Composite cards formed in accordance with the invention include a security layer comprising a hologram or diffraction grating formed at or in the center, or core layer of the card. The hologram may be formed by embossing a designated area of the core layer with a diffraction pattern and depositing a thin layer of metal on the embossed layer. Additional layers may be selectively and symmetrically attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the core layer. A laser may be used to remove selected portions of the metal formed on the embossed layer, at selected stages of forming the card, to impart a selected pattern or information to the holographic region. The cards may be “lasered’ when the cards being processed are attached to, and part of, a large sheet of material, or after the sheets are die-cut into cards.