Hot stamping hologram foil is made up of a polyester carrier, a number of lacquer layers and an adhesive sizing. During stamping a heated stamping wheel or engraved stamping die activates the very thin lacquer layers by means of heat and pressure. This causes the lacquer layers to bond permanently with the substrate of plastic, paper or thermal paper. The polyester carrier is then peeled off.

A tamper evident holographic label is a self-adhesive, stamped label with a holographic structure which is destroyed by attempts to remove or tamper with it. Silicone paper is used as carrier.

Hologram labels can be applied manually or by machine. Tests are necessary to decide on the actual application process used, as this depends on the machine and the substrate.