The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) announced the winners of its inaugural Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards 2025 during a special ceremony held at the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) Conference in Warsaw, Poland (see HOTN September 2025).
Awards were presented in seven categories: Best Disruptive Technology, Best Innovation in Optically Variable Technologies (OVT), Best Origination, Best Integrated Technology/Best Document Security Application, Best Product Security Application, and Best Decorative/ Packaging Product. In addition, the Lifetime Achievement Award honoured individuals for their lifelong contributions to the advancement of holography, optical security, and the global fight against counterfeiting.
While our last edition covered the best disruptive technologies and innovations in OVT categories, we are now covering the entries for the best decorative/ packaging product.
Firedancer from Hazen: the winner in this category was Hazen for its ‘Firedancer’ Poster. Hazen produced this innovation for the famous band Dave Matthews to elevate their tour posters with a custom holographic ‘Firedancer’ logo set against a vibrant, psychedelic wave-based backdrop.
Produced entirely in Hazen’s Holyoke facility, the nano-wave optics were created in Hazen’s laser lab, then micro-embossed and transfer metallised onto smooth-asglass cover stock using its environmentally friendly Envirofoil and the HoloJet process.
The holography is created with an optical structure that is imparted on the surface of the paper (underneath the printed graphics) with an ultra-thin polymer layer that is less than 2 microns in thickness.
The category also drew an impressive range of optical security packaging, each redefining the use of optics in packaging in its own way, including:
Innovation by K Laser: K Laser submitted two entries, ‘The Origin’ and ‘Africa Pulp and Paper Magazine Cover’.
The Origin is an experimental holographic design project by K Laser Design Lab and K Laser Technology that explores bespoke holographic applications through a gallery of planet-inspired visual art.
Using the solar system as a universal theme, the project interprets the distinct surfaces of celestial bodies – such as the rocky terrain of Mars or the icy texture of Pluto – into custom holographic patterns.
These tactile, light-responsive designs demonstrated how holography can embody narrative and material meaning, redefining it as a medium for innovation in visual communication.
The Africa magazine cover demonstrates how advanced surface embellishment techniques – particularly stereo relief and holography – can elevate print media, transforming a magazine cover into a tactile and visually impactful storytelling platform.
Produced together by AMAGIC Technologies and K Laser Group, the design intricately sculpts the terrain of the African continent and enhances it with a metallic surface finish. The title features the reference pattern KF011, a wood-grain effect symbolising the natural origins of pulp and paper. The cover is produced on 100% recyclable Eco-Paperboard®, reinforcing its sustainability message.
Card box LIGHT LINE® by KURZ: this is a promotional sample from the KURZ LIGHT LINE®series, which offers other packaging samples with a wide variety of holographic effects. This card game packaging was chosen because it not only boasts impressive holographic effects, but the black tone in combination also lends it an additional special feature.
The result is a shimmering play of colours from the holographic structures on a black background, which lends the overall effect a mysterious feel and repeatedly creates exciting reflections in the light.
Ananda and Suman Tea by Holostik India: Holostik submitted two innovations produced for the brand Ananda Dairy Ghee (clarified butter) and the Suman Tea product line to protect them from counterfeit and fraudulent packaging.
For the Ananda project, Holostik developed an advanced UV-recombined holographic carton with panel registration, integrating multiple security and visual effects sourced from various mastering machines, thereby combining innovation and craftsmanship.
The carton body prominently features a Closed Pillar of Light effect, merged with UV-recombined elements such as the Ananda logo and an ‘A’ LetterLens, adding depth and making authenticity instantly recognisable. The top and bottom flaps feature dynamic 2D/3D holographic branding of ‘Ananda Pure Ghee’, seamlessly blending into an Ananda-coloured strip that reinforces brand identity.
A distinctive 18mm bottom strip, created using dual mastering techniques, incorporates forensiclevel security features, including letter lenses, microtext, relief textures, and intricate microstructures.
The Suman tea is another project for which Holostik uses the UV recombination technique, featuring an interactive fivepanel Letter Lens effect that vividly displays the ‘SUMAN’ name and logo, delivering a visually distinctive and instantly recognisable brand signature.
Complementing this is the inclusion of specialised brush line patterns embedded within the UV recombination process, which add a refined layer of artisanal intricacy and complexity, markedly increasing the difficulty of replication and thus strengthening tamper resistance.
Time Traveller and Basketball Hall of Fame by Hazen: another submission from Hazen, includes its annual holographic calendar – the Hazen 100 TIME TRAVELER™ and Basketball Hall of Fame.
TIME TRAVELER is a large-format, bespoke hologram created by transferring Hazen’s Envirofoil to premium paper cover stock. This innovation allows the piece to be as recyclable as paper, thanks to a holographic layer only one micron deep.
Once laminated, the calendars are printed using UV Litho or digital processes, delivering crisp detail and vibrant imagery.
The 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame yearbook cover is striking, featuring rich fall colours of navy blue, gold, and burnished copper; holographic spotlight beams that emphasise the words’ Basketball Hall of Fame’; and the star of the piece – a floating holographic basketball.
It includes Fresnel Lens technology utilising Hazen’s deep-groove technology for sharper images and greater dimensionality. Appearing to move and change with the angle of light, the holographic treatment on the cover attracts attention and interaction with the book. It also serves as a validating seal to definitively authenticate the minimal number of 2024 Enshrinement Yearbooks.
Four Ancient Civilisations by Suzhou. Image: designed for glass bottles, this innovation seamlessly merges aesthetics with security, providing an eye-catching and protective solution for brands. This work utilises DOVID dynamic diffraction optical design, leveraging micro-nano grating structural colour to brilliantly depict the four great civilisations of ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient Babylon, and China.
The key features include 3D effects, static text combined with dynamic animal imagery for a layered, lifelike appearance, colour-shifting text, a neon-like glow that catches the eye and elevates the packaging, and partially demetallised transparency.
The next edition will feature the nominations in the best origination, integrated technology/document security, and product security applications.
