Hologram overview_hologram suppliers

Holograms cannot be counterfeit? Some companies will make counterfeit hologram too if your hologram is not complicated and without high security hologram feature.

Information reference source from Hologram Manufacturer , www.hlhologram.com, www.IHMA.org, www.securityhologram.com

hologram labels are very widely demanded as they play a vital role for security in almost all conceivable sectors in the market from OEMs to distributors and retailers. Hologram labels are easy to use and are a very cost effective solution against duplication. These labels when affixed on the desired place provide a direct visual means for the final customer to verify the genuineness of the product. Today, it is seen that that the public universally accepts as proof of authenticity only those products with hologram labels depicting depth, color and movement in an imprint. The hologram is irreplaceable in the current battle against counterfeit merchandise. Many manufacturers supply hologram labels in sheets for manual application and in reels for automatic machine application.

Advantages of Hologram Labels

Hologram labels have certain advantages which are not available in ordinary printed labels. These are as follows:

Hologram labels cannot be copied.
They cannot be altered.
They cannot be adapted or manufactured cheaply from scratch.
Hologram labels are also unique as they are able to provide covert (hidden) identity and overt (visual) identity embedded within the same area of the space printed.
From a purely branding and impact point of view, hologram labels affixed on any packaged product extends much more shelf-appeal and adds greatly to consumers' perception of quality.

Benefit of Polyester and Acetate Hologram Labels

Polyester hologram labels use a selective release which leaves a pattern of dots as shown below:

Acetate hologram labels are frangible. They will tear when an attempt is made to remove them as shown below:

Uses of Hologram Labels: Hologram labels are used to protect high-value, high-volume products and equipment from the increasing worldwide risk of counterfeit. Accordingly, hologram tamper evident labels are used for:

Authentication label for identification
Authentication label for collectibles
Authentication label for documents
Authentication label for packaging etc.

Applications of hologram labels

Hologram labels are used in many products like as follows:

Company ID cards
Membership cards
Artwork
Coins
Autographed & licensed products
Gift certificates
Bank checks
Product Packaging for brand protection.
Parking Passes
Driver's license
Pharmaceuticals
Cigarettes and alcohol
Clothing
Cosmetics etc.

Hologram Label Options

Following are a number of the specific techniques used in making hologram labels:

Custom Etching and Overprinting: Custom etching is a powerful way to customize the look of an image. The method of etching or overprinting on customizing images offers great flexibility within a hologram authenticity program. The addition of etching or overprinting results into multiple uses of the same image. For example: you can have multiple departments dates while employing a single hologram image.
Tamper Evident: Tamper Evident labels show "evidence of tampering" if removal is attempted. If the tamper evident label is removed, the remaining portions that come off is considered invalid or unusable.
Sequential Numbering: Sequential numbering can serve a variety of purposes, like inventory control, product tracking and multiple uses of a single stock hologram.
Special Die Cutting: Hologram labels in rolls can be given different shapes like square or round labels ready for hand application. However, many images can be given varying shapes and sizes for greater level of customization.

Some guidelines to use hologram label

The minimum application temperature is +35F to apply labels.
The application surface should be clean and dry.
After application, the service temperature range of hologram label is -50F to +200F.
Polyester hologram labels are suireference for indoor and outdoor applications.
If an ID card printer is used to printing ID cards , the hologram label should be applied after the card is printed. If the label is applied before printing, it will affect the printing quality and damage the print head.
Hologram labels can also be applied on the finished card after heat sealing.

Most hologram stickers are self-adhesive tamper-evident security hologram stickers providing authentication, security and protection against counterfeit.

DOT-MATRIX Holographic Sticker
In Dot-Matrix Hologram, there are unlimited computer controlled and laser beam engraved dots. Each dot depicts a separate diffraction grating. They create a beautiful impact of variable images on a single sticker. Dot-matrix Hologram stickers can have lots zooming, moving, flipping effect etc. which add to their popularity.
True Color Holographic Sticker
True Color Holograms are those holograms that are made up of photographic quality artwork. These stickers are highly demanded because they are a very good way to achieve anti-counterfeit performance. This is because they cannot duplicate or copy hologram sticker close to original one if they do not get the original photo.
Flip-Flop Holographic Sticker
Flip-Flop hologram has the unique property of displaying two images from two different viewing angle. In other words, when the viewing angle changes left to right (horizontally) or upside and down (vertically), different images emerges through the hologram. One hologram image will be hidden and another hologram image will display when the view angle is changed.
Kinetic movement Sticker
Like flip flop hologram, Kinetic movement hologram stickers can also be seen from different viewing angle. These hologram stickers are made both by 2D/3D and dot-matrix type hologram.
Combination of Holograms
Combination holograms can be used to make stickers that create an impact that not only has extra-ordinary viewing effects but also security features. Usually, it is recommended to combine 2D/3D and dot-matrix types which can have the advantages of both the sharp kinetic movements of dot-matrix and the depth of 2D/3D holograms into the stickers.
2D/3D Hologram Stickers
These hologram stickers are made up of multiple two dimension layers. The images are visually placed one over the other with visual depth which produce an effect of three-dimensional structure on the stickers. The stickers have very good visual depth between different layers and shininess on the first layer.
2D Hologram Stickers
These stickers are made up of two dimension images. The images are given various colors and position in one layer. The sicker has one layer on hologram image without visual depth.
Micro text or image Sticker
These hologram stickers can be clearly seen by magnifier and difficult to be seen clearly by naked eye.
Transparent hologram sticker
These are see through type stickers, pasted onto documents. Then text under hologram image can be seen through transparent holographic sticker

Properties of Hologram Stickers

Pressure tamper evident holographic sticker:
These stickers are damaged when they are removed. The holographic image is easily destroyed under pressure when the sticker is teared off and then the sticker cannot be reused again.
Different Color or Thickness of Holographic Sticker:
Various color options are available like metalized film, silver, gold, blue, green etc. However, the most popular colors are usually silver color or golden metalized color. The stickers are also available in varied thicknesses. The thicker the material, the heavier is the sticker , and hence a little more expensive than the thinner sticker.
Hidden Text or Image
Hidden text or image feature on a hologram sticker means an unique encrypted image or text, which is invisible to the naked eye but is detecreference by means of a pocket laser reader.
Serial Number Hologram Sticker
Serial numbers on hologram stickers are extra security feature. They improve management of goods and provide anti-counterfeit ability by pasting each hologram sticker onto the package of goods.
Overprinting Release
Overprinting released hologram stickers leaves a black overpriting word 'VOID' after the sticker is peeled off. It can also be in other colors.

Applications of Hologram Stickers

Hologram stickers are used to enhance brand image & security in various types of industries. Stickers are used as a very attractive and viable option in product packaging and security applications. Hologram stickers find application in industries & sectors as listed below. The list of application of hologram stickers is growing day-by-day.

Chemicals / Detergents, Fertilizers, Seeds
Fine Jewelry / Watches
Building Material / Hardware
Aircraft/ Automotive & High Technology/Engineering Spares & Machine Parts
Sporting goods, Toys, Gifts/novelties
Electrical/ Electronic Appliances & Components
Recording Media
Clothing Hang-tags
Branded fashion wear & Accessories
Driving Licenses
Certificates
Confidential Documents & Envelopes
Security, Bonds, Fsinancial & Share Certificates
Bank Cheques
Drafts & Guarantees
Loyalty / Vouchers/ Reward /Passes
Credit Cards/ Membership/ ID cards
Computer Peripherals
Stationery Products
Automotive Components
Passport
Excise Revenue Stamps etc.

Types f Hologram

Reflectin Hologram, Transmissin Hologram, Embssed Holograms, Integral Hologram, Rainbow Holograms, Computer Generated Holograms, Multiplex Hologram, Steregram Hologram, Vlume Holograms, Plane Holograms

General Infrmatin

A Basic Idea Abut Hologram, A Histry f Cmmercial Holograms, Benefits f Hologram

Holography Technlgy, Holography Masters, Manufacturing Prcess f a Hologram, Applicatins of Hologram

Applications of Hologram

Ever since its commercial usage in the 70's, there is no looking back for holography and hologram products. The demand has only manifolded with each passing year. Holography has found its applications in almost all industrial sectors including commercial & residential applications. There is no doubt about the fact that in few years from now, you will see a new world of holograms in every aspect. The use of holograms is the representation of a new visual language in communication, where we are moving into the age of light as the media of the future. Holography will soon be an integral part of the light age of information and communications.

Security
One of the fastest and the most popular growing area for the use of holograms is the security and product authentication. The presence of holograms indicates the authenticity of these items. They provide a powerful obstacle to counterfeiting. The security holograms have proven to be unsurpassed when added to documents, anti-counterfeiting, tamper-proofing, customizing ticket protection, identification documents including credit and phone cards, drivers licenses etc. The trend that almost all credit cards carry a hologram is a good sign that security holography has proven to be very effective.

Applications of Holograms
Holograms are used in various products like as follows:

Currency
Credit Card
Legal Document
Government Document
ID Badge
Stock Certificate
Passport
Prescription Pad
Automobile Registration
Drivers License
Branded Products
Collectibles
Warranty Seals
Apparel
Liquor
Tickets
Gift Certificates
Stamps etc.

How to prevent counterfeiting in holograms

Source from Hologram supplier and www.IHMA.org

Though there is no such proof that holograms can be counterfeited, it is always better to believe in the slogan "prevention is better than cure". Some researchers have come up with some effective measures to combat counterfeiting in holograms.

These are as follows:

Hidden information or complex images: One method that can prevent counterfeiting is by including hidden information or by making the image so complicated that it is not worth to duplicate it, considering the time and money involved. Hidden information is of great value only if the cheater cannot find it or duplicate it. So, effective use of hidden information or any kind of complex images requires some sort of relatively simple and inexpensive reading device or decoding device.
Variable processing parameters: This is one way which is extremely difficult to copy using either one-step or two-step copying. The method is to randomly change the exposure, development time or other processing parameters to produce variable shrinkage all over the hologram. This results into a hologram whose color varies from point to point. Because a laser is monochromatic, the brightness of a variable-shrinkage hologram changes dramatically with the shrinkage of the film. In fact, if the film is thick enough or the shrinkage is extreme enough, the copy in most of its regions will have no image at all.
Variable Information: Holograms are not easy to counterfeit if they include variable information like serial numbers, encoded personal information or dates. It is possible to record variable information on holograms while applying holographic hot stamping foil to a substrate.
Special Materials: Another method for complicating the optical copying process is to make the hologram of some special materials which alter the polarization of light or selectively scatter particular wavelengths of light or else the hologram can be over coated or laminated under such materials.
Multiply-Connected Holograms: Another effective approach to preventing mechanical copying of holograms is to make the holograms multiply-connected which means that the hologram is composed of dots or else is punched full of holes.
Combined Countermeasures: All the methods mentioned above may not be the perfect solutions for preventing counterfeiting. In such cases, combined countermeasures or countermeasures used in combination can be highly effective against all of the counterfeiting methods.

There are many methods for counterfeiting security holograms. Though there is no indication whether these methods have been used by counterfeiters or not in the security field, the advancement of holographic technology and the high level of activity in the field will definitely lead to hologram counterfeiting. In the commercial sector, hologram counterfeiting have been occurring in recent years. Hence importance should be given in this area by adopting various methods to fight against counterfeiting on holograms.

Embossed Holograms

Source reference from: http://www.holokits.com/a-Types_of_Holograms.htm and WWW.IHMA.ORG

between the reflection and transmission types of holograms, many variations of holograms can be made. One such popular variation is the embossed hologram. Embossed holograms are the type of holograms used widely in most security applications. They offer an effective method of protection against any forms of manipulation, as they are too difficult to copy due to their complex technical structure. Almost all credit cards and passports have embossed hologram. One of the most common example of an embossed hologram is the "eagle" in any Visa card. These holograms are easily produced in mass quantity at a very low cost. Embossed holograms have become very popular for various purposes, like advertisement, promotion, security labels, plastic cards etc.

Properties of embossed hologram
Some important properties of embossed hologram are as follows:

Embossed holograms have shallow hologram depth. The depth is usually a few millimeters.
The cost per unit when mass-produced is very low.
Embossed holograms are durable and flexible.
One of the peculiar feature of embossed hologram is that mass production can use existing equipment and technology, like in CD production.

Future of Holography Technology

"You'll be walking around in downtown London and be able to see the shops, the stores, see what the traffic is like. Walk in a shop and navigate the merchandise, not in the flat, 2D interface that we have on the web today, but in a virtual reality walk through." - Bill Gates, 2005

Introduction

Source from: http://www.pauladawson.com.au/holo.html

The word hologram is derived from the Greek words "holos" meaning whole and "gamma" meaning message-in other words, holograms depict whole message. Holograms appear to contain a three-dimensional image under proper illumination. They cannot be copied by ordinary means and hence are widely used to prevent counterfeiting of documents such as credit cards, driver's licenses, admission tickets and many other products.

Current applications of holographic technology
Today, the most popular use of holograms is in consumer products and advertising materials. Holograms are also important in various other areas of scientific research, medicine, commerce and industry. We below a list of current holographic applications in various fields:

Holograms are used in consumer packaging of products and advertisement to attract potential buyers.
Holograms are used on magazine/book cover. For example: One of the most memorable Sports Illustrated covers till date was the December 23, 1992 issue featuring Michael Jordan.
Holograms are also used on sports trading cards.
Hologram usage on credit cards, debit cards, I-cards, license etc. provide added security to minimize counterfeiting.
Holography is also used to make archival recordings of valuable and fragile museum artifacts.
Researchers and industry designers use holographic interferometry to test and design many things like tires, engines to prosthetic limbs and artificial bones and joints.
Holographic lens system to read bar codes is widely seen in supermarket and department store scanners.
Holographic optical elements (HOE's) are used while navigating by airplane pilots. In some military aircraft, pilots while looking through the windshield can read their instruments by using a holographic display projected in front of their eyes. This feature is available on some models of automobiles as well and this is depicted below.
Holographic technology is used in medical science in the form of MRI, CAT scan, X-ray, endoscopy, opthalmology etc.
A well known company like Sony Electronics uses holographic technology in their digital cameras.
Holograms have also been used by artists to create pulsed holographic portraits and other works of art and many more.

Future applications of holographic technology

A Basic Idea About Hologram

Source From: www.holographer.com/history1.htm

Holograms are frequently used for security purposes. A Hologram is a type of photographic image having three-dimensional effect and appears to have depth. According to science, whenever an object is viewed, the human eyes each receive a distinct image. This image is received from slightly offset reference points and it is the human brain which combines the image into a three-dimensional one. The same effect is produced artificially by a hologram. A hologram is produced using the technique of holography, which can also be used to optically store, process and retrieve information. In short and simple terms, hologram is three-dimensional laser photography, containing depth and parallax, which mean the ability to see around the object.

How is a hologram created?

From: http://www.answers.com/topic/hologram

The process of creating a hologram is known as holography. In other words, holography is a form of photography-an advanced form-that allows an image to be recorded in three dimensions. Holographic process creates an image made up of two superimposed 2-dimensional images of the same object as seen from different reference points. Lasers are used in holography as it requires the use of light of a single exact wavelength. There are two laser beams and a photographic plate used to take an image of any object. In the process, the laser beams go through beam spreaders and like a flashlight the spreaders spread the laser light out . One beam illuminates the object from the side called the side beam while the other beam travels through the photographic plate. It hits the object head-on which is somewhat similar to the way in which a conventional camera takes a 2-D image. The second beam is known as reference beam and the reflecting light from this beam leaves an image on the photographic plate and at the same time the side beam also creates an image by its light.

The result is thus a photographic plate creating two images simultaneously. The image thus formed is a hologram. The hologram is made up of the interference pattern between the two original images and hence it is a three-dimensional image.

Difference between photography and holography
The only thing common between photography and holography is that they make use of photographic film. The difference between holography and photography is the information recorded and the way the image is produced. While a photograph contains only a single view point of an object, which is produced by a camera lens using a simple geometric or ray model for the behavior of light, the holographic image cannot be produced by a single ray model. The image is produced by diffraction and interference through wave phenomena. This difference in the mode of process makes a photograph two dimensional (2-D) image while a hologram three dimensional (3-D) images.

Characteristics of a hologram

Holograms have certain unique characteristics. These are given below:

Hologram Aberrations: One of the basic characteristics of holograms is that they suffer from aberrations which are caused by a change in the wavelength from construction to reconstruction. This is also caused by a difference in the reference and reconstruction beams. There are two types of aberrations-chromatic and non-chromatic-which are important even when there is a small difference between the reference and reconstruction geometry. One simple way to eliminate all the aberrations simultaneously is to copy exactly one construction beam in the reconstruction process.
Orthoscopic and Pseudoscopic Images: A hologram produces two images, one which is real and the other a virtual image which is an exact replica of the object. However, to the appearance of the observer, the two images differ in appearance. The virtual image has the same appearance of depth and the parallax and produced at the same position as the original object. It appears that the observer is viewing the original object through a window defined by the size of the hologram. This virtual image is known as orthoscopic image. The real image is also formed in front of the hologram at the same time and at the same distance from the hologram. This real image is called pseudoscopic image where the scene depth is inverted.
Off-axis Holography: It is possible to separate the twin images. This was demonstrated in a technique developed by two scientist Leith and Upatnieks in 1962. In this technique, during the recording process, a separate coherent reference wave falls on the hologram plate at an offset angle to the beam from the object. This technique is called an off-axis holography generating real and virtual images angularly separated from each other and also from the direct beam.
Some other characteristics
- It is possible to reconstruct the hologram of a diffuse object by a small portion of the hologram. In other words, if a hologram breaks into pieces, the entire image can be produced by each piece. However, as the size of the hologram reduces, a loss of image perspective, brightness and resolution result in the constructed image.
- Another characteristic of hologram is that a contact print of a hologram will reconstruct a positive image which is not distinguishable from the image produced by the original.
- A cylindrical hologram makes a 360 degree view of the object.
- Without any cross-talk, more than one independent scenes can be stored in the same photographic plate and these can be viewed one at a time.

Applications of holograms

From:http://silver.neep.wisc.edu/~lakes/hoAppl.html and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Holography and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Holography and http://www.optics.arizona.edu/jcwyant/Short_Courses/SPIE-7-30-2000/Session%207.pdf and http://www.holoworld.com/holo/links.html

Holography has today emerged as an important tool in science and technology. It is a well used method to produce pictures and represents one of the most prominent examples of recombining of scattered radiation to produce pictures. This process of producing holograms is now spreading from the research laboratory to various industries, and holograms find wider employment in communication and other engineering problems. A hologram is not only a three-dimensional image but also can store numerous quantities of information. In the computer technology, holograms can be used to store memories which are much larger and faster. Hologram has today become a very well known concept in credit cards, tickets or original covers on software computer programs or any objects to prevent falsification. An important area of application of hologram is bar-code readers in shops, warehouses, libraries etc. A code reader is based on the use of holographic components like optical gratings. Some other examples of the use of holographic technology is in the aircraft industry's head-up displays (HUD) or for making holographic optical elements (HOE) and so on. All these have contributed to make holography an industrial success.

Information from IHMA

Glossary

Get to know a list of certain terms associated with hologram and holographic technique:
Animated holograms: They are made by using time-lapse photography. The object moves between exposures. The object appears to move as the viewpoint changes when the hologram is made from these photos. They are made up of hundreds of image channels
Beamsplitter: This is a device which divides the light from a laser into two separate beams-the reference beam and the object beam.
Channels: They are images in a hologram which change instantly from one to another as the viewer passes by. These images can also fade or overlap as they change.
Coherent light: A coherent light is made from laser and this light is of the same frequency and vibrates in phase.
Computer generated hologram: This is a hologram made from a three-dimensional computer model.
2D/3D Hologram: The hologram is made of multiple 2D layers with hologram images placed one behind another with visual depth that creates an effect of three-dimensional hologram structure.
Diffraction: Bending of light as it passes through very small openings.
Dennis Gabor: He is a physicist from Hungary who discovered the holographic technique and was awarded the nobel prize in 1971.
DOT-MATRIX Hologram: Dot-Matrix Hologram create a beautiful impact of variable images allowing unlimited computer controlled and laser beam engraved dots in hologram.
Embossed holograms: They are made by a manufacturing process which uses a metal replica of a master hologram.
Film: Film consists of light sensitive chemicals or the emulsion spread on a surface.
Flip-Flop Holograms: They can display two images from different viewing angle.
Full color: They represent the natural subject colors as in color photography.
Hologram: A hologram is a record of an image as seen from many viewpoints, giving a three-dimensional effect.
Holography: The process of making hologram is known as holography.
HOE's: These are Holographic Optical Elements, which are actually produced to perform the function of traditional optics, like mirrors and lenses.
Interference pattern: A hologram is formed when two waves overlap. This results in an interference pattern which records the relative phase relationship between the two waves.
Master hologram: The first hologram that is formed and viewable only by laser light, and combined with other masters for the final hologram transfer.
Multiplex holograms: They are stereoscopic holograms made by taking an array of photos with the camera tracking past a subject.
Object beam: The light from a laser beam that illuminated the object and is reflected to the holographic film.
Rainbow holograms: They are transmission holograms where the object appears to change color as the viewpoint moves vertically.
Reference beam: The portion of a laser beam that goes directly to the holographic film.
Reflection hologram: Reflection holograms are viewed with the light source on the same side of the viewer. The light is reflected off the hologram.
Stereogram: This is an alternative to the original hologram process. Here the subject is imaged directly onto the film with a laser exposure.
Tamper evident: Instant recognition of tampering.
Transmission hologram: Transmission holograms are lit from behind or viewed with the light source on the opposite side of the hologram from the viewer. Here the light transmits through the hologram.
Transfer holograms: These holograms are made using a holographic image from a "master" hologram as the object of a second hologram.
True Color Hologram: True Color Hologram is made up of photographic quality art-work, in which counterfeiters can't duplicate hologram close to original one.
Volume Hologram: The angle difference between the object beam and reference beam is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
White light: White light is incoherent and contains most of the wavelengths in the visible spectrum, like light from the sun or from a spotlight.

Hologram Overview