IMD Process Steps: From Cutting and Printing to Forming, Trimming and Molding

IMD decorates the outer surface of a plastic part by placing a film inside the mold. It gives a clean, attractive surface, durable sharp printing and 3D graphics. The complete sequence is:

The nine IMD steps

1. Cutting: cut film from the roll into sheets of the designed size.
2. Pre-shrinking: heat the sheets in an oven before printing to minimize later shrinkage.
3. Flat printing: make screens and print logos and text on the sheets.
4. Ink curing: dry the printed sheets in an oven so the ink cures fully and solvents evaporate.
5. Protective film: apply single or double protective film so punching does not scratch the print.
6. Registration holes: punch accurate holes for trimming and thermoforming.
7. Thermoforming (high pressure or copper mold): heat the printed film and form it with a high-pressure machine or a copper mold; forming-mold design is critical.
8. Trimming: cut away the waste with an accurate trim die.
9. Injection molding: place the formed film on the cavity side and mold the IMD part.

Practical tip

For simple IMD shapes, the original article recommends die-cutting the outline first to save film.

Step 7 can use hot presses such as the IMD phone case hot press; step 8 the IMD/IML part die-cutting machine. Who does what: IMD/IML thermoforming machines: process and applications.