Performance money cue plan
Custom Money for Magic Shows and Illusion Acts
Build fictional bills around what the audience sees, what the performer handles and what the crew must reset. Custom money can support an original routine, character, sponsor moment or theatrical reveal without relying on a generic stack that does not match the act.
Design money for the act →Audience distance
Match the bill to the viewing condition.
A close spectator can inspect details that disappear from a theater seat. Choose the design scale around the farthest important viewer and the briefest moment the bill is visible.
Close-up
Prioritize clean printing, deliberate edges and controlled face details for hands-on or table-side viewing.
Parlor
Increase contrast and simplify the focal mark so a small audience recognizes the bill during handling.
Stage
Use bold shapes, large denominations and clear stacks when the audience reads volume more than fine detail.
Camera feed
Test the actual lens, lighting and screen magnification when the performance is projected or recorded.
Handling choreography
Design around the move.
Every fold, fan, count, switch, load and reveal changes which area of the bill is visible. Map the artwork to the performer’s real hand position instead of designing a flat image in isolation.
Protect the focal detail
Place the important portrait, word or denomination where fingers will not cover it during the key beat.
Control face direction
Mark rehearsal and performance sets so the correct side and orientation are repeatable under pressure.
Hold long enough to read
Coordinate design contrast with the performer’s pause, body angle and lighting cue.
Return to a known state
Package each routine in performance order with backups that match the same folds, bands or preparation.
Version control
Separate the bills by purpose.
The cleanest, most detailed bills used for inspection, featured handling or camera close-ups.
Bills prepared for folds, loads, tears, throws or other routine-specific handling.
Matching replacements labeled by cue so the act can recover without rebuilding the entire prop package.
Before rehearsal
Design checklist
- Confirm the audience distance and camera coverage.
- Identify every visible side and hand position.
- Choose fictional branding that belongs to the act.
- Define quantities for performance, rehearsal and backup.
Before performance
Preset checklist
- Count and orient every packet.
- Inspect bands, folds and prepared pieces.
- Place backups with a named crew member.
- Record the end-state needed for the next show.
Related tools
Prepare the performance package.
Prop Money for Theater Productions
Plan distance, handling and repeat performances for the stage.
Fire-Retardant Custom Bills
Review material considerations for controlled performance venues.
Custom Bills for Concerts and Events
Coordinate distribution and visibility in live environments.
Custom Money With a Photo
Build an original portrait or character into a custom bill.
Magic-show FAQ
Planning questions
Should stage money use the same detail as close-up money?
Usually not. Stage designs need larger, simpler visual cues, while close-up pieces benefit from more controlled detail and finish.
Can several versions be made for one routine?
Yes. Plan the differences around the routine’s method, visible moments and reset procedure so versions never become mixed.
How should performance backups be organized?
Label them by routine and cue, prepare them to the same orientation or fold, and keep them with the person responsible for recovery.
Can custom bills include a performer’s portrait?
Yes. Choose an image and composition that remain recognizable at the intended audience distance.
