Edited by Erin La Row and Dianna Brodine, Plastics Decorating When picturing a towel dispenser found in a public restroom, the image that comes to mind likely is a gray or white metal box – functional, but not exactly stylish. Kimberly-Clark wanted to change that, using in-mold decorating techniques to bring design elements to a product found in washrooms around the … [Read more...] about Kimberly-Clark Elevates Towel Dispensers from Ordinary to High Design
Market Trends
The Future of the Plastics Marketplace for Molding and Decorating
By Cara Walton, director of market intelligence, Harbour Results, Inc. It’s been an interesting three years for the manufacturing industry. In 2020, we dealt with COVID-19, but, together, we learned what to do and what not to do. And despite starts and stops, ups and downs, the plastics industry persevered. Then, 2021 brought a year of unprecedented high demand for durable … [Read more...] about The Future of the Plastics Marketplace for Molding and Decorating
Understanding Color in Decorated Plastics
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC One of the primary purposes of decorating processes is to impart color to the object being decorated. Color is used to create beauty, to increase perceived value, to convey information and to define brand character. Color is only one aspect of a part’s appearance. Appearance is a combination of color, gloss, shape, geometry and … [Read more...] about Understanding Color in Decorated Plastics
Adding Value Through Soft-Feel and Tactile Decoration
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC When considering decorated plastic, the appearance of the part or product comes to mind first. Fortunately, plastic decoration can provide more than visual properties alone. It often is desirable that the finished part also have some level of tactile performance as well. Tactile surfaces are used to replicate the surface … [Read more...] about Adding Value Through Soft-Feel and Tactile Decoration
What is Plastic Decorating?
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC A working definition for Plastic Decorating could be: The application of in-mold and post-injection molding materials and process to achieve (or impart) aesthetic, performance or functional properties to the finished part. This, of course, also includes plastic formed in other processes and gives quite a range of options. The … [Read more...] about What is Plastic Decorating?