How Do You Make Holographic Paper?

A hologram shim, stock or custom pattern, (see Design) is wrapped around an embossing cylinder. A large roll of white paper is prepared. A non-toxic coating is applied onto the large roll of base paper. The hologram pattern is embossed into the coating on the roll of paper. The roll is sent into a vacuum metallization chamber where the embossed coating is covered with a thin layer of aluminum (approximately one millionth of an inch). This creates the silver holographic pattern in the paper. A top coat or primer is applied to seal the paper and to insure the printability of the aluminum surface. The roll of holographic paper is now ready for shipping. Production can take weeks, so please plan ahead.

What is a shim line?

Shim lines are present in all holographic material. They are the result of the gap that forms when the embossing shim is wrapped around the embossing cylinder. The point at which the ends of the shim meet on the cylinder creates a very thin (in some patterns- almost non-detectable) line that also gets embossed into the paper. This gap will be no more than 1/32" wide and is typically found every 48" downweb. The impact of shim lines can be reduced or even eliminated with proper layouts and pattern requests. Sheets of holographic paper are sold "Shimless" or without shim lines as the rolls are slit on the 48" mark eliminating the line all together. We work to produce shimless sheets of holographic paper according to your design and layout.

What holographic paper and board weights do you produce?

We produce large quantities of holographic paper and board in weights ranging from 40# to 80# paper weights and board weights from 10pt and up as our face stock can be laminated to most heavy board weights.

Orders such as custom holographic patterns have a minimum requirement. Please contact us to discuss this further.

Holographic paper and boards are used for cartons, boxes, displays, gift wrap, labels, pressure sensitive products, posters, packaging, printed advertising pieces, magazine covers, toys and more. It's paper with pizzazz!