Holyoke, Massachusetts – Hazen Paper Company, demonstrating the enormous potential of transfer-metallized custom holography, brought home an award for a limited-edition collectible poster at the 2016 annual management meeting of the Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) held Marc­h 20-23 in Carlsbad, CA. The 50^th anniversary “Fare Thee Well” Grateful Dead poster earned a technical award in the decorative/display category.

Hazen created a large-format 18” x 24” three-dimensional hologram for Good Thoughts Printing of Boulder, CO to add psychedelic effect to the poster designed by Mike DuBois of Woodstock, NY. Multiple holographic techniques accented individual elements of the complex artwork, which features the skeleton of Uncle Sam riding a motorcycle down a golden road, a vintage Volkswagen bus, pyramids and other symbols suggested by song lyrics. Hazen-Lens™ delivered greater three-dimensional Fresnel-lens-like effects on the sun, the skull and the motorcycle. This technique was combined with rainbow holography, 2-channel holography, white-motion holography and micro-text holography in a single-write master design without recombination or shim lines. The  .10-inch, coated-2-side solid bleached sulfate (SBS) substrate was transfer-metallized with Hazen Envirofoil®, which features Ultracure™ coating for enhanced printability and provides essential lay-flat stay-flat properties. A.M. Lithography, of Chicopee, MA, printed the posters using UV-cure inks.

Judges deemed it “totally gorgeous,” and observed that the range of holographic techniques contributed to its visual impact: ”the pyramids stand out; the motorcycle light is a beacon.” “Plus, the transfer-metallized SBS lays really flat.”

According to Hazen President John Hazen, “It was a terrific opportunity for our holographic artists to apply varied techniques for mind-blowing results. The fact that it’s recyclable as paper? Collectors may not even realize it, but it’s a nice salute to the environmental movement that really picked up steam in the sixties. And, as a company, it’s important to us.” Hazen noted further that Envirofoil requires less than 95% of the aluminum used by traditional foil or film laminate; Hazen Paper’s metallizing process is powered by sustainable energy sources.