A holographic article and method for forming permits the party producing the final document to print the holographic image directly on the final document thereby permitting such party to retain and maintain control of his own embossing shim on which the hologram has been formed and which is utilized for embossing the holographic image on the document. A film upon which a holographic image can be directly stamped upon the final document includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final document during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which they had initially been applied.