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Printing Custom Holographic Labels
PRINTING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS 101 PRIMER
Holographic technology has truly broken out as a must-have trend. Dubbed a retro futuristic look, this aesthetic spans all eras and industries. From hair, makeup, fashion, phone cases and nail polish, to holographic slime, “holo” has arrived and is here to stay.
A minimalist approach can benefit specific types of products and industries. In such a competitive market, oftentimes a branded spectacle is what it takes to succeed. Get your packaging to capture your brand’s personality and add eye-catching character.
SAMPLE COMPARISON: Printing with holographic film versus plain white label stock using the same artwork
Custom holographic labels are the commercial unicorns in the world of labels. There has been nothing but praise from many of our customers who have used this label material. They are fascinating, colorful, custom label sensations that are always in demand.
GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. READ ON BELOW AND TAKE NOTE OF ALL THE IMPORTANT INFO BEFORE YOU PRINT YOUR CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS.
Holographic material is a thin, “color-changing” flexible polyester, nylon, or oriented polypropylene (OPP) sheet. A mesmerizing rainbow of shifting colors is seen when this is tilted at different angles, as the surface catches light.
Observe how these labels are built above. This rainbow effect is due to the micro-embossing of grooved patterns on the film. These act as prisms which reflect and refract light. These grooves bend white light, splitting it into its various constituent colors.
Holographic labels are pressure-sensitive stickers with holographic film as its main layer. When these micro-embossed areas disperse white light off the label’s surface, areas that have been left bare (without printed ink) will show through its brilliant colorful light play.
To give structure and some opacity to the embossed surface, we add a layer of silver foil underneath. This base foil layer also helps to intensify the label’s shine and enhances the colorful rainbow patterns.
The signature aesthetic of holographic film is its gorgeous spectrum of colors. Truly fascinating, colors dance on the surface as the light shifts.
Printing custom holographic labels increases the perceived value of your products. The color gradient is an instant eye-catching addition that delivers a luxe and fanciful appeal.
ACTUAL PRINT SAMPLE: Custom Holographic Labels with Spot Matte Aqueous Coating (printed for Mary Jane Juice Co.)
Always dress to impress! Magnify your presence with affordable, premium, creative tools for strong, spectacular branding.
Custom holographic labels can also create the impression that your product is more premium due to the commercial, high-quality aesthetic.
PRINTING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS VERSUS HOLOGRAMS
Printing custom holographic labels differ from printing “holograms”. Holograms are “3D” images, while holographic labels are repeating rainbow patterns.
Not sure how a hologram looks like? Pull out your wallet and take a look at your driver’s license, or any ID or credit card.
CLEARING UP MISCONCEPTIONS: Holographic labels and holograms are not the same
The colorful seals below are called holograms. When viewed from different angles, the shapes or images can be seen from different perspectives, as if you were looking at a solid object.
Some holograms change colors, some images change into a completely different design. Most of these appear to move as you tilt the surface on which they are printed.
What do holographic labels and holograms have in common? Both need light to shine on them to reveal the effect. For holographic labels, this would be the rainbow gradient or pattern, and for holograms, the three-dimensional effect.
PRINTING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS VERSUS IRIDESCENT
In the fashion industry, and in other popular media, the terms “holographic” and “iridescent” are used interchangeably.
However, for printing purposes (similar to how these terms are being used when referencing fabric), we now describe the nuances of both materials.
This will help you appreciate the actual labels better right now, despite not being able to see them in person. This is especially important since we want to know exactly what kind of color and finish it is we are able to develop with this kind of technology.
Holographic gives you the whole prism of colors, while iridescent can only show two to three main colors (and its shades in between) when the angle of illumination or the angle of view changes
Printing custom holographic labels will give you a prismatic color shift, which means this will show all the colors of the rainbow.
Iridescent material has a much smaller range that involves two to three main colors and the shades in between. Both materials pick up light with their reflective and refractive, color shifting pigments.
Iridescence has often been described as chameleon-like in its shift from one color to another. Holographic film will always show a whole range of multiple colors at a time, and will need a silver or gold backing material.
USING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC PACKAGING: BRANDING, MARKETING, AND PERCEIVED VALUE
Custom holographic labels can certainly give your product presentation a spectacular look, since these can literally bring out the brilliance of your product. This is particularly true when it comes to products whose properties are also bright or colorful, or both.
A great case in point is the Lime Crime highlighter palette. While not infused with rainbow holographic tech, the chameleon mica particles in the palette’s formula have a shiny iridescent finish.
The choice of using holographic packaging aggrandizes this effect spectacularly, making the product packed on the pans look even more enticing and precious.
If you are looking for a feast for the eyes—printing custom holographic labels should be your first go-to label choice.
Based on the thousands of conversations we’ve had with our customers, from planning to design and execution, one insight/feedback has always been consistent. Printing custom holographic labels have always brought anticipation and excitement to their branded packaging.
Leverage holographic technology, customer insights, and target market-approved designs. All three will surely deliver a memorable packaging presentation that will be fanciful and marked, for a more shareable brand experience.
INKABLE TIPS:
- When printing custom holographic labels, remember this: Less is more.
- Don’t make your design too busy. Most likely this will be overwhelming to your audience.
- Since the rainbow holographic gradient is already a spectacle in itself, highlight this by making each part of your label more defined. This can be achieved by limiting the number of fonts used, colors, and sections in your layout.
- Be careful that you don’t overdo the art elements of your design. Ensure that your text, logo, or images stand out while keeping the color scheme easy to follow. Keep it crisp and refined.
DESIGNING FOR HOLO: BE CLEAR ON WHAT AND WHY
When creating designs for your holographic labels, first determine what the most important part of your artwork is. Is it the logo, call-to-action, or an offer?
You can print these areas and leave the others bare to give your whole label a holographic sheen. This frames and draws attention to the printed parts and makes them stand out by creating stark contrast.
We can also reverse this effect by overprinting on all the label areas and excluding the essential art elements (such as your company logo or name of your product) so that these areas are the only parts that will show the rainbow sheen.
REMEMBER, CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS AREN’T YOUR STANDARD LABELS
Use holographic labels for high-contrast, dynamic custom labels if you are:
- Planning a product re-launch, packaging a limited edition brand variant;
- Going into advertising season (using eye-catching coupons for price off or special occasions promos);
- Gearing up for a trade expo where you need to stand out;
- If you simply want a branding refresh to make your existing designs look more conspicuous and novel
PRINTING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS WITH WHITE INK
Even though holographic labels have an opaque backing, the holographic foil will interfere with artwork elements that you might not want to have a rainbow sheen applied.
It’s therefore important to set up your artwork correctly before printing so that you achieve the desired results for your custom holographic labels. This is where white ink printing comes in.
Printing without white ink will give you a uniform holographic rainbow effect on your whole label design, but using white ink enhances print effects and lends flexibility to your custom holographic labels.
There are four ways to use white ink for setting up your holographic art:
1. Highlight selectively using white ink underprinting
We use a layer of white ink underneath specific art elements (for example logos or images) to make them more opaque and cancel out the silver base material color.
The result: Areas of the label with white ink underprinting will take on the color you want, while areas without white ink will have a silver appearance. The whole label will uniformly reflect the rainbow sheen.
2. Highlight selectively using white ink underprinting with colored ink overprinting
We place a layer of white ink underneath specific art elements to increase their opacity and cancel out the silver base material color. We highlight your chosen design elements and create focus on them by printing over the holographic foil, thus cancelling out the holographic rainbow sheen.
The result: parts of the label with white ink underprinting will take on the color of your choosing, while areas without white ink underprinting will take on the appearance of silver. Areas of the label where the foil wasn’t printed over will reflect the signature rainbow sheen, while areas where we overprint will look glossy (without the rainbow sheen), making these elements stand out.
3. Flood/White ink printing underneath the whole artwork
We place a layer of white ink underneath the entire label design to cancel out the silver base material color, to develop the actual ink colors that you choose.
The result: The whole label print develops your desired ink colors, and the whole label will uniformly reflect its signature rainbow sheen.
4. Flood/White ink printing with colored ink overprinting
We put a layer of white ink underneath the whole label design to cancel out the silver color of the base material. This develops the actual ink colors that you want. To highlight design elements and create focus on them, we print over the holographic foil to cancel out the holographic rainbow sheen.
The result: The whole label print will develop your desired ink colors, making the whole label uniformly reflect its signature rainbow sheen. Those parts of the label where we did not print over the foil will reflect the signature rainbow sheen, while areas with the overprint will look glossy without the rainbow sheen. This creates contrast that makes these elements more visible.
PRINTING CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS WITH INKABLE LABEL CO.’S SPECIAL FX™
Is holographic film on its own not enough pizzaz for you? You can certainly add finishing touches and complementary embellishments to fully shape your custom label to your creative vision.
State-of-the-art press capabilities opens up great possibilities for your branded packaging. Pair holo film stickers with some of our gorgeous Special FX™ embellishments. These finishing touches deliver showstoppers that can actualize your creative vision. Contact us to start your free consultation.
HOW TO CARE FOR HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS WHEN NOT IN USE
Store your label stocks away from direct sunlight, as this will cause the colors to fade. Make sure to keep your label stocks in a cool and dry place to keep the adhesive in its optimum condition. Despite having a plastic base, moisture is still a factor to avoid to guarantee your labels keep their long-term tack.
*INKABLE LABEL CO. BONUS FEATURE:
Your custom holographic labels orders will come with free gloss laminate. This helps keep your custom label prints in its best shape for longer, protecting against ink scuffing, water, oils, and some solvents.
READY TO PRINT YOUR LABELS?
Before printing custom holographic labels, we recommend that you list down the requirements of your print project. Determine the fit of your labels on your container or packaging, finalize what shape these should be, think about necessary content and color scheme.
One of the most important steps is to prepare and layout your design correctly on your artboard. To successfully do this, ensure your designer does a thorough Prepress Check so that you avoid any errors on the press and receive perfect custom holographic labels.
LET’S PRINT YOUR CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS!
Printing custom holographic labels is the perfect solution to creating eye-catching and stylish packaging. Why not give them a try and take your brand’s image even higher? CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE SAMPLES OF CUSTOM HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS AND GET INSTANT PRICING.
Not sure if this label stock is for you?
Try before you commit: We deliver hard proofs upon request.
◊ GET A SAMPLE SHEET OF YOUR HOLOGRAPHIC LABELS NOW (INCLUDES FREE PREPRESS CHECK) FOR AS LOW AS $50.
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Gloss Laminate
Matte Laminate
Holographic Gloss Laminate
Silver Pet (Plastic) Film with Matte Laminate
Silver Pet (Plastic) Film with Gloss Laminate
Silver Metalized Paper with Gloss Laminate
Holographic Silver PET (Plastic) Film with Gloss Laminate
CLEAR PVC FILM WITH GLOSS LAMINATE
CLEAR PVC FILM WITH MATTE LAMINATE
PLASTIC FILM WITH MATTE LAMINATE
PLASTIC FILM WITH GLOSS LAMINATE
WHITE SEMIGLOSS PAPER WITH MATTE LAMINATE
WHITE SEMIGLOSS PAPER WITH GLOSS LAMINATE
KRAFT PAPER
WHITE MATTE UNCOATED PAPER (No laminate)