Ever since its commercial usage in the 70's, there is no looking back for holography and hologram products. The demand has only manifolded with each passing year. Holography has found its applications in almost all industrial sectors including commercial & residential applications. There is no doubt about the fact that in few years from now, you will see a new world of holograms in every aspect. The use of holograms is the representation of a new visual language in communication, where we are moving into the age of light as the media of the future. Holography will soon be an integral part of the light age of information and communications.

Areas of Holographic Applications

Holography can be used for a broad range of applications. We give below a detailed explanation of some of the popular areas in which holograms are used.

Security One of the fastest and the most popular growing area for the use of holograms is the security and product authentication. The presence of holograms indicates the authenticity of these items. They provide a powerful obstacle to counterfeiting. The security holograms have proven to be unsurpassed when added to documents, anti-counterfeiting, tamper-proofing, customizing ticket protection, identification documents including credit and phone cards, drivers licenses etc. The trend that almost all credit cards carry a hologram is a good sign that security holography has proven to be very effective. An example: Since their incorporation on Visa payment card and Master card in the early 1980s, holograms have become one of the most common public security features on branded goods and value documents. Entertainment Holograms have also proven effective in the entertainment industry. Various Hollywood movies, specially the science fiction films, have used holographic special effects. Even movie posters are made holographic. Holograms are also used as promotional tools on records and CD covers. An example: Some popular movies using holographic effects are like Star Treks' Holo deck, Star Wars' Princess Laya, Hologram Man and Escape from LA etc. Packaging (Consumer Goods Brand Protection) This is one area where holograms have become popular . Hologram packaging includes flexible packaging, board packaging, rigid box, pack packaging etc. The holographic packaging provides eye catching visual impact, authentication, and added value. In reality, all products are subject to counterfeiting. Hence proper holographic packaging on consumer goods serve an important way for brand protection. An example: Brach & Brock Candy Company projected a three-fold increase in sales using holographic packaging. Promotional Holograms are widely used for promotional purpose. The use of hologram completes the packaging, the promotional activities associated with your product and add some attraction towards it. It is widely demanded because it enhances company's image and some shelf appeal also. An example: You open your favorite magazine and find a 3D image of the new BMW roadster driving right off the page and into your room. This is new age hologram. Gifts Today holographic products have become important gift items for corporates as well as individuals. The holographic gifts serve as important way to enhance brand image. For many, holographic items are rare collectibles which they can treasure for a lifetime. Point of Purchase Advertising An example: You walk into a shoe store and see a larger than life-size, complete-color image of the latest Nike shoe hovering before your eyes. It rotates so that you get a proper view from the front and side. That is the power of New Generation Hologram. It makes things look real. Tax Stamp As a security devise, holograms are widely used on tax stamps of many countries. Tax stamps are issued by governments principally on alcohol and tobacco to ensure duty is paid and to distinguish genuine products from fakes. There are two varieties of holographic tax stamp—hologram tax stamp with security paper and only hologram with or without serial no.

Display Display holography use all types of holograms from decorative foils to display holograms to eye catching stereograms. Display holography is used in point of purchase, corporate display, trade show. They use various holograms , including large format holograms for their dramatic effect. An example: A hologram was used in Continental Tire's in-store display, which received highest ever dealer response. Labels & Tapes Holograms are also used in labels, tapes and stickers. They are provided with a self adhesive backing. They are also provided as hot stamping foil. Label applications include direct mail, promotional products, advertising pieces, and point purchase displays. An example: Sales increased when Wardley fish food used holographic labels on their products. Medical Applications Holographic technique is also used in various medical applications like CAT scans, X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound, opthalmology, endoscopy, otology, orthopedics and many more. Decoration Another main application of hologram is in decoration. With its glitter color changing effect, multi-channel visual enhancement, the packaging with hologram foil, holograms are sure to attract the customer and increase the visual value of products inside. An example: Blanton Whiskey added a hologram to its bottle and this led to an instant and increased sale . Art and Interactive Graphics Art and Interactive Graphics is a very special area of holography, comprising is the most exciting area for printing. Holography is an art in itself as it deals with making some kind of visuals. By using holographic effects for the background of over printing lithography, some of the in-store lighting problems of holograms can be overcome. Color printing combined with holography form stunning interactive visual effects. B2B E-Commerce: Engineering, Architecture & CAD/CAM You can enhance design visualization by using a New Generation Hologram in computer-generated three-dimensional images, CAD/CAM designs. That is why holograms are widely preferred by professional users, such as architects, engineers, production companies. Sports Events Holograms have become a common and a regular feature of the world’s premier sporting events. These are used to protect event tickets, event merchandise, and also accreditation programs. Professional Photographers Professional photographers can also use holographic technique as add-ons or alternatives to regular two-dimensional portrait photography products. Holographic Interferometry This is also a very important holographic technique for measuring changes in the dimensions of an object. This technique is useful in industrial stress analysis, quality control etc. IT consumables Lots of the IT consumables use hologram on its package and opponent for security and logistic. Optical Devices Holographic lenses, diffraction gratings are optical devices in which the "object" is a mirror or a lens. They can be used to perform more specialized functions like making the panel instruments of a car visible in the windshield for increased safety.

The list is endless......