In Mould Labelling & Decoration can achieve cost reductions together with outstanding quality of product

In mould labelling or decoration provides an excellent alternative to traditional methods of labelling. An increasingly competitive marketplace means that the effective design of a products packaging is crucial in relation to marketing and sales. 

There are two main topics to this process:

• In mould labelling (IML) is a technology used to decorate plastic products during manufacture. Combining the decoration process with the moulding process cuts the total cost by removing costly secondary processes such as the printing and application of adhesive labels at a later stage of production which is the traditional method. The process also allows for the use of specialist coated films to be used as part if the moulding process

• In Mould decoration (IMD) is much the same as above but with two primary operation performed to form and trim the part so that it fits withing a profiles mould cavity. A good example would be printed mobile phone covers.

The process steps are as follows:

1, The printed film       2, The primary formed parts is

    is formed to shape       finish formed and trimmed

                         

3, The film insert is            4, Molten plastic is injected

    Placed in the mould           Into the mould cavity

    cavity

                             

    

4, The finished part.

     

In-mould labelling is becoming a more popular method of decorating injection moulded parts for consumer electronics. Notebook computer and mobile telephone manufacturers are adopting IML technology for greater wear resistance than spray painting or pad-printing. IML can provide greater range of effects and finishes than traditional methods.

Multi-colour screen printing processes are used to produce products with higher quality graphics than available with other decorating methods. Most applications in this area use sub-surface printing. The decoration is printed on the under side of a clear substrate, typically polycarbonate, polyester or acrylic. The injection plastic is on the ink side of the film. Care in selection of the type of inks used is crucial as they are very specialist. This encapsulates the decoration between the film layer and the injected plastic resulting in a decoration that can't be abraded during use.

The key benefits of in mould labelling (IML) and in Mould decoration (IMD) are:

Design Flexibility

• Unique Graphics
• Selection of High Grade Printable Film Providing abrasion/chemical resistance, anti fog and antimicrobial qualities in a range of standard thicknesses. Please click on pdfs below for a selection of data sheets
• Multiple models with one mould tool.

Manufacturing Productivity

• Eliminates secondary operations and labour
• Decorate a part for life in one operation
• Eliminate adhesive cost and process

Design benefits

• Abrasion, Chemical & UV Resistance
• Anti Fog Coatings
• Built in hard coated Anti-Microbial protection
• Optically clear performance
• Excellent print receptive coatings
• Impact resistance and Dimensional Stability
• Flame Retardant up to UL94 V0
• Indoor and outdoor applications

Produced specifically for customers requirements. As with all our products, we are pleased to assist at the design stage. If you would like to discuss your design requirements please contact us by completing this form - Enquiry Form or calling us using the details on our contact page.

We have a variety of products available, listed below are some of the services we offer:

| Membrane Keypads and Switches
| In Mould Decoration
| High Volume Manufacturing Service (Video!)
| Graphic Overlays
| Laser Cutting (Video!)
| Labels
| Panel Printing
| Digital Printing
| Polydome Labels
| Display Lenses
| Barcodes and Roll Labels
| Sub Assembly
| Van Graphics