In-mould labelling | Principles & Uses- Orianaa Decorpack- 2023
In- Mould Labelling
The use of paper or plastic labels during the production of containers using blow moulding, injection moulding, or thermoforming methods is known as “in-mould labelling” or “Foil in mould.” The label is a crucial component of the finished item, which is subsequently provided as a ready-to-decorate item. The overall cost is reduced when the decorating and moulding processes are combined, but the manufacturing time may increase. Together with Procter & Gamble, Owens-Illinois initially developed the technology to provide pre-labelled bottles that could be filled on a product filling line. This was initially used on the shampoo bottles for Head & Shoulders.
Principles (In- Mould Labelling)
Although innovations employing injection moulding or thermoforming with reel-fed systems have boosted the efficiency of the labelling process, in-mould labelling (IML) was first developed for blow moulding. In the original design, a heat seal layer is coated on the label’s backside before a substrate is added and heat-resistant ink is printed on it. Then, a lacquer coating that is heat resistant is used. With this method, it is no longer necessary to flame treat the bottles first before applying labels to ensure proper adhesion. The label substrate that the heat reactive adhesive was initially put to was paper. Polyolefin substrates, such Polyart from Arjobex Synthetic Papers, have been used more recently.
The benefit of this is that leftover polyethylene and polypropylene bottles from the moulding process can be recycled without the requirement to remove the labels first.
Uses of In-Mould Labelling
A common technique for adorning injection-molded components for consumer electronics and plastic bottles is in-mould labelling. IML technology is being used by producers of cellphones and notebook computers because it offers more wear resistance than pad printing or spray painting. IML can offer more alternatives for decoration than other techniques. In order to create products with graphics of a higher calibre than those possible with other decorating techniques, multi-color screen printing and offset lithography printing are used. Second surface graphics are used in the majority of these applications. A clear substrate that is 0.125 to 0.375 mm (0.005 to 0.015 in) thick, commonly made of polycarbonate or acrylic, has the decoration printed on the back side. On the ink side of the film, the injection plastic is located. This prevents the ornamentation from being worn away during use by encasing it between the film layer and the injected plastic. Label placement accuracy and label accuracy can both be verified by vision systems.