A method of producing indicia on a metallized and/or a holographic film comprising the steps of (a) printing, on an etchable surface of the film, a co-polymeric primer in a predetermined pattern, (b) depositing an activated etching substance on top of at least the unprinted metallized and/or holographic material under conditions sufficient to etch away portions of the film not covered by the primer and thereby forming a crystallized material as the debris of etching, (c) removing the crystallized material formed during etching and also removing any excess etching substance, and (e) drying the etched, printed film. Optionally, a reinforcing film layer may be disposed over the etched surface. The reinforcing layer may be colored in a predetermined pattern, especially a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of printing of the non-etchable copolymer.