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Though there are
a multitude of types of holograms, we concern ourselves
here with only the main commercially viable holographic
technologies for ‘mass production’, these being
Photopolymer Film type (Polymer Hologram) and Micro-Embossed
type (Embossed Hologram) imagery. Each type of hologram
can have a wide range of appearances depending on the artwork
style and the specific materials used in production.
Both Photopolymer and Embossed type holograms can be replicated
as either opaque or transparent labels, while only the Embossed
type can be produced as opaque (metalized) or transparent
hot stamping foil.
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These are the most widely used form of holograms due to
their low per-piece cost in large production runs. The holograms
seen on Visa and Master Card, as well as those famous images
gracing the covers of National Geographic are all Embossed
type holograms.
Though the mastering and tooling techniques are the most
complex (and thereby the most costly) of all hologram formats,
once setup is complete the replication of Embossed type
holograms is by far the fastest and most cost effective.
Replicating Embossed type holograms is accomplished through
the ‘pressing’ of the microscopic ‘groove
structure’ (surface relief interference pattern) that
creates the hologram image into thin plastic ‘film’,
generally metalized polyester. Micro-Embossing equipment
varies widely in size and specific applicability, but in
all cases is large, complex, and expensive.
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A
D 2000 Inc. offers a wide range of embossed type holograms
from pressure sensitive labels to hot stamping foils. Set
up costs for custom embossed type holograms start at $2,500,
though HoloBank
offers a multitude of customizable stock embossed holograms
as well. Please see our pages on Custom
Holograms, Stock Holograms
and Security Holograms for details.
These holograms are by far the most realistic looking mass-production
holograms available and with the greatest appearance of
depth. Mainly used in as decorations for gift and promotional
items such as bookmarks, postcards, and watch faces –
the most recent craze is their use as ‘cell phone
screen ornaments’.
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Virtually
all Photopolymer Holograms are created from actual models
(the same size as the finished image), and of course A D
2000 Inc. offers a full compliment of modeling services
for custom hologram projects. Presently, the only commercially
viable photopolymer hologram film is created by the DuPont
corporation and replicated at only a handful of specially
licensed facilities in the world.
Though the mastering and tooling techniques are simpler
(and thereby the less costly) than Embossed Holograms, once
setup is complete each and every Photopolymer Hologram is
exposed to it’s ‘master image’ with the
use of a laser beam, making the process much slower and
thereby more costly on a per-piece basis.
A D 2000 Inc. offers high quality custom photopolymer originations
as well as a full line of Stock
Image Photopolymer Holograms.
Please note that the images shown on this site merely photographic
renderings of holograms and that in order to understand
the amazing impact, depth, and captivating nature of any
hologram it must be viewed first hand, so please order
samples of the specific images you would like to see. |
