Method of fabricating in-mold graphics

摘要

A method for fabricating an in-mold graphics surface (16). A layer of an etchable material(12) is molded on a contrasting surface (13). The layer is then etched to expose the contrasting surface and produce the in-mold graphics surface. In another embodiment, a layer of hardcoat material (11) is molded over the etchable layer. The etching is accomplished by using a laser beam to selectively etch the etchable layer, while not etching the contrasting surface. The hardcoat layer (11), the etchable layer (12), and the contrasting surface (13) can be molded to a larger part (14) during an injection molding process. The graphic desing is later etched in the part to produce a customized design.