Tour the BEP
May 6, 2026
Most of us have never seen $1 million at once, but a visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) in Washington, D.C., would change that. Each year, the agency prints billions of U.S. paper currency for delivery to the Federal Reserve System. If necessary, the BEP can print a billion notes in a day.
For those who want to see the presses in action, the Washington, D.C., branch offers free 45-minute tours Monday through Friday, typically from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the country’s money is produced. As visitors are led through the facility and factory, a knowledgeable guide shares information about the engineers, engravers, and designers who create our paper currency.
From The Reading Room