One material for label and cup
On a PP cup the label is made of PP too, so the pack does not have to be separated for recycling.
Printed labels
In-mould labels (IML) for cups, tubs and cans
The printed label is already in the mould and becomes part of the pack during forming.
Benefits for your application
The key selection benefits at a glance.
No edge that can lift
The label is bonded to the container wall. Condensation, chilling and washing find no adhesive edge to attack.
Hard to swap
A moulded-in label cannot be peeled off and replaced by another without damaging the container.
No separate labelling step
The pack leaves the moulding machine fully decorated, even with many varieties.
Product
In-mould labels from Hummel Print
In-mould labels are not applied to a finished container. They sit in the mould before forming, the plastic is added, and once everything has cooled the decoration and the container are a single part. For the brand that creates a large continuous surface without a label edge. Hummel Print prints the artwork on the film, and the packaging manufacturer forms the pack.
- Printing: up to eight colours plus spot colours and opaque white, for photographic artwork, fine type and large colour areas
- Film: in-mould labels are usually made of PP, smooth or textured, white or transparent
- Contour: die-cut to the flat pattern of your container, including lids and curves
- Artwork: a separate design for each variety, size or product line
- Supply: as a die-cut stack that a robot places in the mould one by one, or on the roll; we agree film and supply format with your packaging manufacturer
Process
How an in-mould pack is made
The label is a printed plastic film that matches the material of the pack. A handling system places it in the open mould. The plastic is then injected, blown or thermoformed, and film and moulded part bond under heat and pressure.
What you see on the finished container is therefore not an applied surface but the container wall itself. Front, back and curve can carry one continuous design, and the lid can be included in the same image.
Forming process
Which forming process suits the pack?
The packaging manufacturer chooses the process based on container shape, plastic and volume. The label's material and print build depend on it, which is why the manufacturer's details belong in the first conversation.
| Forming process | Typical containers | What it means for the label |
|---|---|---|
| Injection moulding | cups, trays, tubs, cans and lids | self-supporting film that bonds with the part during injection |
| Blow moulding | bottles and jerrycans | a heat-activated back layer is common |
| Thermoforming | thin-walled cups and trays | the film has to withstand heating and forming |
Applications
For these packs and products
For dairy, ice cream and delicatessen, the label sits on the outside of the container wall. Food packaging must meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 as a whole. Which inks and which varnish are suitable is clarified at the start with you and the packaging manufacturer.
- Ice cream: tubs and family packs, the classic use of in-mould
- Dairy and delicatessen: cups and trays for yoghurt, cream cheese, salads and spreads
- Edible fats and pet food: cans and tubs with a large design area
- Cosmetics and personal care: plastic jars and pots
- Chemicals and agriculture: jerrycans and tubs for crop protection, cleaning agents and paints
- Household: cans and lids for detergents, tabs and storage
Collaboration
Who does what in the project
An in-mould project has three parties. The brand owner brings the design, varieties and requirements from filling and use. The packaging manufacturer defines plastic, tool and forming process and places the label in the mould. Hummel Print takes care of artwork checks, colour build, film to the approved specification, printing and die-cutting.
At the end there is a moulding trial at the packaging manufacturer, in which the printed label is run in the real tool. Only this trial shows whether position, bond and appearance are right on the finished container.
Alternatives
When in-mould is not the right format
If the decoration is to be applied to the finished container, a no-label-look label with transparent film creates a similarly edgeless impression. For plastic cans and lids, can labels work on the finished container. For dairy and delicatessen, the mandatory information from the food label belongs in the planning, and where a container is wrapped rather than moulded, sleeves and wrap-around bands are the better format.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about selection
01What are in-mould labels?
In-mould labels are printed plastic films that are placed in the tool before forming. During injection moulding, blow moulding or thermoforming they bond with the plastic. The decoration is then part of the pack and is not applied afterwards.
02How does in-mould differ from self-adhesive labels?
A self-adhesive label is stuck onto a finished container and has a visible edge. An in-mould label is created in the same step as the container and lies within the container wall. This allows larger continuous design areas, and a separate labelling step is no longer needed.
03What are in-mould labels made of?
Usually PP film, because most IML packs are also moulded from PP. The film comes smooth or textured, opaque white or transparent. Which film fits depends on the forming process and the container's plastic.
04Which designs are possible?
Photographic artwork, fine type and strong colour areas are possible, as are white and transparent versions and matt and gloss effects. Up to eight colours with spot colours and opaque white are possible. Each variety can have its own design.
05Can barcodes or QR codes be included?
Codes can be planned into the design. How well they scan after forming depends on the position, size, curvature and surface of the container. Code areas therefore belong in the design and the moulding trial early on.
06Which documents help with the first enquiry?
Useful are the pack type, a drawing or sample of the container, the planned forming process, the name of the packaging manufacturer and details on the number of designs and the volume. If anything is missing, it can be clarified in conversation.
More products
Related labels
Quality you can verify
Our certifications & partnerships
- EcoVadisSilver rating · Top 15% (September 2026)
- ClimatePartnerClimate contribution available per order
- ISO 9001Quality management
- ISO 14001:2015Environmental management (QAS International) · Certificate no. GMEN1114
- VskE memberlabels association
- FSC® C006747Responsible forestry
- EN 16247-1Energy audit
Contact
Set up your in-mould project together with us
Talk to us about the container, the planned forming process, the packaging manufacturer, the desired design and the volume. This sets the route to the first sample and the moulding trial.
Contact form
We will get back to you within one business day.