A New Metallic Texture IML Solution from Zhejiang Zhongyu Technology Co., Ltd.
Titanium-inspired IML cup collection with multiple metallic color effects.
Titanium-style drinkware has become popular for its distinctive metallic texture, changing reflections, and modern premium appearance. However, using titanium for an entire cup can significantly increase material and manufacturing costs.
To provide a more flexible alternative, Zhejiang Zhongyu Technology Co., Ltd. has developed a new Titanium-Effect In-Mold Label (IML) for injection-molded cup shells. The label is designed to reproduce a titanium-inspired metallic texture on the outer surface of the cup, while the inner cup uses 304 stainless steel.
This structure combines an injection-molded plastic outer cup, a customized titanium-effect IML decoration, and a 304 stainless steel inner cup. It gives brands a premium metallic appearance without requiring the entire cup to be made from titanium.
The biggest visual feature of this IML is the irregular metallic texture. Under different angles and lighting, the surface can appear brighter, darker, warmer, or cooler, creating a sense of depth similar to the textured look seen on fashionable titanium cups.
Depending on the customer’s product concept, the finish can be customized in different directions, such as:
· Silver metallic texture
· Blue metallic texture
· Gold and purple gradient
· Blue and orange gradient
· Pink, yellow, or multi-color metallic transitions
· Customized titanium-inspired patterns and brand graphics
Blue-to-orange titanium-effect IML with visible metallic texture under light.
A full titanium cup can deliver a premium material experience, but titanium is relatively expensive. For projects where the main goal is to achieve the fashionable titanium-style appearance, Titanium-Effect IML provides another design route.
The metallic texture is created on the injection-molded outer cup through the in-mold label, while the inner cup is 304 stainless steel. This allows brands to keep a premium visual presentation while having more flexibility in material selection, product structure, color matching, and cost control.
The product should therefore be described as a titanium-effect or titanium-inspired IML cup, rather than a full titanium cup. This distinction helps communicate the material structure clearly to customers.
Silver titanium-effect IML cup with a clean monochrome metallic finish.
During production, the decorative in-mold label is placed inside the mold before the plastic outer cup is formed. Molten plastic is then injected into the mold, allowing the label to bond with the cup surface during molding.
After molding, the decorated outer shell is combined with the 304 stainless steel inner cup. The final product therefore combines decorative IML technology with a practical stainless steel inner structure.
· Outer layer: injection-molded plastic cup shell
· Decoration: customized Titanium-Effect In-Mold Label
· Inner layer: 304 stainless steel cup
· Final appearance: integrated metallic texture with customized colors and graphics
Titanium texture is only one starting point. The IML surface can be combined with logos, printed graphics, gradients, metallic colors, transparent areas, special patterns, and limited-edition artwork. Lid colors can also be coordinated with the body finish to create a complete product series.
This makes the solution suitable for reusable coffee cups, travel cups, branded merchandise, promotional drinkware, gift products, lifestyle collections, and other applications where visual differentiation is important.
· Distinctive titanium-inspired metallic texture
· Rich gradient and color possibilities
· IML decoration integrated during injection molding
· Premium visual appearance for reusable drinkware
· Custom branding, patterns, and product series
· More flexible cost control compared with an all-titanium cup
· Compatible with a 304 stainless steel inner cup structure
Zhejiang Zhongyu Technology Co., Ltd. continues to develop special-effect in-mold labels for plastic packaging and molded products. Our new Titanium-Effect IML expands the visual possibilities of conventional cup decoration by combining metallic texture, gradient color, and injection molding technology.
Customers can provide cup dimensions, structure, color preferences, artwork, or visual references. Our team can then discuss a suitable IML design and customized metallic finish based on the project requirements.
Zhejiang Zhongyu Technology Co., Ltd. | Professional In-Mold Label & Special-Effect IML Supplier
