“The government prints money” compresses several institutions into one imaginary machine. In the United States, banknotes and coins follow different production systems, and the Federal Reserve, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and U.S. Mint do not perform the same role.
The Federal Reserve Board decides how many notes to order
The U.S. Currency Education Program says the Federal Reserve Board places an annual currency order based on expected public demand, replacement of worn notes and inventory needs.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing manufactures the notes
BEP, part of the Treasury Department, prints Federal Reserve notes at facilities in Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas. Modern notes are built through multiple printing stages, including offset, intaglio and overprinting, with security features integrated throughout the process.
The printed sheet becomes circulating currency through the Federal Reserve system
The Federal Reserve arranges transport to Reserve Bank cash offices. Reserve Banks then distribute notes to commercial banks, credit unions and other depository institutions, and they also inspect returned currency for fitness and authenticity.
The U.S. Mint manufactures legal-tender coins
The Mint cuts blanks from metal coils, anneals and cleans them, forms the rim, then strikes the planchets between dies. Circulating coins are inspected, counted and packaged before moving into the Federal Reserve distribution network.
Physical currency wears out and demand changes
Cash production is partly replacement. Reserve Banks remove worn banknotes from circulation, while many coins remain in use for decades. The U.S. Mint notes that new coins are only a fraction of all coins circulating at any moment because old coins repeatedly cycle between people, businesses and banks.
Cash is a supply chain, not a printing press metaphor
The Federal Reserve orders and issues banknotes, BEP manufactures them, the Mint makes coins, and banks distribute physical currency into daily use. “Making money” becomes much clearer when you separate those jobs.