IMD process is the abbreviation of In Moulding Decoration.
Also known as the mold transfer technology, IMD is the international leading plastic surface decoration technology, the application of this technology can be functional and decorative in one.
IMD process products have high definition, good three-dimensional sense, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant surface. It can change the design mode at will, enhance the appearance of the product, reflecting the perfect special-shaped structure.
The main fields include surface decoration and functional panels of home appliances, mobile phone window lens and shell, automobile instrument panel and decoration parts, automobile signs, medical equipment appearance parts and panels, mobile phone protective cases and other products.
Normally, The film of IML have 3 layers.
Top layer is the surface hardening transparent film (generally PET or PC). The middle is printing pattern layer. Adhesive layer is on the back. ink always print on pattern layer, this prevent the surface is scratched, and can maintain the bright color for a long time is not easy to fade.
This process is roughly to put the printing pattern of the film into the plastic mold for injection molding, plastic materials generally use ABS, PET, nylon, etc. When the molding is complete, the film and plastic bond together and the wear-resistant material is on the outermost side.
Advantages of this process are as follows:
- Dust prevention, moisture resistance and corrosion resistance.
- Scrresistant and wear resistant, never unpaint.
- Pattern color is bright, strong sense of hierarchy.
- The plate design can change at any time without changing the mold.
- Very extremely transparency window effect.
- The keys have excellent effect, long service life.
- Stereo molding can increase the freedom of the design.
- It can be combined with various processes, such as：
- color printing
- color plating
- electroplating
- screen printing
- three-dimensional pattern
- double-layer pattern printing
- partial light and dumb combination
- UV transfer printing and other special processes.