In-Mold Labeling (IML) for HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Digital Presses How-to Guide November 2015 © 2015 Copyright HP Development Company, L.P. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. HP, HP Indigo Press, HP Indigo Press RIP, and HP ElectroInk are trademarks or registered trademarks of HP. Adobe PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. MS Windows and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other products or name brands are trademarks of their respective holders. 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Part Number: CA494-18500 Edition: November 2015 Table of contents 1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Who can benefit from reading this document? ..................................................................................................... 1 2 Introduction to in-mold labeling (IML) ............................................................................................................ 2 What is in-mold labeling (IML)? ............................................................................................................................. 2 Market and applications ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) ................................................................................................ 5 Durable goods ..................................................................................................................................... 5 3 Production process ........................................................................................................................................ 6 General ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Design and Pre-press ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Substrates .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Priming ................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Printing ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Finishing (varnish) ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Converting (die-cutting and stacking) ................................................................................................................ 17 Molding ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Injection Molding ............................................................................................................................... 20 Blow Molding ..................................................................................................................................... 21 Thermoforming ................................................................................................................................. 22 Examples of E2E (end-to-end) process .............................................................................................................. 23 Injection molding ............................................................................................................................... 23 Blow molding ..................................................................................................................................... 24 4 Quality assurance and best practice .............................................................................................................. 25 Issues affecting IML end product quality and production process ..................................................................... 25 Standard quality tests for labels and end product ............................................................................................. 27 Regulatory aspects .............................................................................................................................................. 29 Appendix A Obtaining customer support .......................................................................................................... 30 Materials Application Team (MAT) ...................................................................................................................... 30 My HP Indigo ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 RIT’s HP Indigo Over-Print Varnish (OPV) performance program ...................................................................... 30 Suppliers and vendors list ................................................................................................................................... 31 ENWW CA494-18500 iii Appendix B Related documentation ................................................................................................................. 33 Appendix C Glossary ....................................................................................................................................... 34 Terms and acronyms ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendix D Recycling codes ............................................................................................................................ 37 Recycling codes ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Appendix E Service and support ....................................................................................................................... 39 Printing instructions ............................................................................................................................................ 40 iv ENWW 1Overview Who can benefit from reading this document? This document is intended for: ● Owners and operators of HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Digital Presses, with special focus on HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press and HP Indigo WS6000 Series Digital Presses. ● Converters and manufacturers of in-mold labeling products. ● HP Indigo customer support, marketing and sales organizations. This document provides information about the in-mold labeling (IML) process with a special focus on digital printing technology by HP Indigo. ● If you are currently producing in-mold labels using conventional methods (offset, flexo, gravure), this document will inform you about the short-to-medium run, high quality alternative that HP Indigo digital printing is introducing to the IML market. ● If you already own an HP Indigo press and you use it for printing other labels (pressure-sensitive labels, wine labels), you may be interested in learning more about the IML opportunity. ● If you already use your HP Indigo press for printing in-mold labels, this “cookbook” will expand your knowledge and guide you through our recommended materials and processes, throughout IML production. This document will also help you understand and overcome the technical challenges which arise during the very demanding production stages of in-mold labeling. ENWW Who can benefit from reading this document? 1 2 Introduction to in-mold labeling (IML) What is in-mold labeling (IML)? In-mold labeling (IML) is the simultaneous, one-shot molding of a plastic container/part together with an attached label. The label is fused with the plastic container/part to achieve a “no-label” look. In-mold labels can be found on cans, cups and lids available on all supermarket shelves, where they attract consumers to food and non-food products. Why choose in-mold labels (IML) over pressure-sensitive labels (PSL)? The in-mold labels are