Embossed film assembly having pastel holographic security features

A security layer assembly configured to be disposed on a substrate, the security layer comprising:

• a polymer layer having an image formed therein;
• and
• a high refractive index (HRI) layer on the polymer layer, the polymer layer and the HRI layer forming a holographic security feature on the substrate,
• wherein the image in the polymer layer is formed from low frequency gratings configured to generate a pastel color in the holographic security feature.

A method comprising:

• printing personalized information on a surface of a document substrate;
• applying a polymer layer to the surface of the document substrate;
• forming a holographic pastel-color-containing image by embossing low frequency gratings into the polymer layer;
• and
• applying a high refractive index layer onto the gratings and the polymer layer.