Masterpiece Graphix

In the world of retail packaging shelf appeal is crucial in appealing to consumers and increasing revenue. One way to improve retail visibility is to utilize eye-catching graphics on a unique container that stands out from the competitions’ products. In-mold labeling is a way to catch attention on retail shelves as well as a one-pass manufacturing process that can reduce application costs and secondary operations in your digital print manufacturing applications.

In-mold labeling, or IML, is a process in which a label or product decoration is applied when the object is being formed in the mold. A label or appliqué with a heat-activated adhesive is placed in the open mold and held in place during production. The mold is then closed and molten plastic resin is extruded or injected into the mold cavity where it forms the desired shape of the object or container. The hot plastic adheres to the label, embedding the label into the container and making it an integral part of the molded object. The finished appearance of IML creates a seamless, no-label look that could not be achieved with conventional labeling methods. Many IML labels are printed on the same material as the container, like polyethylene, polypropylene or styrene.

In-mold labeling has been popular in Europe for some time. According to a 2004 article, an estimated 85-95% of food applications utilize IML in Europe. In contrast, only 5% of food packaging in North America currently uses IML. However, In-mold labeling is quickly gaining popularity in this market for its physical, visual and economical characteristics. It has been estimated that IML will grow 6%-10% in the North American market annually over the next several years.

Because the in-mold label is a part of the finished object, the label is very durable and almost impossible to remove. In-mold durable labels are resistant to squeezing, stains, peeling, water, chemicals and abrasion: these conditions can destroy a conventional pressure-sensitive label. In some cases an in-mold label can increase the sidewall strength of the finished product.

Another advantage to in-mold labeling is production efficiency; IML eliminates the need for a separate labeling process which can save your company labor and machinery costs when compared to traditional labeling. The efficient process yields a very low material scrap rate; a typical percentage for an IML operation is less than one percent. Some could argue that in-mold labeling saves energy with a one-pass manufacturing process, making it an “eco-friendly” option. In addition, many IML containers are recyclable, and because the IML label is constructed from the same material as the container, the entire package can be reground and recycled without having to remove the label.

IML technology can add a variety of products to your manufacturing capabilities. Many containers can be in-mold labeled like blow-molded bottles, injection-molded open top PP containers and other plastic articles. Durable goods like drinkware, computer cases, cell phones, and sporting equipment can also be manufactured using an in-mold process.

The possibilities for IML applications are endless, and can be applied to many industries your company may already serve. In-mold labeling is an excellent option for beverage bottles, food containers, liquid detergents, personal care, household cleaners, automotive products, agricultural and garden products, and even durable goods production. IML can also be found in many toy and instructional labeling applications and is sometimes referred to as in-mold decorating (IMD) in the manufacturing realm.

Digital print technology in conjunction with in-mold labeling can be used to create vibrant, colorful packaging that is visually appealing on store shelves. HP Indigo ink chemistry makes it an ideal option for IML print jobs. Digital print’s variable data technology can be utilized to create custom, market-specific products that will appeal to each customer segment.

Masterpiece Graphix currently carries many IML-ready substrates for your digital press. We offer thermo-formable digital substrates like polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene, PET, HDPE, PolyArt®, and other polyolefin substrates that are ideal for IML applications. If you already have a substrate in mind, MGX can help you make it IML-ready. Masterpiece Graphix serves other in-mold label printers in the manufacturing industry and can offer guidance and suggestions in substrates and applications. For more information on the in-mold labeling industry, please visit the In-Mold Decoration Association (IMDA) website. To learn more about the multitude of digital in-mold labeling options available through MGX, please contact your MGX sales rep.

Recently it has come to our attention that there are a few rumors making the rounds about Masterpiece Graphix. As a digital treatment center, we take great pride in our reputation and want to dispel any misconceptions about our business. Below are the actual facts about Masterpiece Graphix, so don’t believe any misinformation to the contrary!

MGX Offers More Than Just HP Indigo Roll Materials: Masterpiece Graphix has been coating HP Indigo roll materials for over a decade. However, MGX is also now offering sheet materials for HP Indigo presses. We keep many stocked sheet material solutions in-house, ready to order and run on your HP Indigo sheet press. In addition, MGX also offers material solutions for the EFI Jetrion industrial label roll press, as well as compatible substrates for dry toner sheet presses like the Xerox iGen and Kodak NexPress. We are continuously adding new digital press technologies to our list of coating capabilities, so if a customer brings a desired material/digital press combination to us, we can help formulate a coating solution.

MGX is More Than Just a “Custom House”: Masterpiece offers turnkey, ready-to-run material solutions for all available HP Indigo press models. Since we’ve successfully coated over 800 different facestock/adhesive combinations for the HP Indigo, we are confident that we can offer HP Indigo-compatible substrates that will run flawlessly the first time. In addition, MGX offers RIT-certified material solutions for many press models like the WS6000. Certification means that the material has been thoroughly tested by the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Printing Applications Laboratory to run trouble-free on a particular HP Indigo model.

MGX Offers Toll Coating, And More: Masterpiece Graphix can ship you digitally-coated, ready-to-print stock from nearly every industry supplier. Of course, you can always ship your desired material to us for coating, but it’s not necessary. Substrates can be ordered directly from us and quickly shipped to you once the material has been coated. Many materials arrive at your location six business days after your order.

MGX Carries Material Mainstays As Well As Exotic Substrates: In fact, MGX carries ALL the industry mainstays like semigloss and BOPP, as well as the tricky, hard to coat substrates. Masterpiece Graphix is essentially a one-stop-shop for Indigo-compatible materials, offering everything from papers to plastics, pressure-sensitives to polycarbonate. No matter the material you desire, MGX has the material you need, at competitive prices. More on this below…

MGX Offers Competitive Pricing on Industry Mainstays: MGX can offer excellent pricing on all the digital material you need, including industry staples like papers and films. You can rely on MGX to provide competitive pricing on all of your needed materials, not just the exotic, hard-to-find stocks. Please don’t hesitate to contact MGX for pricing on any material; we will get it to you quickly, and can answer any questions you have on a particular material. Ordering materials from MGX cuts your bottom line in other ways: running MGX substrates provide increased pip and blanket life on your machine, which in turn lowers your downtime and maintenance costs. Our materials also offer the longest shelf life in the industry.

MGX Provides Customized Stocking Solutions For Your Company: MGX can create a custom stocking option to fit your business model. Substrates can be ordered from us directly, or materials can be drop-shipped to us for coating. If you plan to regularly order the same material, MGX can help you develop a custom stocking solution, ensuring that you always have digital-ready material in-house, the way you want them.

Special pricing is available on HP Indigo-compatible sheet materials. Click a the product ID number to download a PDF spec sheet for that material. Please contact your MGX sales rep for pricing and additional information on these sheet products.

MGX-1001: MGX Digital PSA 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90#

MGX-1005: MGX Digital PSA 3.25 mil Clear Vinyl/Perm/90#

MGX-1007: MGX Digital PSA 3.25 mil Clear Vinyl/Rem/90#

MGX-1025: MGX Digital PSA 2 mil Bright Gold PET/Perm/90#

MGX-1029: Masterpiece Premium .002 PSA White PET/Perm/90#

MGX-1035: Masterpiece Premium .002 PSA Brushed Silver PET/Perm/90#

MGX-1037: Masterpiece Premium .002 PSA Matte Silver PET/Perm/90#

MGX-1160: 10 pt Fluorescent Green Cardstock

Not all label applications are created equal. Durable goods labeling applications require material that withstands harsh environmental and usage stresses. Some durable labels are imperative to the safe operation of the product, listing important warnings and use instructions. Since many of these labels are used in industrial or hazardous material settings, it is important that the substrates used to construct these labels holds up to the rigorous environment, and are legible for the lifespan of the product.

If you need a durable label to protect your brand identity as well as your product’s users, look no further than Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90# (MGX-1009). This material is HP Indigo-Certified by the Rochester Institute of Technology for use on the HP Indigo 5000/5500, and passed the certification test with three stars, the highest possible rating.

Constructed with a high quality white vinyl face sheet and a superior permanent acrylic adhesive, MGX Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm /90# liner provides a permanent bond to a wide range of surfaces, including low and high surface energy plastics, painted metal, powder coat paint and polycarbonate. The adhesive, developed to provide high tack and medium shear, has good chemical resistance and resists cold flow and ooze. The material is easy to apply, providing superior printability. The substrate is also surprisingly durable, resisting abrasion that occurs during assembly, shipment, and everyday use. Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90# Liner is UV-resistant, suitable for use indoors or outdoors. The base material used in the material is UL recognized under UL-969 UL File NO. PGGU2.MH10170 Marking and Labeling System Materials – Component.

For more information on Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90#, download the product spec sheet. For additional information about this product as well as other MGX pressure-sensitive film solutions for your durable label needs, please contact your MGX sales rep.