VTT Technical Research Centre at Finland has designed a holographic, printable film for fiber-based and plastic-based packages. The new film can be used for covering CD jewel cases, laptops and mobile phones to provide a smart appearance. The technology is promoted by Iscent Oy, a new Finnish enterprise, along with VTT.
The technology can be applied for labeling authenticated brand products to prevent counterfeits. By using this technology, the inks used by the printers can be decreased and eco-friendly attractive wrappers can be created for the purpose of advertising. The film can also be used as gift wrappings and transparent films, in order to decorate with needed transparency. The film can be used for laminating the sports equipments and interior design elements and for plastic injection-molded products such as CD jewel cases, laptops and mobile phone covers.
In the printing industry, almost all commercial holograms are printed on narrow-web lines. Iscent is striving to manufacture the final product with a width of 1200 mm, which enables high-volume product lines and increases the business opportunities. The light scattering film technology does not require metal coating or foiling, UV curable varnishes and laminated structures as in case of commercial holographic technology. The surface characteristics of the treated paper or plastic surface is modified in order to produce the colors of rainbow.
The technique involves a hot embossing technology in which two rollers resembling a calendar applies nip pressure on the paper or plastic web running through them. Due to the pressure and heat, the lattice design over the main roller is impressed on the web film.