[BOUNTY CLOSED] Open Source (CC) Paper Wallet Kit for safe offline coin storage

[DBordello]

Any thoughts on extending this to 2-of-3 implementations?

At the moment, support for 2-of-3 seems to really be lacking.  There are some scripts to export an armory wallet this way, but not a particular address. 

I think there are two overall goals of paper backups that 2-of-3 helps fix. 

1.  If you someone finds it,  you don't want them to be able to steal all your coins.
2.  If you lose it, you want to be able to recover it.

Thoughts?

[aantonop]

Any thoughts on extending this to 2-of-3 implementations?

At the moment, support for 2-of-3 seems to really be lacking.  There are some scripts to export an armory wallet this way, but not a particular address. 

I think there are two overall goals of paper backups that 2-of-3 helps fix. 

1.  If you someone finds it,  you don't want them to be able to steal all your coins.
2.  If you lose it, you want to be able to recover it.

Thoughts?

This is a great idea.

I am not familiar enough with 2-of-3. I assume it is simply the special case of the m-of-n signing primitive.

Can you advise on how this would affect the layout? What would be printed on the note? We can certainly adjust the software later, but the design and template will need to be able to adapt to it, so we have to get those "right" now.

Advice? I think this is a critical idea...

[aantonop]

I will update the template shortly to include full public keys.

aantonop, Will the full private key be needed as well? Just thinking about how to space things out to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Not sure if you intend to have the private key on there with some sort of scratchoff sticker as well or what.

I was planning on having the full base58 keys: pub and private printed text under the QR code, inside the blank squares. Not in a new area.

I want to keep the number and size of the "blanks" limited to allow for maximum design space. If we can fit or extent the squares a bit, so as not to add another area, that would be best I think...

Once the template is done, we could demonstrate all the variations of models that can be printed. If we call the areas A-F for example, we could have a note that prints like this:

-Note with stub: A=pub, B=priv, C=firstbits, D=blank, E=pub, F=priv
-Note without stub: A=pub, B=priv, C=firstbits, D=blank, E=blank, F=blank
-Wide note: A=pub, B=blank, C=firstbits, D=blank, E=priv, F=blank
-Stub only: E=pub, F=priv, all else blank.

So for example, your design is the first one. 75RTUGA's is the second (traditional style?). No one has done the other two.

One engine, one template, 5-6 possible layouts, hundreds of designs.

[acorn]

I'm still a little confused about the logistics of how the key can be printed under the QR code. The user receives blank sheets (with artwork only), prints the QR code into the blank boxes. Is there an intermediary step where the base58 keys are applied?

If you had a blank box with text inside it, and printed a QR code over it, the resulting QR code wouldn't work.

[acorn]

Was thinking about other designs today, and was curious -- have you picked the paper weight, and the brightness of the paper yet? Is the reverse side plain, or will it be patterned?

[aantonop]

I'm still a little confused about the logistics of how the key can be printed under the QR code. The user receives blank sheets (with artwork only), prints the QR code into the blank boxes. Is there an intermediary step where the base58 keys are applied?

If you had a blank box with text inside it, and printed a QR code over it, the resulting QR code wouldn't work.

Sorry, I meant "below" or "around", not under. Y axis, not Z.

  [QR]
kkkeeyyy

or

kkkkk
[QR]ee
yyyyy

[aantonop]

Was thinking about other designs today, and was curious -- have you picked the paper weight, and the brightness of the paper yet? Is the reverse side plain, or will it be patterned?

It will either have a repeating pattern on the entire back of the sheet, or designers can submit two sided designs, which need to have elements that obscure the opposite-side QR from showing through, or being copied with a photocopier from underneath.

For example, a spirograph, mandala, "seal", or other pattern, positioned and with darker ink, will sufficiently mangle the writing showing through the paper.


Overall, I'm open to design suggestions. I would like to be able to support a range of needs from:

- Plain 80mg paper, on color laser or inkjet for home use. Essentially, a contribution to bitaddress users and code
- Some might prefer gloss, so consumer inkjet/laser photo paper, still home use, but slightly better quality -

My personal taste is more for matte finish.

Ideally a heavy weight, resistant to curling. Depending on the design, if it doesn't have micro-printing features (which are not really necessary), then a slightly more porous, fibrous, cotton based paper will work too (wove,laid,linen), even if it bleeds a bit, as longs as the design isn't too fine.

Summarize:

Sides: Both, pattern or design
Finish: Matte
Texture: Wove, Linen, Laid or Coated
Weight: Bond #28 or heavier, Text #80 or heavier, or possibly some specialist Tag or Index type. (not Card)
Opacity: 100% or Highest
Brightness: Medium-Low
Archival Quality: High (resistance to yellowing)

The exact brand and model will depend on local suppliers.
Something like a New Crown Plus Matte Cover or Bond will probably exist widely, in a variety of weights and brightness.

[Woodcock36]

Regrettably, my design partner and I decided that we cannot take place in thistoday. Time does not allow for us to put in, what we feel would be an appropriate amount of time to make it worthwhile. We did discuss over the cutting table some ideas, including the backside. One that sticks in my mind is putting a "pattern" of 'text' designed to look like the lines in a standard currency of important websites to btc as a way to advertise the community. Like I say, these were quick notions while standing over a weeding table at a print/sign shop, so they may be worthless, but as we always say, even the worst ideas can spark the best.... 

[aantonop]

Regrettably, my design partner and I decided that we cannot take place in thistoday. Time does not allow for us to put in, what we feel would be an appropriate amount of time to make it worthwhile. We did discuss over the cutting table some ideas, including the backside. One that sticks in my mind is putting a "pattern" of 'text' designed to look like the lines in a standard currency of important websites to btc as a way to advertise the community. Like I say, these were quick notions while standing over a weeding table at a print/sign shop, so they may be worthless, but as we always say, even the worst ideas can spark the best.... 

As I said, this will all be open. So, your design can be added to the collection at any time. In fact, I hope we will have dozens and dozens of designs in a dropdown selection, in the printing software (derived from bitaddress.org probably).

Please do stay and contribute,
Perhaps some rich bitcoin early adopter will jump in and add to the bounty - OPEN CC-BY-SA license - if anyone pays, we ALL get to use it.

Starting on Monday, the openpaperwallet will be crowdfunded on two major crowdfunding sites. Early contributors will help launch the project and will get paper wallet kits in the mail from the very first quality production run. I will also be giving bigger rewards including reseller kits from my print runs for those who want to jump start a reseller business (100 kits, ready to sell, wholesale price, shipped worldwide).

The funds raised will be used to finance the open source code, web design and many more wallet designs. So don't go away ;-)

[Woodcock36]

Regrettably, my design partner and I decided that we cannot take place in thistoday. Time does not allow for us to put in, what we feel would be an appropriate amount of time to make it worthwhile. We did discuss over the cutting table some ideas, including the backside. One that sticks in my mind is putting a "pattern" of 'text' designed to look like the lines in a standard currency of important websites to btc as a way to advertise the community. Like I say, these were quick notions while standing over a weeding table at a print/sign shop, so they may be worthless, but as we always say, even the worst ideas can spark the best.... 

As I said, this will all be open. So, your design can be added to the collection at any time. In fact, I hope we will have dozens and dozens of designs in a dropdown selection, in the printing software (derived from bitaddress.org probably).

Please do stay and contribute,
Perhaps some rich bitcoin early adopter will jump in and add to the bounty - OPEN CC-BY-SA license - if anyone pays, we ALL get to use it.

Starting on Monday, the openpaperwallet will be crowdfunded on two major crowdfunding sites. Early contributors will help launch the project and will get paper wallet kits in the mail from the very first quality production run. I will also be giving bigger rewards including reseller kits from my print runs for those who want to jump start a reseller business (100 kits, ready to sell, wholesale price, shipped worldwide).

The funds raised will be used to finance the open source code, web design and many more wallet designs. So don't go away ;-)

I will be around and working on this in my spare time. As I said before, if there is anything I can do on the production end, I work in a pretty high end print shop and have access to anything necessary. I understand this is open source, but producing 'bills' that can be, for lack of a better term, standardized and accepted should be a short-long-term goal. If you need anything feel free to give me a shout.

[acorn]

In a very strange turn of events, I've just returned from being locked outside on my own balcony for several hours.   I will work on making space for the public and private keys for templates tomorrow morning! Thanks for explaining, I see what you mean now.

Cheers

[acorn]

It will either have a repeating pattern on the entire back of the sheet, or designers can submit two sided designs, which need to have elements that obscure the opposite-side QR from showing through, or being copied with a photocopier from underneath.

For example, a spirograph, mandala, "seal", or other pattern, positioned and with darker ink, will sufficiently mangle the writing showing through the paper.

I've prepared some reverse-side patterns for anyone who wishes to mangle the backside of their notes.



Illustrator Swatch Files (save to your Swatches folder): Plain Version, Monogram Version

So, aantonop, Firstbits: y/n?

[aantonop]

I think adding firstbits is not good idea. It is something that completely relies on 3rd-party service. I for sure won't ever mess with some
3rd-party services if there is no absolute need for such action. I do not want anyone to connect IP with addresses, nor I like the idea of
not being able to send or receive bitcoins because 3rd-party service is under DDoS, down due to FBI or something along those lines.

I have to admit I did not understand the post above.

When I was referring to first bits, I was simply referring to showing the first few characters of the PUBLIC key in a slightly larger font, so that the note can be identified at a glance when held in a stack of similar notes.

So if the public key for the bill is: 1GE6KGzNwrh9tasmA4x15orsGr6eojh3dX, we print a QR code and this text in the blank space. Then we print the first few characters of the same text in a larger font on the front, like GE6KGz (6 characters).

There is never any IP connection or anything like that.

I may be missing something.

[aantonop]

I received the security stickers today. These are the 1" x 1" security scratch-off that will be applied to protect the private key.

The image below shows one, used on the traditional paper wallet design. Since the private key space is a bit bigger than 1" x 1", I applied it to the public key (yes, I know there's no point in protecting it, it's just for visual demo)



As you can see, the bottom of the sticker is plastic coated so that when you scratch it off, you don't damage the print underneath. In fact, it keeps the key protected from water and other damage too. They cost only $0.05 if bought in a 1,000 roll, less for bigger orders.

[aantonop]

We have a code contribution from a new user (jonis) who has not even been able to exit the Newbie section, but has been following with interest.

The code prints onto acorn's template. It is a great start for the code that will be part of openpaperwallet

Many thanks to jonis. If an admin can make the whitelisting happen, please do!

Code: http://jonls.dk/wallet-kit-addresses/

[jonls]

Thanks, I can reply now. The code is also available in this fork https://github.com/jonls/openpaperwallet . There are still some bugs to be sorted out but I hope this provides a good foundation. The layout is done using a style sheet that only applies when printing, therefore it will look more or less like bitaddress.org on the screen. However, when printing the layout changes to comply with whatever scheme that is decided upon (currently it is set up to the scheme proposed by acorn). When printing it is important that the browser does not add any margins to the printed page otherwise it won't fit correctly to the scheme. This can for example be accomplished in Chrome by setting "margins" to "none" in the print dialog.

[aantonop]

here's an example of the output from jonis' tool:

[aantonop]

As you can see, FirstBits as a term is already defined. First link posted above will reveal to you major issues with using FirstBits, while second one

Ah, thanks. I did not know that. Ok.

EVERYONE: We are printing the key PREFIX on the note. Not firstbits, that was a misunderstood term. Ju.st the first 6 characters

No thoughts about my template? "I would like to see some even more radical designs" yet you seem to be sticking with "money-like" templates, hmm.

Well, I needed to understand the assumption behind it. At first, I did not understand the issue with "firstbits" because I was using the term incorrectly.


I was hoping to have one standardized template, multiple designs, since the template is affected by the code.

If people think we need a second, more compact template, one that has lees space for design graphics, and is more utilitarian, then we should add another template. We'll have an option in the code to pick layouts and designs.

I would like to think that the template I suggested could be used for a variety of designs, some a lot less like "money". The shape and size however are a matter of convenience for physical wallets, envelopes etc, not just copying money.

One other thing - what is accomplished with wallet having 2 areas for identical codes and addresses? It reminds me of a ticket of some sort,

Yes, it is exactly like a ticket receipt/stub. It is intended to offer a smaller, compact backup copy of the keys. In a way, the stub is very much like your layout: compact and utilitarian. The template I proposed essentially prints a wide note and a compact copy of it on one row. The stub is to be kept in a different location.

As for the "print 2", it is possible, but more expensive than a smaller backup stub. I think people want nice graphic designs, so they want something a bit larger than your template for the main design, but also want a compact backup. That's why the template has two sizes on it.

I could be wrong of course. I really am open to suggestions, so I want to hear from more people on this!

Thanks for your feedback!

[aantonop]

There was a missunderstanding, because for me the term "template" refers to item purpose, not it's format or shapes and colors on it. Thus,
for me, "design" of the template does not exclude messing with placement of the boxes and other template building blocks.

My job is so much easier if all you need are just different graphics, but I still think going with compact form of the wallets would be a nice
move. Moreover, having the massive paper wallet not just saying "Bitcoin Note", "Bank Note" or something along those lines but looking as
something that has or carries value as well does not really sounds safe. By far the easiest way to protect something that has or carries
value is to put it in front of everyone and make it look worthless. I have been victim of thieves on many occassions, within my own home
and on trips around the planet, and I can tell you with high certainty that most thieves would probably steal valueable looking paper if they
stumble upon it, even if they have no clue what it is or what it represents.

Paper wallets I'm using now are worn-out and ugly looking bills from beer or similar purchases, with keys written using just normal pencil.  

I think we are simply trying to address different market needs.

The defined purpose of this project is to create beautiful, pre-printed wallets on nice quality paper, which can be sold to new users. They are meant to be pretty and look valuable, because they are meant to be stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Not to say that your approach is not the right one, just that it is in a different direction from the goals of this project. I think bitaddress.org code could be easily modified (like jonis did) to print wallets using a template like yours.

[acorn]

Putting together the template to include space for the base58 keys now. For the full private key, are you going to be using another of those 1x1" stickers to cover it?