How do holographic security stickers work? – Sticker it

You have probably come across more than one hologram security sticker without being overly aware of them. They are part of your passport and credit cards and many high-value products.

But what really are they? And how do they work? Can you just use a holographic sticker to secure your products? Read on to find out.

What are security holograms?

Security holograms are used to protect official documents and products. They are hard to counterfeit and are available in different levels of optical security incorporated. This is why they are often used to prove the authenticity of a document or make something hard to copy - perfect for copyrighted brands.

How are security holograms made?

Security holograms are made using a metalized film. This film is made from a layer of polyester or other clear plastics. Then, a thin layer of metal is applied on top of that. Together, these films are run through embossing rollers.

These rollers have your design engraved onto them. By rolling them over the material, your design gets stamped into the material. There are also laser-based processes that burn your design into the sticker.

Do hologram stickers have security features?

Holographic stickers are not security holograms. Holographic stickers consist of a similar material: a vinyl base with a metalized film applied. However, this material is printed onto with a digital printer, not a laser or an embossing roll.

What you can do with holographic stickers is tap into the associations of hologram stickers. Custom security holograms can get expensive, which is not always economically viable for small business. Minimum orders for such security holograms can be around 30,000 units.

Holographic stickers are much cheaper and replicate a similar look: the hologram catches light waves, so the holographic image appears to have a rainbow effect. You can submit any design you would like, and we can create a custom holographic sticker or even a hologram label for you.

How can I create a holographic image?

A holographic sticker is a great way to create a high-quality and premium look for your product. Creating a holographic design can sometimes seem tricky. But it does not have to be.

You can create your own holographic sticker design in no time with Graphic, our free online design tool. Simply open the interface and choose the holographic material. The background will then change, and you can get started.

You can play with the holographic effect by adding several layers of color. One option is to simply print a single layer of any color on top of the material. This will create a colored metallic look.

If you want specific parts of your design to have an opaque look instead, we print white between the color and the material. You can see that in the image below. The white and black parts have white ink behind them, giving them a vibrant look.

And that's all you need to know about security holograms. You can either check out our custom holographic stickers right here or continue learning about the world of sticker printing with the articles below: