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In Mold Labeling (IML)
YOU ARE HERE: Home / Focused Expertise / In Mold Labeling (IML)

In Mold Labeling (IML)

In Mold Labeling (IML) is an injection molding process whereby the decoration of the plastic part, using a label, is produced during the plastic injection process. Simply put, a preprinted label is inserted via automation into the cavity of an injection mold and plastic is injected over the label. This produces a decorated / “labeled” plastic part in which the label is permanently fused to the part itself.

 

The IML market continues to experience rapid growth and adoption in a variety of end markets. These markets include many high volume consumer applications including food packaging, industrial containers, household goods, confectionary, and personal care items, to name a few.

There are many technical and commercial advantages of IML over using stick-on labels or conventional printing methods. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Visually appealing plastic parts
• Greater flexibility in part designs over conventionally printed products
• Environmentally friendly packaging – single plastic material to be recycled
• Space efficiency in non-round over round packaging
• Single process of injection molding and decorating – elimination of secondary processes and staged inventory requirements
• Volume appropriate production runs – elimination of set-up scrap in printing

In-Mold Labeling Container (IML) products have expanded rapidly to new market applications with 1-, 3- and 5-sided and wrap-around applications for event cups and household cleaners to ice cream, paint and coatings, personal care, yogurts, prepared meals, and condiments.

StackTeck - IMDA Gold Award
StackTeck has won multiple IMDA Gold Awards for its IMDA solutions.
StackTeck provides complete IML part and label design, mold prototyping, pilot testing and system integration at our Technical Service Center.

Our experience with high speed, high cavitation systems is well suited to IML projects to coordinate the needs of molders, label suppliers, material suppliers, and end users.
StackTeck has delivered award-winning In-Mold Labeling Container (IML) molds and automated systems to customers in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

StackTeck has built over 300 IML molds (50 of them being stack molds of up to 32 cavities).

See StackTeck’s most recent IMDA Award.

2×4 stack mold for IML Cup

IN MOLD LABELING (IML) SOLUTIONS:

  • IML Containers
  • IML Lids
  • IML Pails
  • StackTeck Automation
  • FastTrack Automation

WATCH A VIDEO OF A STACKTECK IML AUTOMATION SYSTEM:

  • StackTeck Automation System
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Request for Proposal

icon_76658Click here for an RFP from StackTeck for a benchmark tooling solution - from part design assistance and prototyping, to high-performance molds, to complete single-source molding systems.

IML Whitepapers

Three StackTeck Whitepapers on IML Technology and Systems Integration:
  1. IML Part Design and Tooling Considerations
  2. Systems Integration for IML
  3. Keys to successful IML Automation

IML Automation

https://vimeo.com/548151150?loop=0

IML Testimonials

Beverage Caps

  • Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) Molds
  • Mineral Water Closures
  • Hot Fill Closures
  • Other Caps & Closure Molds

Custom Closures

  • Unscrewing Closures
  • Collapsing Core Closures
  • Bump-off Caps & Closure Molds
  • Flip-Top Caps & Closures
  • Personal Care
  • Multi-Material Closures

PET Preforms

  • PET Innovation Expertise
  • PET Preform Molds
  • PET Preform Overmolding
  • PET Hot Runners
  • Post Mold Cooling – PiCOOL™
  • Mold Cooling – KoolTrack™
  • PET Mold Qualification

Thinwall Packaging

  • IML Containers
  • Barrier Containers / Lids
  • Ultra-Light-Weight Containers / Lids
  • Horticultural

Medical Molds

  • Medicine Cups
  • Labware / Petridishes
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Hospital Thinwall

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