In-Mould Labeling (IML)
IML places a printed film label inside the mould before the plastic is injected. The molten polymer fuses with the label, making the decoration a permanent, seamless part of the container — it cannot peel, bubble or wash off.
How it works
Label printing
Labels are printed on polypropylene film matched to the container resin, then precision die-cut.
Robotic placement
A robot places each label into the open injection mould with sub-millimetre accuracy, held by static or vacuum.
Injection & fusion
Molten polypropylene fills the mould and fuses with the label — decoration and container become one part.
Ejection & inspection
Finished, fully decorated parts eject ready to fill — no secondary labelling line, no applied-label defects.
Why it matters for your product
IML delivers photographic-quality branding that survives freezers, moisture and abrasion — which is why it dominates ice-cream tubs, paint buckets and premium containers. Because label and container are the same material, the pack is mono-material and fully recyclable. One process replaces two: moulding and labelling happen simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
What is in-mould labeling?
IML is a decoration technique where a printed film label is placed in the mould and fuses with the plastic during injection molding, becoming a permanent part of the container wall.
Why choose IML over stickers or direct printing?
Zero peel and zero bubble, wet-environment durability, premium photographic quality, and a fully recyclable mono-material pack.
What products suit IML?
Paint buckets, food and dairy containers, lubricant packs, appliance housings — any injection-moulded polypropylene part needing durable branding.
Is your IML process automated?
Yes — Unit 3 at Nangloi runs fully robotic IML integrated with injection molding, built for OEM precision and mass production.