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Lextra In Mold Decoration is a process that uses Lextra Laminates in combination with injection molding of a three-dimensional part (usually plastic) to create a molded part coated with Lextra High Performance Flocked Graphics.

In other words, Lextra In Mold Decoration can add a permanent, soft, pleasing, textile-like multicolor fiber surface to a three-dimensional molded object, normally made from plastic resin. Imagine: a cell phone that looks—and feels—like it’s made from denim!

In Mold Decoration essentially includes these steps:

• Prepare decorative in mold decoration which includes a Graphic Design plus a Forming Film. Normally Graphic Designs are created by printing ink onto the “second surface” of a clear Forming Film—such as a membrane switch—so the Graphics may be seen through the Film. Lextra however is applied to the “first surface” of the Forming Film so it is the surface against the molding die (also called “tool”) and the surface that will ultimately be touched on the final product
• Pre-form the in mold decoration to precisely fit into the molding tool; may be produced in sheets with multiple parts, which may then be individually cut out (“trimmed”) with precision cutting dies
• Load formed, cut-out in mold decoration into mold—may be done by hand or with use of robots
• Cycle molding press—to inject plastic resin into die to form the part, with resin forming a strong melt bond onto compatible Forming Film side of the in mold decoration
• Part is ejected from molding die—with ‘first surface’ now decorated with Lextra Flocked Graphics