IMG — In-Mold Graining & Vacuum Lamination.
In-Mold Graining (IMG) is a vacuum lamination process that wraps artificial leather, TPO, PVC, or fabric onto injection-molded substrates. It is the industry standard for automotive interior trim — delivering premium soft-touch surfaces on door panels, instrument panels, armrests, and center consoles.
What is IMG thermoforming?
IMG (In-Mold Graining) is a vacuum lamination process where a heated skin material — typically artificial leather, TPO (thermoplastic olefin), PVC, or fabric — is vacuum-formed directly onto a rigid substrate inside a sealed chamber. The result is a seamless, wrinkle-free surface with a premium soft-touch feel, grain texture, and consistent appearance across every part.
The process begins by placing the injection-molded substrate (typically ABS or PP) onto a heated platen inside a vacuum chamber. The skin material — pre-coated with adhesive — is clamped above the substrate. The chamber is sealed and evacuated, the skin is heated by infrared heaters until pliable, and then the substrate is raised into the skin. Vacuum from below and atmospheric or compressed air from above press the skin tightly onto every contour of the substrate, bonding it permanently.
IMG is the preferred process for automotive OEMs worldwide because it produces consistent, high-quality interior surfaces at production volumes. It eliminates manual wrapping, reduces labor costs, and ensures every part meets the tight dimensional and appearance tolerances required by automotive quality standards.
MC-IMG Series — Vacuum Lamination.
Machinecraft's MC-IMG series is India's first Made-in-India IMG thermoforming machine. Designed for automotive interior trim production, it delivers the same vacuum lamination capability as imported machines at a competitive price point with local engineering support.
MC-IMG-1350
Vacuum lamination machine with 1350mm × 650mm platen size, designed for automotive door panels, instrument panels, and interior trim components. Features dual-zone infrared heating, programmable vacuum sequencing, and servo-driven platen movement.
Key Specifications
How does the IMG vacuum lamination process work?
The IMG process uses a sealed vacuum chamber to laminate a heated skin material onto a rigid substrate — producing a seamless, wrinkle-free surface finish in a single automated cycle.
Substrate Loading
The injection-molded substrate (ABS, PP, or composite) is placed on the lower platen. Adhesive is pre-applied to the substrate surface or the back of the skin material.
Skin Material Clamping
The skin material (artificial leather, TPO, PVC, or fabric) is clamped in a frame above the substrate. The material is positioned to ensure full coverage of the substrate surface.
Chamber Sealed & Evacuated
The upper chamber lowers to seal the forming area. Both upper and lower chambers are evacuated to remove air between the skin and substrate, ensuring void-free bonding.
Infrared Heating
Dual-zone infrared heaters soften the skin material to its forming temperature. Zone control ensures uniform heating across the full platen area for consistent lamination quality.
Vacuum Lamination
The lower platen rises to press the substrate into the softened skin. Atmospheric or compressed air is released into the upper chamber, forcing the skin to wrap tightly around every contour of the substrate and bond permanently.
Cooling, Trimming & Removal
The laminated part cools under controlled conditions. The chamber opens, the finished part is removed, and excess skin material is trimmed to final dimensions.
IMG vacuum lamination vs manual wrapping
IMG replaces labor-intensive manual leather wrapping with an automated, repeatable process — delivering consistent quality at higher throughput with lower per-part cost.
| Factor | Manual Wrapping | IMG Vacuum Lamination |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Operator-dependent, variable | Automated, repeatable every cycle |
| Cycle Time | 10-30 minutes per part | 2-5 minutes per part |
| Labor Required | Skilled manual operators | 1 operator per machine |
| Wrinkle Risk | High on complex shapes | Eliminated by vacuum pressure |
| Adhesive Control | Manual application, variable | Pre-applied, uniform coverage |
| Scrap Rate | 5-15% typical | Under 2% typical |
| Scalability | Limited by workforce | Scales with machine capacity |
What applications use IMG thermoforming?
IMG is the standard process for automotive interior trim production — used by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers worldwide for door panels, instrument panels, armrests, center consoles, and any interior surface requiring a premium soft-touch finish.
Automotive Door Panels
Artificial leather or TPO lamination onto injection-molded door panel substrates with integrated armrest and map pocket areas
Instrument Panels
Soft-touch skin lamination on dashboard components with complex 3D geometry, air vent surrounds, and display bezels
Armrests & Center Consoles
Premium leather-look finish on armrest substrates, center console lids, and storage compartment covers
Pillar Trim & Headliners
Fabric or TPO lamination on A/B/C pillar trims and headliner substrates for uniform interior appearance
Furniture & Seating
Leather or fabric lamination on chair components, office furniture panels, and ergonomic seating elements
Consumer Products
Premium surface finish on luggage shells, electronic device housings, and consumer product enclosures
Need Vacuum Lamination Capability?
Tell us about your substrate, skin material, part dimensions, and production volume. Our engineering team will recommend the right MC-IMG configuration for your application.