Labels are a critical component of the packaging industry. That being stated, their importance has become all the more pronounced in a scenario where counterfeiting and pilferage have become ever present threats to products and brands.
Security labels can both help validate the genuineness of a product and act as security tags. In particular, hologram security labels function as a security technology by concealing vital information. It is not surprising, therefore, that these can be deployed across myriad industries as well as diverse products including ATM cards, debit cards, bank documents and so on.
Understanding a hologram security label
The distinguishing feature of a hologram security label is the fact that it uses holography – a technique that creates 3D imagery to provide a security cover for products. This technique involves the deployment of laser, interference, diffraction, light intensity documentation as well as illumination of the document in question. The patterns that it comes up with may be regular or slightly irregular lines of text or shapes.
These are essentially highly sophisticated visual laser recordings of 3D pictures comprising various layers of customized artwork impressions. Hologram images appear to float in front of or behind a 2D representation making them look modern, slick and efficient.
What is great about hologram labels is the fact that they look aesthetically nice and provide good product security as well.
Different Types of Holograms
Reflection Hologram
This is a very popular type of hologram that boasts of a genuine 3D image, very close to the surface. These can be illuminated with the help of white incandescent light. The image is formed by the light mirrored by the holograms. These types of reflection holograms can be obtained in various colors.
Transmission Holograms
These types of holograms can be viewed with the help of laser light, which in most cases is the same type which was used at the time of recording them. What’s special about these holograms is the fact that light comes from the hologram’s rear, while the image is created on the observer’s side. The virtual image so created is very deep and sharp allowing one a very precise and detailed view of the image.
In addition, every single piece of the hologram contains the whole image stored in the hologram. Besides, the hologram would offer varying perspectives when viewed from different positions.
A laser beam can also be directed to the back side through the hologram, forming a real image on a screen positioned at the original position of the object.
Hybrid Hologram
Apart from the reflection and transmission types of holograms there are a variety of hybrid ones. Let’s take a look at these.
Embossed Hologram
These are ideal from the point of view of mass production. Not surprising, therefore, that these are typically used in applications like passports, credit cards and currency.
Typically, these types of holograms involve hard pressing a 3D interference pattern upon extremely thin plastic foils, thereby recording the original hologram on a photoresist.
A fully formed hologram consists of surface grooves on which a coat of nickel is placed and subsequently peeled off leading to the metallic shim. A shim is then placed on a roller and when subject to high pressure as well as temperature it presses the hologram against a roll made of composite material. In essence an embossed hologram is an amalgam of various kinds of holograms.
Integral Hologram
A hologram can be created from a series of pictures of an object which could be anything-a person, an X-ray picture or an outdoor scene scanned several types by a camera. The different perspectives, thus recorded, are displayed with the help of a laser illuminated LCD screen. These can be used as an object beam for recording holograms on a vertical and narrow holoplate. The view thus obtained is similarly recorded in another strip till all the views are recorded. One can now view a composite holograms, with one’s right and left eyes seeing a stereoscopic image.
Holographic interferometry
Even the tiniest of modifications made to an object at the microscopic level can be measured with the help of a couple of unique exposures of the object being altered. When the two pictures engage with one another one can see fringes indicative of displacement. Real time holographic interferometry enables one to compare an object’s virtual image with its real one, making it ideal for numerous applications.
Multichannel holograms
Any alteration in viewing light angles of the hologram makes it possible to see completely diverse scenarios making this an ideal tool for deployment in the case of large computer memories. In the sample picture, if you looked at the hologram at different angles, you would see that the object turns as you change angles.
Computer generated holograms
Prior knowledge about the diffraction pattern allows one to compute the wavelength of light enabling one to come up with diverse patterns. One can use a computer to design the hologram in question. This has seen a lot of use in creating holographic optical elements that help in scanning, splitting, focusing as well as controlling the laser beam in myriad optical devices.
Distinguishing Features of Hologram Security Labels
The way to differentiate between hologram security labels is to see if the hologram images come with customizations or use any kind of ink printing technology. One should also observe the kind of resultant holographic experience and anti-duplication protection they provide.
Among the most commonly used holographic security labels are stock hologram stickers and imprinted hologram stickers. The former ones allow one to add serial numbers or text to secure one’s goods. The prismatic effect of the imprinted stickers goes a long way in improving the visibility of a product and discouraging counterfeiting or theft.
Pricing
The pricing of hologram security labels is dependent upon the size and quantity required, as also the kind of specific features required to be incorporated into these.
In essence, one needs to consider the cost of creating the master hologram, the kind of production facilities deployed and the scale of the sticker production level.
The Case for Using Hologram Security Labels
There are many good reasons for brands and products to deploy hologram security labels. Let us look at the major ones here.
Better Packaging and Brand Awareness
Hologram stickers help your products create a distinct impression upon its target audience. They do so by improving not just the look of a brand’s product packaging, but also by enhancing awareness about it in the market. These also enhance a brand’s image in the minds of the consumers in terms of the fact that they consider the brand to be synonymous with high quality.
Helps Fight Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting is dealt with quite effectively with the help of hologram labels as traditional printing techniques just can’t be deployed to replicate holograms. With lower chances of one’s products being counterfeited on account of the security provided by hologram labels, the brand image and reputation automatically go up. Truly, hologram labels are as good a fraud prevention and product authentication technique as any.
Secures Against Tampering and Pilferage
On can use a tamper evident hologram to detect attempts to rip off the sticker. This helps a brand seal and secure its assets against any attempts at pilferage.
Authentication
Hologram security labels can help validate a whole range of documents and brands. These include identity cards, credit cards and branded products. As holograms are virtually impossible to replicate, the dangers accruing from fraud and counterfeiting are considerably reduced.
The Ever Rising Demand for Hologram Labels
The demand for hologram security labels has seen an incremental increase in recent times and the trend is all set to grow at an even more rapid pace. This is largely on account of the fact that the global FMCG sector has been growing at a blistering pace. This is true of regions across North America, Europe, and particularly the Asia Pacific region. The growth of consumer goods manufacturing has driven the increase in the demand for security labels. Among the major contributors to this growth are the nations of China, India, Japan and Asia.
China is by far the biggest market for security labels thanks to a boom in the demand for consumer durables and food and beverages. The second largest market is in North America, on account of a great demand for beverages and a huge range of packaged food. The growth of the pharmaceutical industry in the continent has also contributed to this. The Middle East region is also showing a large potential, with regard to the demand for hologram security labels. This has largely been on account of the growing retail as well as industry sectors.
There can never be any such thing as too much security for brands, products and organizations. Hologram security labels are at the frontlines of defence when it comes to the global fight against counterfeiting and pilferage. With the latest technological developments making it possible to greatly enhance the capabilities of security hologram labels, their demand is all set to rise even more incrementally.