In-mold labeling (IML) technology is currently quite mature in Europe, with at least 85% to 95% of food packaging using IML. As people's quality of life continues to improve, IML technology will be widely used. IML labels are used during the plastic product molding process, forming an integral part of the mold.
In-mold labeling is a process where a robotic arm picks up the printed label and places it in a mold. Vacuum holes in the mold securely hold it in place. As the plastic bottle material heats and sags into a tubular shape, the mold with the label is quickly closed. Air is blown into the tubular shape, forcing it to adhere to the mold walls. At this point, the mold is still relatively hot, and the solid adhesive on the label, clinging to the bottle's initial form, begins to melt and fuse with the plastic bottle within the mold. When the mold is opened again, the plastic bottle takes shape, and the label and bottle become one, making the beautifully printed label firmly embedded in the plastic product. The label and bottle appear to be on the same surface, creating the illusion of a non-labeled product. The colorful graphics appear as if printed directly on the bottle. This not only enhances the aesthetics of in-mold labeling but also improves its resistance to wear, heat, water, and moisture.
1. Fully automated production, improving efficiency and reducing costs
2. Enhanced barrier properties of containers
3. Exquisite, high-definition printing quality, surpassing traditional printing processes
4. Labels resist peeling, maintain a durable color, are resistant to damage, and are waterproof, oil-proof, mildew-proof, acid- and alkali-resistant, abrasion-resistant, low-temperature-resistant, and immersion-resistant.
5. Simplified re-printing process, ensuring environmental protection
6. Labels are embedded in the container, becoming an integral part of the product, creating a label-free appearance and providing a certain degree of anti-counterfeiting effectiveness.
7. The in-mold process increases the toughness of the container while reducing the amount of resin used.
| No. | Industry Category | Product Types |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lubricant Industry | Lubricating oils, gear oils, antifreeze, etc. |
| 2 | Daily Chemical Products Industry | Shower gels, shampoos, cleaning agents, stain removers, and personal care products, etc. |
| 3 | Food Industry | Soy sauce, ice cream, coffee, fruit juices, tea beverages, yogurt, etc. |
| 4 | Pharmaceutical Industry | High-end pharmaceuticals |
Two or more labels are stuck to the bottle at the same time. This is rare, but it can lead to label deviation or label dropout. The robot uses vacuum suction to absorb labels. Excessive vacuum suction or excessive friction between labels are the main reasons for multiple or double labels. Adjusting the vacuum suction of the robot and effectively eliminating static electricity are effective ways to solve the over-labeling problem.
During the robot's label delivery process, the label may fall off when it detaches from the suction cup midway and is not delivered to the mold cavity at all or it may fall out of the mold cavity due to weak vacuum suction.
When the machine is turned on normally, but there are no labels on the front or back, this problem is mainly caused by air pressure and label dropout. Solving these problems starts with the selection of the labeling robot, followed by the choice of label. Different in-mold labels also produce different label quality. Generally speaking, in-mold labels with good stiffness and low static electricity help ensure accurate label adhesion. Finally, regarding waste disposal, standard methods cannot be used. Because the label and the bottle are made of the same material and are completely integrated during the production process after a single molding process, the label paper and the bottle body are completely fused. First, scrape off the ink printed on the label paper, not the entire label, and then shred it and add it to the inner layer of the bottle to achieve recycling and environmental protection.
In addition to the above, other common problems with in-mold labeling include product discoloration, ink washout, poor edge finishing, poor punching, edge wrapping, and cracking. These are not only related to the quality of the label, but also have a lot to do with the molding process and mold design. Therefore, it is important to choose a good manufacturer. Zhejiang Zhongyu Science and Technology has cooperated with many brands for many years. From raw material procurement, pre-press, printing, post-press processing, packaging to transportation, every link is done meticulously to eliminate any unprofessionalism and imperfections. Compared with traditional methods, the main advantage of our in-mold label technology is the fineness and high resolution of the printing effect, which can definitely meet your pursuit of quality and intelligence.
