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What is IMDA?
Real Experts. Real Answers. Real Value.
The In-Mold Decorating Association is an organization that includes molders, printers, material suppliers and equipment manufacturers who are committed to the development and growth of in-mold decorated products, technologies and markets.
IMDA enhances and supports your business by raising the level of awareness and acceptance of in-mold decorated durable products and in-mold labeled packaging by OEMs, brand owners and marketers. IMDA serves your business by integrating the interests of the entire IML and IMD supply chain through its promotional and educational programs.
The IMDA Team
Dianna Brodine
Managing Director
Dianna Brodine has been involved with the plastics industry for more than 15 years, covering tool building, injection molding, decorating processes and more.
Jeff Peterson
Executive Director
Jeff Peterson has more than 20 years of experience in the plastics industry, with an emphasis on decorating and assembly processes and including work with SPE’s Decorating & Assembly Division.
IMDA Board of Directors
The IMDA Board of Directors is a group of industry volunteers working to advance the understanding and use of in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD) and in-mold electronics (IME). Their time and dedication is greatly appreciated.
President: Bob Travis, InkWorks Printing
Vice President: Joe Hirtzer, Global Packaging
Treasurer: Mike Sansoucy, ARBURG
Tim Curnutt, Distinctive Plastics
Taras Konowal, Muller Technology
Mike Licata, YUPO
Matt Membrino, Netstal Machinery
Jim Naatz, Sussex IM
Jordan Robertson, StackTeck Systems Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions
why does a trade association like IMDA exist?
Manufacturers of plastic products long accustomed to pressure sensitive or other forms of post-mold decoration are either unaware of the benefits of IML/IMD or consider it to be too complicated and/or too expensive. One of the primary goals of IMDA is to help OEMs and marketers understand that in-mold decoration produces a better product at lower costs.
What is the history of the imda?
In 2005, the In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) was incorporated in Arizona, where Ron and Myra Schultz were living at the time. Schultz is a chemist with a long history in the in-mold labeling industry and, as the decorating technology gained popularity among brand owners and converters, he answered a growing call for a formal organization. One of organization's first steps was establishing an awards competition in 2007, and the first IMDA Symposium followed in 2013 in Lowell, Massachusetts, with the University of Massachusetts plastics group. In December of 2020, Ron Schultz retired as executive director of the association. The IMDA Board of Directors appointed a new management team, led by Jeff Peterson and Dianna Brodine.
what value does imda provide to the industry?
In-mold labeling and decorating is a multi-discipline industry that includes substrate, resin and ink suppliers; printers and converters; injection and blow molders; molding machine, mold and robotics manufacturers; and many others who make up the unique IML/IMD value chain. IMDA is a broadly focused organization made up of people and companies who understand the cooperative efforts needed to make all these disciplines work together for successful IML/IMD projects.
what value does imda provide to my company?
From discounts that impact the bottom line to knowledge sharing and industry resources, the IMDA is committed to providing direct benefits to each and every member - whether brand owners, label printers, tool builders, molders, industry suppliers or academic institutions.
why should i join?
IMDA brings together the entire IML/IMD/IME supply and value chain in a single organization. Working together strengthens the industry while also increasing your company's ability to find resources, increase technical knowledge and gain exposure to new business opportunities. In addition, the association provides tangible benefits that can save your company money and improve operations.
IMDA COMMITTEES
Committees are the engine that powers an associations like IMDA. Members are encouraged to join and participate in one or two committees in areas of interest.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Programs:
Technical Guidelines
New Technology Report
Technical Guidelines
New Technology Report
Tasks:
Prepare/maintain summaries of technical guidelines
Develop additional technical guidelines
IML/IMD sustainability initiative
First new technology report
Build/maintain IMDA template for guidelines
Prepare/maintain summaries of technical guidelines
Develop additional technical guidelines
IML/IMD sustainability initiative
First new technology report
Build/maintain IMDA template for guidelines
Members:
Joe Hirtzer, Global Packaging
Jordan Robertson, StackTeck
Taras Konowal, MULLER Technology
Tricia Sime, Inland
Joe Hirtzer, Global Packaging
Jordan Robertson, StackTeck
Taras Konowal, MULLER Technology
Tricia Sime, Inland
MARKETING & TRADESHOW COMMITTEE
Programs:
Tradeshows
Magazine Articles Sponsorship Promotion
Sustaining and Gold Sponsors
Tasks:
Sponsorship campaign
Tradeshow booth operations
Pack Expo – Yearly
NPE – Every 3 years
Members:
Jon Knight, Innovia
Jim Naatz, Sussex IM
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Programs:
New Member Recruitment
Annual Meeting
Tasks:
Formulate membership promotion strategy
Members:
Joe Hirtzer, Global Packaging
Tom Towel, General Press
Education & Conferences Committee
Program:
Conferences/Symposiums
Case Studies
Market Studies
Program for Product Design
Tasks:
Conferences/Symposiums organization
Exhibit Hall with Recruitment of exhibitors
Workshop titles
Recruitment of workshop leaders, speakers and keynote speakers
On-line IML & IMD tutorials
Members:
Tim Curnutt, Distinctive Plastics
Joh Knight, Innovia
Bob Travis, InkWorks Printing
IMDA Awards Committee
Programs:
Awards competition preparation
Tasks:
Review of Award Categories
Members:
Joe Hirtzer, Global Packaging
Jordan Robertson, StackTeck
Taras Konowal, MULLER Technology
Reach Our Audience
Advertisement Opportunities
Advertise in Plastics Decorating
This quarterly print and digital magazine reaches a targeted plastics decorating and assembly audience through its print, digital and mobile editions.
- Distributed to 10,500 industry professionals each quarter.
- Free links to advertisers’ websites through the digital editions, with 12,300 page views per month.
- Bonus distribution at tradeshows and conferences throughout the year.
Each magazine is packed with information on decorating techniques for plastics, including pad printing, digital printing, hot stamping, heat transfer, in-mold processes and laser marking. Assembly processes are covered, too, with detailed information on adhesives, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, surface treatment and robotics.
Advertise in The In-Mold Messenger
This quarterly enewsletter is sent to more than 1,500 targeted IML/IMD industry members – brand owners, label printers, plastics molders, tool builders and more.
By advertising in the enewsletter, your company gains visibility to a worldwide in-mold audience. Position yourself as a market leader across all aspects of the supply chain. Launching a new product? This is an easy way to notify the IML/IMD community.
become an imda sponsor
Host a webinar
Webinars are a good way to share knowledge about processes and technology with the IMDA audience. Webinars are promoted to the entire IMDA email list and advertised on the IMDA website. Webinars are recorded and hosted on the IMDA site for one full year from the original air date.