As A Leading In Mold Label Supplier- Qingdao Kingchuan: How We Are Different?
Compared to other Chinese mold label suppliers, we are unique.
- Kingchuan Packaging marks the surface and bottom of the container with innovative mold label technology.
- You can get a wide range of container shapes and sizes at Kingchuan.
- The end product does not require any further packaging and modification.
- Our products are incredibly strong, long-lasting, lightweight, and adhere to the label perfectly.
Kingchuan is the biggest IML supplier in China because we have all the IML printing processes available inside our manufacturing facilities, and we strive to provide excellent customer service. We are the industry leader in in-mold decoration quality, with millions of satisfied clients worldwide! Visit our website to learn more about us!
Qingdao Kingchuan Yuanrong International Trading Co., Ltd is one of China’s well-known and well-reputed In Mold Label manufacturers and suppliers. We have been supplying the best packaging products since 1992. We offer a wide range of high-quality and strong packaging materials. Our packaging films can be used for both industrial and end-user packaging products.
Kingchuan Packaging focuses on in-mold labeling and packaging solutions. We are the top CPP, PE, BOPP, BOPET, BOPA, IML, and PVDC suppliers.
We can proudly say that we are one of the leading in-mold labeling (IML) packaging suppliers in China due to the high quality and reasonable price of our IML products. Our IML products have outstanding visual quality. There are various choices for our roll-fed or cut-and-stack labels.
Which Materials Are Used for Labeling In-Mold
The two most widely utilized plastic varieties are high-density polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (HDPE), which can be used to create a container with in-mold labeling.
Sustainability of IML
IML is an eco-friendly molding procedure. It saves production process energy and footprint by minimizing secondary labeling procedures. The sturdy thin-walled container requires fewer raw materials to make, and less energy is used when less material is used and recyclable.
Kinds of IML
While in-mold labeling (IML) is commonly linked with injection molding, alternative techniques can also accomplish this. The three most popular IML molding techniques will be covered in this section:
- Injection Molding
- Blow Molding
- Thermo forming
Injection Molding IML
As advised by experts, injection molding is frequently linked with IML because it is the most prominent method of molding.
Selecting the Appropriate Mold and Thermoplastic
Since the right thermoplastics and molds really make and shape the final components, they must be made or chosen before the process can begin. To make the optimal decision, makers must consider the interaction between the thermoplastic and the mold, as some plastic kinds may not work with certain mold designs.
Thermoplastic Is Being Fed and Melted
Injection molding machines can be powered by electricity or hydraulics. The process starts with raw thermoplastic pellets placed into the machine’s top hopper.
Plastic Is Injected Into the Mold
When the molten plastic reach the barrel’s end the gate (that controls the injection of plastic) closes, and the screw moves forward. This creates internal pressure inside the screw, readying it for injection while pulling a predefined volume of plastic through. An available label is now inserted inside the mold.
Retaining and Lowering the Temperature
Pressure is applied to the mold after the majority of the plastic has been injected for a predetermined period of time. This is called “holding time,” and it can last anywhere from a few milliseconds to several minutes, depending on the type of thermoplastic and the complexity of the component.
Procedures for Finishing and Ejecting
When the part is nearly finished and the holding and cooling times have passed, pins or plates remove the pieces from the tool. These drop to the bottom of the machine, landing in a compartment or on a conveyor belt. The product will be completed and made of plastic with a label printed on it.
This is an economical in mold labelling process that produces high-quality goods and productive output. Injection IML is frequently used to create ice cream tubs, computer keyboards, tiny plastic IML paint buckets, and mobile phone keyboards.
Using Blow Molding IML
Blow molding is the second most utilized method for in-mold labeling. This process creates a parison, a hollow tube with one open end, out of the raw plastic material used in blow molding. The label for embellishment is initially affixed to the mold’s cavity wall, much like in-mold injection. The label inside the mold cavity fused with the molded plastic as it cooled.
Three distinct blow molding procedures exist:
Blow Molding with Injection
The entire injection blow molding procedure uses a blow or core rod. The parison is first inserted into the split mold cavity surrounding the rod. The resultant parison resembles something out of a test tube. The parison is fed into the blow mold machine via the core rod, where compressed air creates the finished shape. After that, the finished product is moved to the rod, which extrudes it from the apparatus.
Blow Molding by Extrusion
Blow molding by extrusion can be done periodically or continuously. As each shape in continuous extrusion blow molding grows like that is continuously put into the mold, it is chopped off with a blade. Intermittent extrusion blow molding removes each new plastic from the metal mold as it cools and is inserted into the mold after the prior plastic has been removed.
Stretch Blow Molding with Injection
Injection stretch blow molding is a combination of injection and blow molding techniques. The plastic must be molded into a solid performance to create a threaded bottleneck.
The preform is fed into a stretch blow mold machine when cooled. An infrared heater is used to warm the performance after pressurized air has been forced into a plastic container.
This technology is mostly used to make hollow plastic parts. This process was applied to the creation of glass bottles. Nowadays, this method is used to make plastic bottles.
The Process of Thermoforming
The least used IML process is thermoforming, which is nevertheless a useful method for producing decorative plastic goods of superior quality.
The thermoforming method can be applied in practically any industry and has countless uses.
Shaping
Heat-treated plastic sheets are thermoformed into a specific shape using a shaping tool. Unlike blow molding and injection molding, the plastic sheets are partially heated. Heat-pressed plastic sheets are stretched around a shaping tool. The heated plastic sheets take on the shape of the forming mold after cooling and solidifying.
Heating
A printed label is placed into the mold before the heated plastic sheets are positioned around the forming tool. As the heated plastic sheets cool and solidify in the mold, they stick to the label.
As the heated plastic sheets cool and solidify in the mold, they stick to the label printed on them, resulting in a completely decorated plastic object or product.
Applications of IML
PP, PE, PET-based blow molding and injection molding goods are the primary uses for in-mold labeling.
Product packaging for cosmetics and hair care items
Packing medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in containers
IML food container lid and drink packaging
Packing receptacles for liquid and powder chemical goods, including motor oil
Packing containers for condiments, including vinegar, soy sauce, and cooking oil
Today, many businesses, including the food, beverage, cosmetics, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and even automotive sectors, actively demonstrate interest in this technology. There are countless examples of IML products, some of them are as follows:
- Margarine, butter, and other spreadable materials
- Tubs of yoghurt
- Tubs of ice cream
- Candy jar
- Supplements and nutraceuticals
- Products for the home and garden
- Makeup products
- Paint Pots
- Cigarette
- IML label plastic tableware
IML Films may improve your packaging in various ways, which is why the market for in-mold labels is predicted to expand rapidly.
