What Is a Hologram Master Plate? A Buyer’s Guide for Hologram Makers

By Rajneesh Sharma, Owner, Kiran Holographics

Every hologram you see on a label, foil or film starts with one thing: a master plate. Your embossing machine can only produce what your master carries. A sharp, well-made master gives you bright holograms and fewer production problems. A weak master shows its faults on every metre of film.

If you run a hologram plant, or plan to, this guide explains what a master plate is, how it is made, and how to order the right one.

What is a hologram master plate?

A master plate is the original hologram image, created in an origination lab. It holds the microscopic light-bending pattern that makes a hologram shine and move. Everything after it, from shims to finished labels, is a copy of this original.

How is a master made?

The master is created using one or more origination technologies, depending on the look and security level you need:

• 2D/3D: layered images with depth, popular for brand logos and labels.
• Dot matrix: the image is built from tiny diffraction dots, giving sharp kinetic and colour effects.
• E-beam: very fine patterns that are hard to copy, used for high-security holograms.

Many security holograms combine these methods, adding hidden text, micro text or other covert features to the visible design.

Want to understand the equipment behind a master, from dot matrix and e-beam systems to recombination and positioning? Read our hologram master origination system guide. For the step after origination, see how nickel shims are made.

Master plate vs nickel shim: what is the difference?

The master is the original. It is not put on a production machine, because heat and pressure would wear it out. Instead, the master is copied through electroforming into nickel shims. The shim is what goes on your embossing cylinder.

Think of it this way: the master is your original design, and shims are working copies. When a shim wears out, a new one is made from the master, so your hologram stays the same order after order.

Narrow web and wide web masters

Masters and shims must match your machine. Narrow web machines are used mainly for hologram labels and stickers. Wide web machines are used for holographic film and larger rolls. When you order, always tell your lab which machine the shim is for and its working width.

What to send when you order a master

To get the right master the first time, send your lab:

1. Your design file in vector format if possible, with logos and text.
2. Label size and shape, or the repeat size for film.
3. Origination type you want: 2D/3D, dot matrix, e-beam or a mix.
4. Security features, such as micro text or hidden images.
5. Machine details: narrow web or wide web, and shim size.
6. Quantity of shims you need.

Clear details at the start save you rounds of corrections later.

No origination lab in your country? We can be your lab

Setting up an origination lab is a big investment, and many countries have no local lab at all. That is why hologram makers abroad source their masters from India. A hologram label maker in Bangladesh, for example, orders master plates and holographic material from us every month, so their production runs without waiting.

Our master lab in Jaipur makes master plates and nickel shims for both narrow web and wide web machines, and ships them to clients in India and export markets.

Starting a new plant?

If you are still choosing your machines, read our guides on how to start a hologram manufacturing business and hard vs soft embossing machines.

Kiran Holographics has been in the holographic industry since 2002. Send us your design and we will reply within one working day.

About the author: Rajneesh Sharma is the owner of Kiran Holographics, Jaipur, a security hologram manufacturer since 2002. He leads the work from client designs and origination to exports and plant projects.