Process for producing holographic material

Abstract

Processes for producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a polished, substantially smooth surface of a printing element and then transferred the holographic image to a substrate. A coating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed or engraved to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is then transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holographic material produced by a batch process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;    applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;    engraving the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;    providing a substrate;    applying a bonding material to at least one of the substrate and the first surface of the holographic image; and    disposing the substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing the holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element.    
     
     
         2 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 1  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         3 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 2  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         4 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 2  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         5 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 2  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         6 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 1  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of applying a coating, the coating is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 1  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a substrate, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 7  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         9 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 7  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         10 . A holographic material produced by a batch process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the batch process comprising: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;    applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;    engraving the coated surface to provide an image on the coating;    applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;    providing a substrate;    applying a bonding material to at least one of the substrate and the first surface of the holographic image; and    disposing the substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing the holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element.    
     
     
         11 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 10  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         12 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 11  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         13 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 11  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         14 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 11  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         15 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 10  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of applying a coating, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 10  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein, in the step of providing a substrate, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 16  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         18 . The holographic material produced by the batch process of  claim 16  for applying a holographic image to a substrate wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.