A method for selectively removing metal from a metallized substrate (e.g.,
a metallized polymer film) and the formation of devices thereby are
provided. Th method involves selectively exposing the metallized surface
to a demetallizing (i.e., an oxidizing) chemical solution. The metallized
layer can be selectively exposed to the demetallizing solution using a
flexographic printing process wherein printing rollers are used to
transfer the demetallizing solution to the metallized surface. An
identification device including, for example, a holographic,
retro-reflective, or other metallized material and a radio-frequency
transponder are also provided. The radio-frequency transponder includes
an RF chip and an antenna in electrical communication with the chip. The
identification device including the holographic image allows both
electronic identification through the reading or identification data
stored in the chip and optical identification via the holographic image.