Imprinting Procedure.
Preparation of the master.
A master is usually a metal plate (e.g., nickel) on which a microscopic holographic pattern is engraved.
This master is produced by laser holography and contains a complex interference pattern.
Selection of substrate.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film or BOPP (bi-oriented polypropylene) film is commonly used as the substrate.
Heating.
The substrate is heated to the proper temperature to make it soft and easy to mold.
Imprinting.
The heated substrate is pressed onto a master plate using a high-pressure roller.
Pressure and temperature need to be precisely controlled to ensure complete pattern transfer.
Cooling.
The substrate is quickly cooled to fix the holographic pattern.
Separation.
Carefully separate the embossed substrate from the master.
Coating Procedure.
Vacuum Metallization.
In a vacuum environment, a very thin layer of metal (usually aluminum) is evaporated and deposited onto the surface of the embossed substrate.
This step enhances the reflectivity and clarity of the holographic effect.
Protective coating.
A transparent protective coating is applied to the metallized surface.
This coating protects the hologram from scratches and environmental damage.
Adhesive Coating.
An adhesive coating is applied to the back side to allow the label to be applied to a variety of surfaces.
Depending on the application, permanent or reusable adhesives are available.
UV Curing.
The coating is irradiated with UV light for rapid drying and curing.
Quality Inspection.
Specialized optical equipment is used to check the quality and consistency of the holographic effect.
Post-processing.
Cutting, punching or printing of additional information as required.
These steps are usually carried out in a strictly controlled environment to ensure the high quality of the final product. Each step requires precise control and specialized equipment, which is one of the reasons holographic label paper is relatively expensive.