HOLOPTICA, LLC 425 Old County Road, Belmont CA USA Tel: +1 650 485 1822 www.holoptica.com info@holoptica.com

EXCELLENCE IN HOLOGRAPHY

Understanding Holograms

2

Understanding Holograms

Uniqueness is inherent in the very process of Holographic Recording. If a holographer makes the same hologram at two different times, or two holographers make the same hologram at the same time, recording from the same positive” for each layer, minute examination will reveal subtle differences between each version of the same hologram.

A Hologram is the “Interference Pattern” on the photosensitive coating on the surface of the glass plate, created by the interaction of two beams of coherent light from a laser. Each time a holographic recording is undertaken, there will be subtle variations in the above referred “Interference Pattern”, making such patterns unique. Thus, uniqueness is inherent in the very process of holographic recording. It is not possible to make an exact replica of a hologram and hence it is regarded as virtually impossible to replicate.

A special chemical coating known as Tamper-Evident Coating applied on the Base Polyester Film, imparts an additional security feature to the hologram to detect any attempt at its unauthorized removal from the surface of a product or its packaging, or from a document.

Additional Security Features, other than Holographic Features, which can be incorporated in a Hologram

DNA printing: We provide full printing service of synthetic invisible DNA which assures its originality. It is impossible to replicate.

Inkjet Numbering: We can provide continuous inkjet alphanumeric numbering or separate codes like year of manufacturing etc. on each hologram to ensure 100% accountability of each and every hologram.

UV Numbering: We can provide continuous UV alphanumeric numbering or separate codes like year of manufacturing etc. on each hologram which will not be visible to the naked eye and can be seen using an Ultra Violet Light.

Laser etching: We can provide laser etching on the holograms which is a permanent impression on the hologram. The laser etched portion in the hologram adapts the colour of the substrate on which it is etched. Laser etching can include codes, alphanumeric continuous numbering, year, signature etc.

Thermal Numbering: We can provide continuous thermal alphanumeric numbering or separate codes like year of manufacturing etc. on each hologram to ensure 100% accountability of each and every hologram.

3

Manufacturing Process

Described below is the process of making a typical two-layer “Embossing Reflection Hologram”, by far the most common and cost-effective hologram with two common sub-types, namely the two layer hologram (with a background image and a foreground image) and the three layer hologram (with a background image, a middle ground image and a foreground image).

Artwork Design: Using computer graphics, the artwork is generated on the computer as a conceptual design, wherein certain parts of graphical elements of an image which the customer would like to appear in his hologram are recorded in the background (the bottom layer) and other parts of the graphic elements in the foreground (the top layer).

Making the artwork “camera ready”: Using the computer graphics and working with the shape and size chosen by the customer for his hologram, the graphic components of each layer are separately recorded on paper as many times as can be accommodated on an area of roughly six square inches.

Image-Setting: Photo images are taken using a special cameras to capture “the positive” and “the negative” of each layer from the camera-ready artwork.

Holographic Recording and Master Origination: Exposing “the positive” of each layer one after the another to laser light, with the aid of specialized imaging devices such as specialized lenses and mirrors, records those images on the surface of an ultra-clean, photo sensitive and specialized glass plate, to originate “the Glass Master”. At the end of this intricate and time-consuming process, the original two dimensional image elements of the artwork gets “transformed’” into a “three dimensional” impression on the surface of “the glass master”, called the hologram. The hologram will diffract the seven colours of the spectrum (colours seen in a rainbow) and will produce “the depth effect”, or the three dimensional (3D) effect, which if viewed from different angles under any type of natural or artificial light, gives the hologram its extraordinary visual appeal. During holographic recording, secret information (e.g. code numbers) can be recorded and concealed in any one of the layers of the hologram to make it machine readable (that is, it can only be viewed under special lighting conditions and with the aid of special viewing instruments) impart the unique “optical security feature” to the hologram.

4

Plate/Shim Making: This process transfers the multi-coloured, three-dimensional impression of the hologram from the surface of the glass master to the surface of a nickel plate to create “the nickel master”. (After this, the glass master cannot be used any further and has to be discarded). By the same process and from “the nickel master”, additional nickel plates, also called “shims” are prepared for ultimate use in the embossing machine for mass production.

Embossing: By transferring the multi-coloured, three-dimensional impression of the hologram from the surface of the shim to the surface of very thin, metallised polyester film roll, through optimal application of heat and pressure, the holographic film is created. A special chemical coating known as “Tamper Evident Coating’” on the base of the polyester film imparts an important additional security feature to the hologram, to detect any attempt at its unauthorized removal from the surface of a product or its packaging, or from a document.

Adhesive-coating and lamination (for pressure sensitive labels only): The “embossed” roll is continuously coated on its reverse with a water-based / solvent-based pressure sensitive adhesive and dried and is then continuously laminated with the silicon-coated surface of the release paper to make a laminated roll.

Die-Cutting: After lamination, the laminated roll is cut through the hologram layer, but not through the backing release paper layer, to the size and the shape required by the customer using a very specialized automatic die-cutting machine. For jobs required in Roll Form the laminated rolls are slit to the required width. Holograms remaining in the Sheet Form are suitable for manual application while Roll Form is best for automatic application or for use by hand applicators similar to supermarket price applicators.

Overprinting: If required, any additional security elements are added at this stage while the film is still in its large roll form. The addition of DNA, UV, Security Optical Markers, Alphanumeric numbering (inkjet, thermal or laser) are all added at this point in the production process.

5

Finishing: This required the removal of the un-embossed portions of the metallised polyester film from around each stamped shape allowing the removal of each hologram - one by one from the surface of the sheet or roll.

Quality Control: The holograms are then passed through the quality control department, where each and every property of the hologram is thoroughly checked before the holograms are counted, packaged and shipped.

6

Origination Techniques

Holograms can be made using both Traditional (Analogue) Holographic Techniques and Digital Holographic Manufacturing Techniques. We offer both Traditional and Digital Holograms,

details of which are given below:

2D/3D: These are by far the most common type of holograms. These holograms (and therefore the artwork of these holograms) may be of two layers (i.e. with a background and a foreground) or of three-layers (with a background, a middle ground and a foreground). The image elements of the middle ground and the foreground in the case of three-layer holograms and the image elements of the foreground in the case of the two-layer holograms are usually superimposed over the image elements of the background of the hologram. These holograms display a unique multilevel, multi-colour effect and typically have one or two levels of flat graphics “floating” above or at the surface of the hologram. The graphic elements in the background appear to be “under” or “behind” the hologram, giving the illusion of depth.

Apart from being the most cost-effective type of holograms, the 2D/3D Holograms, when viewed under a variety of sources of light, are extremely eye-catching.

Dot Matrix Technology: The holograms produced using Dot Matrix technology are considered to be one of the most secure holograms internationally. These holograms are originated using a highly sophisticated and very expensive Dot Matrix System. This kind of technology allows the creation or originals of holograms with a resolution of up to 10 microns. Dot Matrix technology makes it possible to create originals of computer synthesized holograms with a high level of protection. The hologram includes elements that cannot be manufactured using other optical or printing technologies as it incorporates the development of various algorithms for designing the optical elements that shape the scattered radiation patterns.

E-Beam Technology: The holograms produced using electronic beam technology, are considered to be the most secure holograms internationally. These holograms are originated using highly sophisticated and very expensive E-Bean Lithography systems. This sophisticated level technology allows creation of originals of holograms with a resolution of up to 0.1 micron. Electron Bean technology makes it possible to create originals of computer synthesized holograms with even higher levels of protection. The hologram includes elements that cannot be manufactured using other optical or printing technologies as the technique requires the development of various algorithms for designing the optical elements that shape the scattered radiation patterns. This origination technique offers many possibilities for combining various security features. The technology of computer synthesis of holograms opens ample opportunities for the creation of OVD with the highest level of security.

7

Our Holographic Products

Holograms on sheets: The holograms are supplied in sheet form suitable for manual application. Each Sheet is serially numbered (if require) for proper accountability of the holograms. There is no gap required between adjacent hologram for square hologram with sharp edge corners, but a gap of 3 mm is required for circular and rounded corner holograms.

In Rolls: The holograms are supplied in rolls with a gap of minimum 2.5-3 mm between each hologram. These holograms can be applied both manually and automatically using automatic labelling machines.

8

Holographic Strip: The impression/ images of the hologram are embossed on lacquered (tamper evident coating), metalized polyester film and then a special heat activated adhesive coating is provided in the foil which enables the user to laminate the holographic strip to the substrate using an attachment in the customer's existing lamination machine or using an automatic lamination machine.

Holographic Hot Stamping Foil: The impression/images of the hologram are embossed on lacquered, metalized polyester film and then a special hot melt coating is provided in the foil which enables the user to transfer the holographic image to the substrate using a hot stamping machine. We can provide both registered and unregistered image in the form of Hot Stamping Foil. The supply of these types of holograms are in rolls.

9

Holographic Labels: Holographic labels can provide both aesthetic looks and security in a single label. We can provide very cost effective solutions to easily allow users to incorporate a variety of information and security features (UV ink, magnetic inks, inkjet numbering, DNA and other taggants, invisible printing etc.) in the holographic label.

Holographic Scratch Off: This product allows the protection of scratch data on plastic cards, telephone cards, lottery cards etc. and can be supplied as holographic labels on sheets, or rolls of Hot Stamping Foil.

Easy and clean scratch of high opacity. Authentication thanks to the holographic image. Multiple security features available with the origination. Protection against alteration thanks to the substrates used which are destroyed in any

removal attempt

10

Holographic Transparent Laminate: Holographic transparent laminates are used to protect identity documents against the thread of counterfeit and forgery. These are mainly used to protect identification document, permits, etc.

Holographic Ultra Security Labels: are specialized tamper evident labels which are 100% destructive if you attempted to remove. This label contains fibres, so it cannot be removed from the original surface by any means. Labels combine both optical, materials & printing technology thereby giving a highly secured product.

Holographic Wide Web Film: Holographic wide web film (up to 40 inches) is intended for the packaging industry. We can supply holographic wide web film in both PET (minimum thickness 12 microns) and BOPP (minimum thickness 19 microns).

11

Where are holograms and holographic products used?

Printers: any printed and packaging matter that needs protection from counterfeiting, fraud or brand protection, including high security printing for ID documents, visas, tax stamps and more.

Automotive: all spare parts, warranty certificates, brand protection and more

Electronics: brand protection, parts, warranty cards

Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics: packaging, brand protection

Clothing: labels: swing tags, directly on the garment

Any other products that may be a target for counterfeiters

Holoptica Brand Products

Holographic latent image directly embedded in a hologram

Instant, on the spot YES – NO verification

No hardware required

Effective counterfeiting deterrent

Holographic QR (quick response) barcode imbedded in the holographic image

Patent pending technology

On the spot verification of products, documents and much more

Link it to our www.verifythisnow.com or verify it on your server

Endless anti-counterfeiting, marketing and sales avenues

12

If you would like to know more, please

don’t hesitate to contact us