ColorGuard Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
IMD (In-Mold Decoration) Ink Printing Guide - 2021 Edition
This comprehensive technical guide details the precise printing structures, formulations, mesh counts, and baking conditions for various IMD (In-Mold Decoration) and IMR (In-Mold Roller) injection molding processes.
1. Standard IMD Ink Process (IMD-3000 Series)
| Printing Layer | Ink Model & Series | Formulation (Ink / Hardener / Thinner) | Mesh Count | Baking Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror Silver LOGO | JM-3000B Mirror Silver | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-30) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Fine Text, Lines & Halftones (Solid Colors) | IMD-3000 Standard / NH-G High Opacity / HJ-679 Slow-Dry White | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-30) | 250-350 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Transparent / Translucent Windows | IMD-3000 (NH-903 Clear + NH-T Transparent Series) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-30) | 300-380 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Silver Main Color (Metallic Finish) | IMD-3000 (NH-903 Clear + Standard/Transparent Colors + F-Silver Powder) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Black & White Main Color | IMD-3000 (NH-102 White, HJ-675 Dense White, NH-702 Black, NH-704 Insulating Black) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Backing / Cover Layer (B/W/Gray) | IMD-3000 (100 Backing White, 700 Backing Black, 800 Anti-Washout Clear) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| IMD Binder / Adhesive (1-Component) | IMD-A10, IMD-A20 (High Heat/Humidity), or IMD-818 (Broad Temp range) | Direct use (or trace IM-20 thinner) | 200 | 90°C / 60 min |
*Note: For edge-wrapping with Mirror Silver, add 10% C-2 Varnish to enhance edge adhesion. For high-impact resin injection, substitute NH-903 Clear with 902A Clear for the backing layer.
2. High-Stretch / Elongation Process (IMD-1300 Series)
Recommended when deep-draw thermoforming or extreme stretching is required during the IMD process.
| Printing Layer | Ink Model & Series | Formulation (Ink / Hardener / Thinner) | Mesh Count | Baking Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Main Color | IMD-1300 (NH-901 Clear + Colors + Silver/Pearl Powder) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Black, White & Color Main Layer | IMD-1300 (NH-103 Dense White, NH-704/706 Insulating Black, Standard Colors) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 200-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
| Backing / Cover Layer | IMD-1300 (NH-102 White, NH-704 Black, NH-901 Clear) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / Moderate (IM-20) | 250-300 | 90°C / 10 min |
Critical Application Note: IMD-1300 is designed exclusively for PET films. It must not be printed directly onto UV-brushed films or placed in direct contact with UV varnishes, as this will severely compromise adhesion. When printing dead-front hidden windows with metallic backgrounds, apply a full layer of IMD-903 clear coat over the semi-transparent metallic color before printing the background border to prevent color bleeding.
3. Specialty Effects & Functional Processes
UV Brushed Effect
| HF-UV-TL (900 3D Clear) | 100 parts UV Ink / 5 parts UV-TL Thinner. Mesh: 200-420. Cure: 220-400 mJ UV energy. |
|---|
Ultra-Bright Electroplating Silver & Dead-Front Mirrors
| High-Gloss Electroplating Silver | IMD-100 Electroplating Silver (901/902 Clear + PT-522 Transparent Paste + F-Silver). 100 / 10 (B-11 Hardener). Mesh: 250-300. |
|---|---|
| Dead-Front Semi-Transparent Mirror (Hidden Window) | JM-IMD Mirror Silver + 906 Clear + PT-522 + Nanoscale Transparent Paste. Mix: 100 Ink / 1 part E-401 Additive / 5 parts B-11 Hardener. Mesh: 200-300. |
Electroplated Substrates (Indium Tin Coating)
| Sequence | Ink Layer | Formulation (Ink / Hardener / Additive / Thinner) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Pass | HJ-DM Plating Cover Varnish | 100 / 10 (B-11) / 3 (E-60B Additive) / Moderate IM-20 |
| 2nd & 3rd Pass | IM-3000 (NH-702 Special Black) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / 3 (E-60B Additive) / Moderate IM-20 |
| 4th Pass | IM-3000 (NH-903 Clear Varnish) | 100 / 10 (B-11) / 3 (E-60B Additive) / Moderate IM-20 |
| 5th Pass (Final) | IMD-A10 Binder / Adhesive | Bake at 90°C for 60 minutes |
PC (Polycarbonate) Injection Molding
| Backing Layer | IMD-1400 (NH-102 White / NH-702 Black / NH-901 Clear). Mix: 100 Ink / 20 Hardener. Bake 90°C/10 min. (Extend baking time by 10 mins for every extra clear coat layer applied). |
|---|---|
| PC Adhesive | HF-IMD-PC-87 Binder. Use directly. Mesh: 200. Bake at 90°C for 90 minutes. |
4. Technical Guidelines & Hardener Ratios
- Optimized Hardener Ratios (IMD-3000 & IMD-1300): For White or white-based pastel colors (light gray, light pink), add 10% hardener. For all other colors (Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Clear Varnish), add 15% hardener. This discrepancy accounts for the inherently lower resin content in white ink formulations.
- Flexibility Enhancement: To further improve the flexibility and elongation of IMD-3000 inks, replace the standard B-11 hardener with B-040 Hardener (maintaining the same ratio).
- Halogen-Free Requirements: A dedicated halogen-free series (HF-IMD) is available upon request. (Note: Standard IMD binders contain halogens).
- Offset to Screen Printing: When screen printing over an offset printed layer, apply HJ-309 Offset Cover Varnish first (100 ink / 10 hardener) to solve inter-layer adhesion issues.
Important Disclaimer: The technical information, processes, and guidance provided herein are intended as a reference and do not constitute a guaranteed warranty. The IMD/IMR injection molding process involves extreme temperatures and pressures. Users must rigorously test the ink formulations, binders, and baking schedules on their specific substrates and injection molds to verify performance before initiating mass production. We assume no liability for failures caused by untested or improper applications.
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