How are hologram stickers made?

How are hologram stickers made?

Introduction to Hologram Stickers

Hologram stickers serve as essential tools for product authenticity and brand protection. These unique labels incorporate holographic technology, which produces a 3D visual effect making them extremely challenging to replicate. Businesses utilise hologram stickers as a means of safeguarding their products against counterfeiting and unauthorised duplication. The intricate and dynamic patterns created by holography make it exceedingly difficult for counterfeiters to mimic, thereby helping consumers and authorities to identify genuine, authentic products. By affixing hologram stickers on merchandise, companies can establish a visible and reliable proof of authenticity, instilling trust among consumers, while deterring counterfeiters from attempting to replicate their products. This, in turn, preserves the brand’s reputation, enhances customer confidence, and fosters a secure marketplace for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions within.

While companies use such measures in the retail industry for brand protection, hologram stickers are also widely used in the education sector by universities as a protective measure on certificates. This is a huge deterrent in qualification fraud as counterfeiters find it impossible to replicate certificates, preventing them from deceiving an employer- or even using it as a way to maintain a visa.

Secure documentation within the finance industry is also a key area for hologram stickers, typically affixed to cheques and other papers.

Designing Custom Holographic Stickers

Designing custom holographic stickers is a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise. It all begins with understanding the client’s needs. By discussing their vision and how they plan to use the stickers, our designers can tailor the process to meet their specific goals. Working closely with our in-house graphic designers and account managers, we brainstorm and refine ideas until every detail is perfectly aligned with the client’s vision.

The magic happens when selecting the right holographic elements and effects. It’s a fine balance between making the sticker visually appealing and ensuring it serves its purpose, whether that’s for branding or security. The holographic elements should catch the light in stunning ways, drawing attention while fulfilling their functional role.

Finally, we incorporate the client’s branding into the design. This might include logos, colour schemes, or fonts, making each holographic sticker a distinct reflection of the brand, while also providing a visible security feature.

Printing Techniques for Holographic Stickers

Printing holographic stickers combines innovation with precision. We use a mix of traditional offset and advanced digital printing methods, each chosen for their ability to bring the holographic design to life. Once printed, techniques like 3D embossing and foiling are applied to enhance the visual effect. Rigorous quality control throughout the process ensures every sticker is perfect, meeting the highest standards of quality and precision.

Security Features of Holographic Stickers

Holographic stickers aren’t just visually striking; they’re also a strong defense against counterfeiting and tampering. Packed with advanced security features, these stickers ensure authenticity and deter fraud.

Tamper-evident Features:
The first line of defense is tamper-evident technology. If someone tries to remove or alter the sticker, it will leave visible signs of damage. Features like frangible materials, void patterns, and destructible adhesives clearly show if a sticker has been tampered with, making it impossible to reapply without visible evidence.

Serialisation and Unique Identifiers:
Each holographic sticker comes with a unique serial number or identifier, which is stored in a secure database. This allows the product’s authenticity to be easily verified, and tracking it through the supply chain ensures its origin and legitimacy.

Optical and Visual Security:
Holographic stickers also include sophisticated design features like microtext, nano-text, and intricate patterns that are almost impossible to replicate with traditional printing methods. Hidden images and 3D effects add another layer of complexity, further enhancing both the security and visual appeal of the sticker.

Application and Adhesive Options

The right adhesive and application process are key to ensuring hologram labels perform at their best. The choice of adhesive depends on the surface and material the label will be applied to.

For flat surfaces, like paper or glass, standard adhesives with good initial tack work well. However, for curved or textured surfaces, such as bottles or boxes, stronger adhesives are needed to ensure a smooth application and long-lasting adhesion.

Depending on the purpose, different types of adhesives are used:

  • Permanent Adhesives: Provide a strong, lasting bond that resists tampering.
  • Removable Adhesives: Allow for easy removal without leaving residue, ideal for promotional or temporary uses.
  • Specialised Adhesives: These cater to unique needs, like heat resistance for industrial environments or low-tack adhesives for delicate surfaces

What can hologram labels be used on?

Holograms are incredibly versatile and can be used across numerous industries including:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of using custom holographic stickers for brand protection?

Custom holographic stickers offer strong brand protection by deterring counterfeiting, providing authentication, and including tamper-evident features. They enhance brand trust, track product authenticity and create a unique visual appeal, making your products stand out.

Can holographic stickers be used for product authentication?

Yes! Holographic stickers are an effective tool for product authentication. Their intricate designs and security features make it challenging for counterfeiters to replicate, allowing customers and retailers to easily identify genuine products and build brand trust.

Are holographic stickers resistant to tampering or removal?

Holographic stickers can incorporate tamper-evident features, making them resistant to tampering attempts. Once removed or tampered with, they leave evident signs of interference, meaning that the holographic sticker cannot be reapplied.

How can I ensure the design of my holographic stickers is unique?

To ensure a unique holographic sticker design, work with experienced hologram manufacturers (That’s us) who can customise designs, incorporate security features, and create a bespoke solution tailored to your brand’s specific needs.

Furthermore, we register your University’s bespoke holograms with the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA). This allows us to submit designs to the Hologram Image Register, which minimises copyright initiatives and underpins hologram use for security print. Read more about our partnership with the IHMA here.

Can holographic stickers be applied manually or through automated processes?

Holographic stickers can be applied both manually and through automated processes. For large-scale applications, automated machines offer efficiency and precision, while manual application may be suitable for smaller quantities or specialised sizes.

Can Hologram Labels Be Copied?

Hologram labels are designed to be nearly impossible to replicate, making them a highly effective security feature. Due to the intricate patterns and 3D effects, they are difficult for counterfeiters to duplicate using conventional printing methods. While some counterfeiters may attempt to mimic the appearance of holograms, the unique optical effects, micro-text, and serialisation features embedded in the design make it virtually impossible to produce an identical copy, ensuring product authenticity.

Hague Group’s Hologram Printing Solutions

We’ve been helping businesses from all industries fight back against counterfeiters with custom holograms for over 30 years. Get in touch using our online enquiry form to find out how creating holograms can help protect your products from fraudsters.

Written by Katie Blagdon