In-Mould Labels (IML) - Manufactured in India
TopGuard is an in-mould label manufacturer in Kundli, Sonipat. The label becomes the container: placed in the mould before injection, fused into the wall under heat and pressure, and impossible to peel.
What an in-mould label manufacturer actually supplies
An in-mould label is a pre-printed polypropylene film placed inside the mould cavity before the plastic is injected. Under heat and pressure the label fuses with the molten polymer and becomes a permanent part of the container wall.
Choosing an in-mould label manufacturer who extrudes its own IML film is what keeps shade and thickness steady between orders. The result is a single-material, single-piece container. No adhesive. No secondary labelling operation. No label that lifts at the corner after three months in a warehouse.
Why moulders change their in-mould label manufacturer
Permanent decoration
The label cannot peel, bubble, curl or scratch off, because there is no separate layer to peel. It survives moisture, refrigeration, oil and handling.
Single-stream recycling
IML film is PP and your container is PP, so the decorated container goes into one recycling stream - no label-separation step and no contamination penalty.
Photographic print quality
Rotogravure holds sharper images, deeper solids and finer text than screen printing or dry-offset can manage on a curved surface.
Lower cost per unit at scale
Decoration happens inside the moulding cycle, which is the core economic argument for in mould labelling. You remove the labelling machine, the labour on that line, the adhesive, and the rejection rate that comes with post-mould labelling.
Faster SKU changeovers
Change the label stack, change the SKU. No re-tooling and no ink change on the line.
TopGuard in-mould label specifications
- Base materialPolypropylene - cavitated, clear or white
- Thickness[INSERT YOUR RANGE] micron
- PrintingRotogravure up to 6 colours; 8-colour UV flexo (HSR-650)
- FinishesGloss, matte, soft-touch, metallised
- ProcessesInjection moulding, thermoforming
- Anti-staticTreated for reliable robot pick-and-place
- Die-cuttingCustom shapes to your mould cavity profile
- MOQ[INSERT]
- Lead time[INSERT]
Where in mould labelling is used
- Food packaging - ice cream tubs, dairy cups, ghee and butter containers
- Paints and coatings - paint pails, primer buckets, putty containers
- Lubricants and chemicals - oil bottles, grease containers, agrochemical packs
- Household and personal care - detergent tubs, cosmetic jars, hair-care containers
- Thin-wall packaging - takeaway containers, deli tubs
- Industrial - crates, caps, closures and moulded parts
Looking for a blow mould label instead?
Blow moulding needs a different film with a heat-seal layer, because the parison contacts the label at much lower pressure. We supply that separately - see our Blow Mould Label (BML) range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IML and a normal label?
A normal label is applied to a finished container with adhesive. An in-mould label is placed inside the mould before moulding and fuses with the plastic, becoming part of the container wall. It cannot be peeled off.
Which moulding processes does TopGuard IML suit?
Injection moulding and thermoforming. Blow moulding needs a different film construction with a heat-seal layer, which we supply separately as our Blow Mould Label range.
Are in-mould labels recyclable?
Yes. IML labels are polypropylene, the same material as most containers, so the decorated container recycles as a single material stream with no label-separation step.
Does IML increase the moulding cycle time?
Marginally, depending on the robot and mould setup, but it removes the entire post-mould labelling operation, so total throughput per SKU typically improves.
Can I get my own artwork printed?
Yes. TopGuard prints fully custom artwork and also offers a ready design library for PP plates. Send your artwork and container drawing and we will advise on die profile and film grade.
What is the minimum order quantity for IML?
MOQ depends on artwork, size and colour count. Contact TopGuard with your container specification for exact figures.