Designing the Banknotes and Passports of the Future

Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, the second Security Designers Forum (SDF) will be held from 7-9 September 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.

An initiative of the security design community, supported by Reconnaissance, SDF succeeds the International Banknote Designers Conference. It is a dedicated forum for those involved in design and decision-making related to secure documents such as banknotes and passports, providing an opportunity to learn, exchange knowledge and develop new ideas.

The topics addressed extend far beyond physical document design, covering a wide range of issues, including: 

• User experience
• Perception and recognition
• The value-to-cost ratio
• Designing for sustainability
• Feature and material integration
• Machine readability and acceptance
• Public education
• Innovation and the use of new technologies
• Teamwork and collaboration.

Through presentations, panel discussions and case studies, delegates will examine how secure document design evolves to address emerging threats. They will also explore how design can improve usability, accessibility and public confidence.