vandmærket

A vandmærket, or watermark in English, is a distinguishing image, pattern, or name that is subtly incorporated into paper during its manufacturing process. This feature is often used for authentication, security, or to indicate ownership. Historically, watermarks were a way for paper makers to identify their products and distinguish them from those of competitors. The technique involves pressing a design or mark into the wet pulp of the paper. When the paper dries, the thin areas where the pulp was pressed create a translucent effect, making the watermark visible when held up to light.

Watermarks have been employed for various purposes. In currency and important documents, they serve as a security feature to prevent counterfeiting. The intricate designs of watermarks can be difficult to replicate accurately. Beyond security, watermarks are also used on artwork, photographs, and digital files to assert copyright and deter unauthorized use. While physical watermarks are embedded during paper production, digital watermarks are added to electronic files, often invisibly, to track their origin or ownership. The study and identification of historical watermarks are also important tools for historians and art scholars in dating and authenticating documents and artworks.