The step towards the creation of holograms is master origination, which is a complex process. The two dimensional designs are converted into three dimensional designs. For master origination, number of optical devices are affixed on the table (this table must be free from all kind of movements, even earth movement must not effect it) along with the object. For producing the master, He-Ne Laser Beam is used. These beams have to be splitted in two parts, one part shall light up the object and other will act as a reference beam, together they will combine & interfere at the holographic plate on which this interference is recorded during the exposure. This holographic plate is called Glass Master from which Nickel Master is produced by Electroforming Process. Master Origination techniques have been continuously upgraded to produce hologram, which are having more security features. The complex hologram shall make it extremely difficult to others to copy.

The following effects can be added in the master:

2D Hologram: 2D Hologram is made up of Two-Dimensional images. The images are assigned different colors and position in one layer.

2D/3D Hologram: 2D/3D Hologram is made up of multiple two dimensional layers with images visually placed one behind another with visual depth to produce an effect of three-dimensional structure. It can contain up to 3 layers and up to 6 colors. The images on layers are composed on object based drawing software like Adobe Photoshop. The images are divided into different layers at specific levels. The layers are assigned different colors and position in background and foreground. Each level or color requires a separate sheet of artwork. Highly recommended for large and medium volume projects.

True Color Hologram: True Color Hologram usually carries someone’s photo. It is made up of photographic quality art-work. These holograms are surprisingly capable of displaying true colors of the object, like true human skin tones or original color of the flag.

Dot-Matrix Hologram: Dot Matrix (Digital) Hologram allows implementing unlimited computer generated dots in hologram. These holograms are the result of designs comprising many tiny dots, where each dot is a separate diffraction grating. They create a beautiful impact of variable images. The image can be seen from any viewing direction.

Flip Flop Holograms: Flip-Flop Holograms are capable of displaying more than two images from different viewing directions. This kind of hologram is made by using multiple two dimensional illustrations. When the viewing angle changes horizontally (Left to Right) or vertically (upside down), different images evolve through the hologram.

Covert Features in a Hologram: Covert features are the advance high security features that can be incorporated in a hologram. Integrated with the holograms, they present high security solutions. An image or part of image or text material can be hidden inside another image or text. These images or text are invisible to naked eyes in the standard lighting conditions. These can be viewed only under special laser pointer.

Kinetic Movement: Kinetic Movement image can be seen from different viewing direction. It’s the advance high security feature that can be incorporated in a hologram. With special digital technologies, customized logo or graph can be incorporated onto the holo-patterns. Integrated with the holograms, they present high security solutions for valued documents.

Micro Text or Micro Image Features: Micro Text or Micro Image Features are invisible to naked eye, magnified glass is required to read text or to see picture.

Electroforming: By this process, the copies from the master are obtained. The master is not used for the production of holograms; it is only used for the production of its copies which are called “Shims”. These Shims are the REPLICA of master and used for the production of holograms. From one master, any number of shims can be produced. The process of producing the copies is known as Electroforming Process. By Electroforming Process, small particle of Nickel gets deposited on the master making a thin layer. This thin layer when separated from master, is called “Shim”.

Embossing: The copy of the master, i.e., shim is mounted on the Embossing machine. The images are transferred on the metallised polyester when it is passed from this machine. The image transfer takes place because of heat and pressure. Once the metallised polyester is given holographic effect, next stage is to make the product suitable for the application at customer’s end. The various kind of coatings are done on the embossed polyester depending upon the application and then it is slitted into the required size.