We report the novel use of thermoplastic acrylic lacquer (automotive paint) in the hot embossing of nanoscale structures. Replicas of grating arrays have been produced in coatings of acrylic lacquer using a standard embossing process. The master dies for the experiments comprised grating arrays fabricated by electron beam lithography. Grating patterns with a pitch of 0.7-1.3 mu m were configured to produce diffractive images over an area of similar to 25 x 25 mm. The embossing experiments used a replicated Ni shim as a die and were performed at 100-150 degrees C and 80 kN force. A temperature above the glass transition temperature for the lacquer, T = 120-150 degrees C, was required in order to achieve a uniform impression across the embossed area of similar to 80 x 80 mm. The diffractive grating patterns which were embossed into acrylic lacquer have shown optical effects suitable as a security feature including image switching and color movement.