What are holographic films?

HolographicFilms.com

What are Holographic Films?

Holographic films are very thin, flexible plastic films [Polyester (PET), Oriented Polypropylene (OPP) and Nylon (Bonyl)] which have been micro-embossed with a holographic image or pattern.

The embossing process creates a pattern (such as dots or cracks) or an image (such as a car) which can provide a 3-D effect and/or spectral (rainbow) coloring. The embossing process is similar to cutting tiny grooves into the surface of the film at various angles and in different shapes.

The micro-embossed grooves cause the "diffraction" of regular white light into spectral coloring. This is very similar to the diffraction of white light into spectral colors by a crystal prism.

The images and the colors you see depend upon the position and angle from which you are looking at the film. The image and spectral coloring will change as you view the grooves at different positions and different angles. Most holographic films are metallized with Aluminum on the embossed surface. This serves to protect the embossed surface as well as reflecting light through the embossed surface providing a more colorful and brighter image.

There are various different ways to emboss films. Typically, an embossing machine uses rolls to stamp or press the image into the film. Regardless of how the film is embossed, holographic films provide the same effects and can be used in many different ways.

Holographic films can be "pressure sensitized" to make label or sticker material. This is done by applying a pressure sensitive adhesive and a release liner to the metallized surface of the film. Labels or stickers can then be created by die or machine cutting the film into the desired shape, removing the excess film and then discarding the release liner to expose the adhesive surface of the finished sticker or label.

Holographic films can be laminated to different types of materials for various packaging applications. They can be laminated to sealable films to make form, fill and seal roll stock packaging or premade flexible bags. They can be laminated to paper or card stock to make consumer packaging and specialty gift boxes and bags. Holographic nylon films can be extrusion coated with sealable polyethylene (PE) for manufacturing into metallic balloons. Holographic polyester films (PET) can also be coated with special adhesives to make holographic hot stamping foils for decorative application to paper or card stock.

Holographic polyester films can also be chopped into glitter or powder and then applied to textile products or mixed into other materials to provide a unique holographic effect.

There really is no limit to the applications for holographic films. We'd be more than happy to discuss any new ideas you may have for holographic films. You can contact us at productinfo@HolographicFilms.com. Also, if you would like more detailed information about holograms and how they are made, you may find the following sites of interest:

Fun with Holograms