Autotype can now offer films for in-mould decoration (IMD - otherwise
known as film insert moulding) to meet the demands of screen printing,
thermoforming, cutting and injection moulding. Typically, for a product
such as the cover for a personal stereo, IMD can reduce the number of
component parts from eleven to just one and the number of process steps
from 12 to eight or less.
The process can make significant improvements to both the aesthetic and
functional characteristics of plastic products, and provides greater
opportunities for product customisation. For example, using silver or
metallic inks and Autotype's Aquatex surface texturing lacquers, you can
produce brushed aluminium and metallic effects for mobile phone cases at
minimal unit cost.
Autoflex IMD films can be shallow or deep drawn, have a hard-coat surface
finish to enhance product durability, or be optically clear.
Additionally, the films are compatible with the latest IMD screen
printing inks and are available with polycarbonate, polyester or PMMA
substrate bases.