Branded currency is an old and effective marketing idea. A note with a logo, a mascot or a campaign slogan is memorable, shareable and fun to hand out. Agencies use it for product launches, conference giveaways, loyalty promotions and television segments. The difficulty is that real currency is protected by law, so custom prop money printing in Australia has to be done carefully. This guide is written for agencies, brand teams and event producers. It covers what custom prop money is, how a brief works, how to prepare artwork, what compliance markings are required, how to plan quantities and timing and what to avoid. It is general information, not legal advice. All PROPPS custom runs are specimen-marked, non-legal tender props.
The short answer
Custom prop money is lawful when it carries permanent specimen markings, differs clearly from genuine currency and is used as a prop or promotional item, never as payment. Give the studio a clear brief, the artwork and the quantity, allow time for proofs and plan how the notes will be distributed. Never ask for a design that copies a real note closely.
What custom prop money is
Custom prop money, also called branded currency, branded prop notes or custom play money, is printed with your artwork instead of a standard design. Typical examples include:
- Branded launch notes. A product launch where each guest receives a note carrying the product name and a QR code.
- Conference currency. Notes used as tokens at a stand or as prizes in a game.
- Loyalty and promotion notes. A retail campaign where customers collect notes for discounts.
- Television and stage props. A game show or a sketch needing bespoke cash with a fictional bank or character.
- Custom play money. Playful notes with an event or school logo for fairs and fundraisers.
What the law cares about
The Commonwealth Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 is aimed at counterfeit currency and at reproductions that could deceive a reasonable person. The Reserve Bank publishes guidance on banknote reproductions. Branded notes that are clearly different from genuine currency, clearly marked and used as promotional props sit on the right side of the line. Notes that closely copy a real note and could be passed off as one do not. Our Section 22 guide explains how PROPPS builds to the standard, and you should check the current legislation and speak to a lawyer for anything unusual.
How a custom brief works
A good brief saves time and money. It usually includes:
- The purpose. Why are the notes needed, and how will they be used?
- The audience. Who will receive them, and where?
- The artwork. Logos, characters, colours, slogans and any QR codes or URLs.
- The format. Size, denominations or values, and whether the notes are single or double-sided.
- The quantity. How many of each design.
- The deadline. The launch date or event date, with a buffer.
- The budget. An approximate range, so the studio can suggest options.
Tell the studio your concept through the contact page or on WhatsApp. We reply with a quote and next steps.
Preparing artwork
Good artwork makes a good note.
- Supply vector files where possible. Logos should be crisp at any size.
- Keep important content away from the edges. Trimming varies slightly.
- Use readable type. A note is small, so avoid fine print for the key message.
- Leave room for the markings. Specimen markings are part of the design, so do not crowd them out.
- Avoid copying real note designs. Use your own illustration, colour scheme and layout. A custom note should look like your brand, not like a bank.
- Think about both sides. The back is a chance for a call to action or a code.
Compliance markings
Every custom run is held to the same specimen standard as our standard range. That means permanent, prominent markings on every note, paper stock rather than polymer and a clear statement that the notes are not legal tender. These markings are not optional and they are not negotiable, because they are what keeps a custom run lawful. We do not remove or reduce them for a design, and we do not print notes that are intended to pass as real currency.
Quantities, timing and cost
Quantity drives cost and lead time. Small runs for a launch or a television segment are quicker. Larger runs for a national campaign need more planning. As a rule of thumb:
- Plan for proofs. Allow time for at least one round of changes.
- Add a buffer. Event dates are fixed, and printing and delivery add days.
- Order a spare box. Notes get lost, damaged or taken.
- Ask about wholesale tiers. Larger runs may qualify for better pricing. See the wholesale page and our wholesale guide.
Standard PROPPS orders start at $300 AUD and ship by Australia Post Express with signature on delivery. Custom runs are quoted per job.
Campaign ideas that work
Branded notes work best when the idea is simple. A launch where each guest gets a note with a unique code to redeem. A pop-up where notes buy small items at a stand. A loyalty scheme where collecting a set earns a reward. A television segment where contestants play for branded cash. A retail promotion where a note acts as a voucher. In each case, the note supports the story, rather than being the story. Keep the message short, the branding bold and the markings visible.
Proofs and approvals
Plan for at least one proof. The studio prepares a layout showing the artwork, the markings and the trim. Check spelling, logos, colours and any codes. Ask who needs to approve it, from the brand manager to legal, and get sign-off in writing. Changes after printing are costly, so use the proof stage to catch problems. If a code or URL is on the note, test it before the run.
Custom or standard: which suits the job?
Standard notes suit film, television, theatre and photography, where the money has to look like real cash on camera. Custom notes suit promotions and events, where the point is to carry a brand. If a scene needs realistic cash, choose standard notes from the New Notes range. If a campaign needs something people keep and share, choose custom. Many projects use both.
Distributing branded notes
How you hand out the notes matters as much as how they are printed.
- Give them context. A card or a sign that says what the notes are removes confusion.
- Do not hand them out near shops or taxi ranks. A note in a pocket can end up at a till.
- Brief staff. Event staff should know the notes are promotional props.
- Make them clearly branded. A note with your logo is hard to mistake for real currency.
- Keep a count. Know how many were printed and how many were given out.
Social media and PR
Branded notes are made to be photographed. When you share images, make it obvious that the notes are promotional props. A caption such as "our launch notes" is enough. Avoid images that suggest a real cash giveaway unless it really is one and you are following the relevant rules. Our guide for content creators explains how to present prop money honestly.
Working with an agency timeline
A typical custom job runs in four stages: brief and quote, artwork and proof, print and finish, then dispatch. Build a week of slack into each stage if the date is fixed, and tell the studio the event date at the start. If your client is slow to approve, say so early. A realistic timeline protects the launch, because a late note is worth nothing at the party. Keep one point of contact on each side, and keep all approvals in one email thread.
What to put in the quote request
To get an accurate quote quickly, include the quantity, the number of designs, the format, any special finish, the delivery address and the date. Attach artwork if you have it, or a description if you do not. Mention whether the notes will be handed out in public or used on camera, because that affects how the markings are placed. The more detail you give, the fewer questions we need to ask.
Common mistakes
- Copying a real note. It is both a legal risk and a poor brand idea.
- Leaving too little time. Printing, proofs and delivery all take days.
- Forgetting the back. A blank back is a missed chance.
- Skipping the briefing. Event staff and guests need to know what the notes are.
- Printing without a spare. Notes disappear.
Where to go next
See custom and branded props for the range, read the compliance page for the standard, or contact the studio with your brief.
