• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Bizongo Hive

Bizongo Hive

Your Source of Packaging Stories

  • For Buyers
    • Design Square
    • Artwork Flow
    • Procure Live
    • Develop Plus
  • For Sellers
    • Partner Hub
  • Catalogue
  • Customer Stories
  • Tech@Bizongo
  • Tools
    • Artwork Proofing
    • 3D Packaging Design
  • Contact Us
Show Search
Hide Search
  • Home
  • Automation with Tech
    • Supply Chain Automation
    • Artwork Management
  • Industry Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Reports
  • Everything Packaging
    • Product Reviews
    • Expert Interviews
    • Packaging Innovations
  • Videos
  • Let’s Talk Sustainability!
  • Inside Bizongo

Selecting the Right In-Mold Labeling Process for Your Product Packaging

Rangan Das : January 4, 2021

In-mold labeling cover

In-mold labeling is a process in which manufacturers place a pre-printed polypropylene label in the mold of the packaging during the manufacturing process. Hence, when the mold gives shape to the plastic packaging, it also adds the labeling to the packaging. The mold gives the shape to the end product as well as performs the labeling. After the curing time, the packaging and the labeling becomes a single piece.

There are three methods of in-mold label printing processes. These include the injection molding, the blow molding and the thermoforming.

Injection Molding

Injection molding is the most common form of molding thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers. During this process, manufacturers inject heated and liquefied plastics or polymers in a mold. The mold generally has a small hole or opening through which the injection takes place. After the injection is done, the mold is allowed to cool where the plastic takes its shape. This is the way a lot of plastic containers a made. Butter or ice-cream tubs are very common examples of products that use injection molding as well as in-mold labeling. For example, the Amul Lite butter tubs, and a lot of skin cream packaging is made using this process. Smaller plastic paint buckets also use the same manufacturing process. Computer keyboards and cell phone keypads also use this manufacturing technology.

IML injection- In-mold labeling
Image

In case of injection method of in-mold label printing, the printed label is first placed into the mold and during the injection process, the printed polypropylene film fuses with the thermoplastic. So, in one step, we get the labelled plastic packaging.

Blow Molding

Blow molding is used for hollow plastic parts. This is a process in which manufactures stretch or extrude a heated plastic mass to take the shape of a mold. Blow molding is a very old process. Glass bottles used this manufacturing process and hence, even today, plastic bottles use the same principles of glass blowing. In blow molding, the extruded plastic is first put into a hollow tube. The hollow tube is captured in the mold and air is blown into the hollow tube so that it captures the shape of the mold. The inner wall of the mold contains the polypropylene sheet that has the labeling printed on it. As the plastic cools down, the labeling infuses into the mold.

Blow molding- In-mold labeling
Courtesy: ccllabel.com

Manufacturers use this process to produce liquid containers, such as containers for liquid soaps, shampoos, dishwashing detergents, ketchup, and sauces. Most shampoo bottles on the market use this form of labeling as it is waterproof.

Thermoforming

Thermoforming is slightly different than the previous two processes as in this case, the plastic is not completely melted. Manufacturers use heated plastic sheets for the process. They use a forming tool that gives the plastic sheets the form of containers. Here, during the forming process, the preprinted labels accompany the plastic sheets. The heated sheets are stamped onto a mold and during this stage, the printed label and the plastic sheet binds together.

Manufacturers use thermoforming for making plastic cups. Ice cream cups, as well as plastic coffee cups, are made using this process. Also, plastic tubs used for packaging ice cream use this manufacturing process.

IML thermoforming- In-mold labeling
Courtesy: www.marbach.com

Pros and Cons of In-Mold Labeling

  • Maximum coverage: With in-mold labeling, you can cover a lot more surface of the packaging with minimal effort. Moreover, this provides full-colour high-resolution graphics for your labeling.
  • Wear resistance: Unlike separate labels, these labels do not face or tear away easily. They are a part of the plastic container itself. Hence, they are waterproof, resistant to fading and wear and tear.
  • Minimal production time: There is no extra delay in labeling during the manufacturing process. The container is created and labelled in a single step. There is no need for storing unlabeled containers for later labeling, the containers do not have to be shipped to any other facility for labeling either.
  • Environmentally friendly: The label and packaging make a single piece and hence recycling them are much easier.
  • A wide range of customization options: There are multiple options when it comes to customizing the labels in in-mold labeling. Manufacturers can use multiple types of inks and paints for labeling.
  • Fast changeovers: If you are changing the packaging label, then there is almost no extra cost associated with it. Incorporating a new design is quite easy and there is no loss of production during the change.
  • Only available for thermoplastics: In-mould labeling is not available for glass, paper, or metallic containers.

You can read here the detailed information about packaging design and development.

Wrap Up

In-mold labeling is a common and low-cost way to manufacture labelled containers quickly. The labeling is resistant to wear and tear and is also waterproof, making it a great option for labeling containers that are made from a mold.

9

Related posts:

  1. Decoding The Different Types of Packaging Products [A Complete Guide]
  2. A Detailed Guide for Ancillary Packaging Materials
  3. 4 Commonly Faced Packaging Challenges Solved
  4. Zero Waste Packaging: Eliminating Plastics to Level Zero

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Reader Interactions

Related Posts

packing tapes
Plastic vs Paper: How to Pick The Right Packing Tape for Your Business
What is the importance of a Gusset in a Non Woven Bag?
paperboat-packaging-review-photo
Paper Boat Packaging: Flexible Packaging for Beverages with a Twist

Comments

  1. Adrian Jones says

    April 23, 2019 at 7:42 am

    I like how you mentioned that there are several ways of molding plastic into usable containers and one of them is injection molding. this process requires expert skill and care when it comes to handling the item in question so that the end product is something that can be reusable many times over. If I had the chance to use this kind of molding then I would try to get some packages made.

    Reply
    • Tanuja Ratnaparkhi says

      April 23, 2019 at 10:31 am

      Hey,

      Glad you found the article to be helpful. Get more such blog posts on https://bizongo.com/blog/

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

ABOUT BIZONGO

Bizongo.com
About Us
Customer Stories
Tech@Bizongo
Careers
Media

FOR BUYERS

Design Square
Artwork Flow
Procure Live
Develop Plus

FOR SELLERS

Partner Hub
Seller App – iOS
Seller App – Android

CONTACT US

Tel: +91 80 8000 4646
support@bizongo.com

Copyright © 2021 · Bizongo