Process for making embossed metallic leafing pigments

A process for preparing finely divided embossed metal particles, comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming an embossment pattern on a carrier surface, said embossment pattern comprising a diffraction grating having from about 5,000 to about 11,000 grooves per cm;
• (b) applying a layer of metal to the surface so that the layer adopts the complement of the embossment pattern;
• (c) separating the layer from the surface;
• and
• (d) reducing the layer to embossed particles.

A process for preparing finely divided particles for use in producing a diffraction or holographic image pattern, each of which has at least one embossed surface, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a sheet having a first side and a second side, at least one side of which has an embossment pattern comprising a diffraction grating having from about 5,000 to 11,000 grooves per cm;
• (b) depositing, in the form of a thin film having an inside surface and outside surface, an optically-effective material onto said embossment pattern, so that the inside surface of the film adopts the complement of the embossment pattern;
• (c) passing said sheet with said film of said material through a release environment which causes said film to separate from the sheet but which is non-destructive of said material;
• and
• (d) removing said film of said material from said sheet in a particulate form to produce the particles, and collecting the particles in a solvent which is non-reactive with said material.