Holographic barcode labels are today a highly demanded labels, the primary benefits of which are increased accuracy and efficiency. Barcodes have been in use since a long time. The emergence of holography in barcode label is a new concept and gradually racing forward. As we all know, a bar code is a representation of information in a visual format on a surface and this information is machine readable. Though initially bar code labels stored data in printed parallel lines, today they are available in various patterns of dots, concentric circles, and hidden within images. The technique of holography used in barcode labels gives an added depth or a 3D effect to the label. Like a normal barcode, the holographic barcodes are read by optical scanners known as barcode readers or they are scanned from an image by using special software.

Materials used

The materials used to make the bar code label depends upon the environmental conditions of the application. Holographic bar code labels are made from a variety of materials such as follows:

• Polyester
• Polypropylene
• Polycarbonate
• Paper u Plastic
• Tamper-evident Material

Important facts To track the insects' mating habits, recently, researchers have placed tiny barcodes on individual bees. In Tokyo, in the late 1990s , there was a fashion for temporary barcode shaped tattoos among high school girls

Benefits of Holographic Barcode Labels

• Accuracy
• Efficiency
• Improved overall speed
• Timeliness
• Cost-effectiveness
• Reliable
• Maintaining information

These speak volumes when we compare a barcode label to the traditional manual process of typing information that has been collected on paper.

Incorporation of Hologram on a Barcode

A bar code symbol with different light reflective properties is holographically recorded on the substrate base of holographic labels to improve security. The base can be an information card, like label or credit card or a container for a product. The bar code symbol is recorded. This is visible to the eye in white light. A bar code reader directs light at the holographic bar code symbol and easily disclose the reflected optical information with a detector like a CCD array. The reading apparatus can be a stand-alone device or a conventional swiper for reading magnetic information on a strip on the card.

Properties of Holographic Barcode Labels

• The labels remain unaffected by moisture.
• They remain unaffected by temperature variations.
• They are solvent resistant.
• They are abrasion resistant.
• They are also resistant to long-term UV exposure.

Applications of Holographic Barcode Labels

Applications for holographic barcode labels are many. They have today become an essential part of modern civilization. Their use is widespread, and the technology behind holographic barcodes is constantly improving. Some modern applications of holographic barcodes include the following:

• They can range from fixed asset tracking to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product identification.
  
  
• Any type of inventory or counting application in any kind of environment from hospitals to schools to manufacturing to commercial outlets that would benefit from automation is an appropriate application for Barcode Labels.
  
  
• These labels are universal across every industry sector.
  
  
• Practically every item purchased from a department store, grocery store and mass merchandiser has a normal or a holographic barcode on it. This helps in keeping track of the large number of items in a store.
  
  
• Used in document management tools.
  
  
• Used on the car's glass or bumper for rental car companies keep track of their cars.
  
  
• Also used in airlines track passenger luggage , reducing the chance of loss.
  
  
• Holographic bar codes have also been used to produce portraits.