The commemorative 1,000 Tenge note produced by Papierfabrik Louisenthal for Kazakhstan features not only a hologram showing typical rainbow colours but also a small microlenticular patch viewed by transmission.
The system is called Varifeye Magic(R) and this application represents its first use.
This technology has been praised for its level of sophistication: a window has been cut into the paper after laminating to a polymeric layer before a clear stripe of film is laminated over it running from top to bottom of the note.
The clear stripe contains the microlenticular image of a camel interchanging with the letter ‘K’ when tilted. This feature can be viewed by transmission through the window.
Obtaining flexibility and modularity
There’s also a de-metallised holographic image of the Astana Baiterek monument above the text ‘Organisation for Security & Co-operation in Europe’, interchanging with the date 2010 which are viewed by reflection where it falls over the paper.
Flexibility and modularity are obtained by the possibility of combining different OVD and smart window features.
Commended in the same category for its outstanding work was Romania’s Zoomsoft srl for its IR-Label. The hologram in this application is intended to be invisible: it’s sewn in to a garment, leather good or item where its 2D de-metallised barcode can be read with a special camera. An infrared projector and information regarding the legitimacy of the label is then subsequently retrieved over the Internet.
The label can withstand many years of water, washing and dry cleaning.
The 2010 International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) Awards were presented at the annual Holopack- Holo-print(R) Holography Conference in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia last month.
The awards recognise outstanding industry achievement, and are presented to organisations who have introduced the most innovative or commercially viable hologram product or technique across the year.
Panel of experts involved in the judging
Organised by the IHMA, the 18th annual Excellence in Holography Awards (sponsored by industry newsletter Holography News) were attended by delegates from the worldwide holography community attending the aforementioned Holopack- Holo-print(R) Conference.
Entries were judged by a panel of experts – a representative of the IHMA Secretariat and two invited independent judges: an authentication specialist and a promotion or design expert.
A display of products from the winners and runners-up was also on show, duly signalling the breadth and depth of the technology’s applications and commercial span.
IHMA chairman Adam Scheer, who presented the awards, said: “These awards celebrate the very best in holographic achievement, and the many remarkable innovations the industry produces every year.
“Papierfabrik and Zoomsoft’s work reflects the creativity, design excellence and quality which have been the hallmarks of this year’s entries, reflecting how holography continues to push forward new boundaries both technically and commercially.”
The full list of this year’s awards and commendations for outstanding projects is available at the IHMA’s website (a link has been added on the right hand panel of this page)
The IHMA is made up of 90 of the world’s leading hologram companies. IHMA members are the leading producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world.
Those member companies actively co-operate to maintain the highest professional, security and quality standards.
