horizontally or re-run the Newsprint filter with a different angle (e.g., -45°) on a duplicated desaturated layer.
  3. Set the upper layer's Blend Mode to Darken Only or Multiply and reduce the opacity to 40–50% to introduce subtle cross-hatching in the darker shadow areas.

Step 6: Apply the Currency Color Tint

  1. Create a new transparent layer above all other layers (Layer > New Layer).
  2. Set your foreground color to a classic banknote tone (such as a muted sage green #7d9d85 or sepia brown #8c7853).
  3. Use the Bucket Fill Tool (Shift + B) to fill the new layer with this color.
  4. Change the layer's Blend Mode to Color or Multiply, depending on the desired color intensity.
  5. Adjust the layer opacity to fine-tune the final print appearance.