In-depth understanding of the imd process of the mobile phone case industry

IMD is divided into IML and IMR. The biggest difference between these two processes is whether there is a transparent protective film on the surface of the product.

Chinese name of IML: In-mold insert extrusion, which is to apply color printing, molding, punching and other processes on the surface of the film, and finally form the injection mold simultaneously with the plastic.

The most notable feature is: the surface is a hardened transparent film, the middle is a printed pattern layer, and the back is a plastic layer. Because the ink is embedded in the middle, the product can prevent the surface from being scratched and abrasion-resistant. Keep the color vivid and not easy to fade for a long time.

The Chinese name of IMR: In-mold transfer

This process is to print the pattern on the film, and the film is attached to the mold cavity through the film feeder for extrusion. After the extrusion, the patterned ink layer is separated from the film, and the ink layer remains on the plastic part. The plastic part with decorative patterns on the surface is obtained. There is no transparent protective film on the surface of the final product, and the film is only a carrier in the production process. But the advantage of IMR lies in the high degree of automation during production and the low cost of mass production. Disadvantages of IMR: The printed pattern layer is on the surface of the product, and the thickness is only a few microns. After the product is used for a period of time, the printed pattern layer is easily worn away, and it is also easy to fade, resulting in an unsightly surface. In addition, the long development cycle of new products, high development costs, and the inability to achieve flexible changes in pattern colors in small batches are also weaknesses that the IMR process cannot overcome.