IMD (In-Mold Decoration)

Includes various in-mold decoration technologies such as IML, IMF, and IMD.

1. IML — In-Mold Labeling

Process: A pre-printed label film is placed inside the mold; during injection molding, the film is fused with the plastic part, and the film ultimately remains on the product’s surface.

Features:

The film experiences virtually no stretching or deformation
Suitable for flat and slightly curved products
Low cost and high yield

Typical applications: Food containers, home appliance panels, daily necessities, buckets/boxes.

2. IMF — In-Mold Film (commonly referred to in the industry as “High-End IMD”)

Process: A patterned film is first preheated and stretched, then laminated to the mold cavity before injection molding, permanently bonding the film to the plastic part.

Features:

Film can be deeply stretched and used for complex 3D molding
Surface is highly wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and weather-resistant
Premium appearance; supports textures, gradients, and tactile characters

Typical Applications: Automotive interiors (door panels, dashboards, air vents), high-end home appliances, 3C device housings.

3. IMR — In-Mold Release (In-Mold Transfer)

Process: The film consists of a pattern layer and a release layer. During injection molding, the pattern is transferred to the plastic part’s surface. After molding, the film backing is peeled off, leaving only the pattern.

Features:

No film layer on the surface; texture resembles spray painting
Suitable for products with high aesthetic requirements but where a film-like thickness is undesirable
Moderate cost with high yield rates

Typical Applications: Mobile phone casings, small appliance housings, decorative parts.

The Decorative Layer is Molded as a Single Unit With the Plastic Part

This reduces the need for multi-part assembly, improving assembly precision and the overall refinement of the vehicle’s interior.

Fewer Production Steps, Lower Scrap Rates, and the Ability to Produce Multi-Color

Complex textures in a single molding process, making it ideal for stable, high-volume production.

Application Case

Repeat Order Special Successfully Delivers Turnkey Plant Solution

As the largest mold manufacturing and product processing base in Hebei Province, the customer specializes in R&D and design of molds for four major sectors: high-end automotive interior and exterior parts, home appliances, daily necessities, and toys. It is a tier-1 supplier to Midea and Great Wall Motors, operating an integrated molding and plastics factory covering mold manufacturing, injection molding, spraying, and component assembly.

Customer Success Story Empowers the Nail Art Industry with Multi-color Nail Tip Technology Upgrade

Based in Laoling, Shandong Province, this plastic product manufacturer has carved out a strong foothold in the specialized segment of beauty plastic products, with a core focus on nail tip production. By partnering with TUP to deploy a professional injection molding production system, the company has driven process iteration and upgrading through technological collaboration, achieving three key breakthroughs simultaneously—energy conservation, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement—and thus enhancing its core competitiveness in the market.

Customer Story | Cost Reduction & Efficiency Improvement: Customer Endorsement for TUP 's All-Electric Injection Molding Machines

Focus on Application Demands of Thin-Wall PackagingThe Fierce Competition for Every Millimeter in Speed and Precision@TUP Build a Definitive Answerfor Efficient, Energy-Saving and Stable Production.

Customer Story | A Simple ''Great'' – The Sincere Recognition for TUP Injection Molding Machines

Recently, after successfully concluding the Qingdao Rubber & Plastic Exhibition, the team from TUP’s Marketing Department was privileged to visit the cleanroom of a valued customer in Qingdao – and found themselves "immersed" in the customer’s repeated praise of "great" for TUP’s equipment.

The Path to Intelligent Manufacturing Success: Yili and TUP

Yili Group entered the cleaning industry in 1985, primarily engaged in the R&D, production, and marketing of diversified cleaning products such as high-pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, sprayers, and steam cleaners. The group owns several brands including "Yili," "Aizhuren," and "YILIGARDEN." Its manufacturing bases are located in Jiashan, Zhejiang; Nanyang, Henan, China; and Haiphong, Vietnam. Among these, Yili Electromechanical operates a 13,500 m² production base in Jiashan, housing over 140 injection molding machines in its injection molding workshop.