In-Mold Labeling Process for Your Packaging- Orianaa Decorpack

During the production process, producers insert a pre-printed polypropylene label into the mould of the package. This procedure is known as "in-mold labelling." Therefore, the labelling is added to the package at the same time the mould provides the plastic packaging its shape. The final product is given shape by the mould, which also applies the labels. The packaging and the labelling come together as one piece after the curing period. There are three ways to print labels inside of moulds. These include thermoforming, blow moulding, and injection moulding.

#1 Injection Molding

The most typical method for moulding thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers is injection moulding. Manufacturers use this procedure to inject heated, liquefied plastics or polymers into a mould. The injection usually happens through a small hole or opening in the mould. After the injection is finished, the mould must cool before the plastic can take its final form. Many plastic containers are created in this way. Butter or ice cream tubs are typical items that use both in-mold labelling and injection moulding.

When using the injection method of in-mold label printing, the printed label is first inserted into the mould, then the printed polypropylene film is injected and fused with the thermoplastic. Thus, we obtain the labelled plastic package in a single process.

#2 Blowing moulds

For hollow plastic items, blow moulding is utilised. Manufacturers use this procedure to stretch or extrude heated plastic mass into the form of a mould. The process of blow moulding is quite old. Plastic bottles still employ the same glass blowing principles as glass bottles because they were produced using the same manufacturing method. The extruded plastic is initially placed into a hollow tube for blow moulding. The mould is used to hold the hollow tube while air is pumped into it, causing the hollow tube to take on the mold's shape. The polypropylene sheet with the labelling printed on it is part of the mold's inner wall. Labeling is infused into the mould when the plastic cools.

 In-Mold Labeling -Pros and Cons

Maximum protection:

With in-mold labelling, you can easily cover a lot more packing surface area. Additionally, this offers high-resolution graphics in full colour for your labelling.

Abrasion resistance:

These labels do not face or tear away readily, unlike individual labels. They are a component of the actual plastic container. In light of this, they are waterproof and durable.

Shortest period of production:

During the manufacturing process, labelling doesn't take any longer than usual. In a single step, the container is built and labelled. It is not necessary to store unlabeled containers for later labelling, nor is it necessary to send the containers to another location for labelling.

Friendly to the environment

Labels and packaging come together to form a single unit, making recycling them considerably simpler.

A variety of choices for personalization

When it comes to in-mold labelling, there are several alternatives for designing the labels. For labelling, manufacturers have access to a variety of inks and paints.

Quick transitions:

There is essentially no additional expense if you change the packaging label. A new design can be easily incorporated, and there is no production disruption as a result.

Exclusive to thermoplastics:

For containers made of glass, paper, or metal, in-mould labelling is not an option.