How do holographic security labels work?

Holographic security labels work by using a microscopic diffractive pattern embossed into a metallised or transparent film, which splits and reflects light to create a shifting, rainbow-like visual effect that changes as the viewing angle changes, something that is very difficult to reproduce with standard printing or photocopying.

The diffractive pattern is created by an origination process that etches a microstructure, invisible to the naked eye, into a master shim, which is then used to emboss the pattern onto a thin metallised or optically variable film. When light hits this microstructure, it diffracts into its component wavelengths, producing the colour-shifting effect that is the visual signature of a genuine hologram. Because the microstructure is extremely fine and specific to the origination tooling used, a photocopier, scanner, or standard printing press cannot capture or reproduce it, which is what makes holograms an effective overt security feature.

Custom hologram designs, unique to a specific brand and produced under non-disclosure protection, add a further layer of protection since a generic or off-the-shelf hologram pattern offers less assurance than one that only the brand’s approved manufacturer can produce. Holograms can be applied as a standalone patch, a full-surface metallised film, or integrated into a broader label construction alongside print, VOID patterns, or serialisation, depending on how prominent the brand wants the security feature to be.