In-Mold Decorating Association
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a U.S. trade association founded in 2005 that convenes molders, label printers, ink and substrate suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and brand owners across the global in-mold labeling, decorating, and electronics industries through membership services, events, and education.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersTopeka, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What In-Mold Decorating Association does
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a U.S.-based trade association incorporated in Arizona in 2005 and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, with 1–10 employees. It serves as the convening body for the in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME) industries, connecting injection molders, label printers and converters, ink and substrate suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and brand owners across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The association is led by Executive Director Dianna Brodine, who has held the top operational role since December 2020, and Member Coordinator Cori Watkins.
IMDA's core offering is a portfolio of membership services rather than a unified product platform. These include a searchable Membership Directory of industry companies, the annual IMDA Awards Competition recognizing excellence in IML/IMD/IME applications, educational resources through In-Mold 101 and a Video Academy, regular In-Mold Meet-Up webinars, the quarterly In-Mold Messenger newsletter, the Plastic Product Decorating Summit, and PACK EXPO Sustainability Breakfast programming. The underlying technology focus is the integration of decoration, labeling, and electronic functionality directly into molded plastic parts — a process that delivers recyclable, durable, and cost-effective packaging and durable goods. Sustainability positioning is anchored by partnerships with the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and RecyClass, which provide recyclability guidance and Design for Recycling protocols to members.
IMDA operates on a subscription/membership dues model with annual billing, supplemented by tiered sponsorship revenue (2026 Champion, Ambassador, and Connector tiers). GTM is event-driven: the association acquires and retains members through industry conferences, awards competitions, webinars, and newsletters. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; engagement is managed directly via the Executive Director and Member Coordinator. The association is member-governed, privately funded, and has no disclosed parent company or institutional investors.
In-Mold Decorating Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- In-Mold Decorating Association
- Legal name
- In-Mold Decorating Association
- Website
- https://imdassociation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a U.S. trade association founded in 2005 that convenes molders, label printers, ink and substrate suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and brand owners across the global in-mold labeling, decorating, and electronics industries through membership services, events, and education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
In-Mold Decorating Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- In-Mold Labels (IML) (IMALAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Packaging Injection Molding (Caps, Closures, Thin-Wall, IML) (IMANAFAA)
Keywords
Where In-Mold Decorating Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Topeka
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
In-Mold Decorating Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: IMDA generates revenue through annual membership dues from companies across the in-mold decorating supply chain including molders, label printers, ink suppliers, converters, and equipment manufacturers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Membership tiers based on company type and level of involvement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
In-Mold Decorating Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a trade association that operates as the industry hub for in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME) technologies. It sells membership to companies across the in-mold supply chain and delivers member services including an online member directory, an annual awards competition, educational resources, industry events, and a quarterly newsletter. Its fundamental purpose is to connect, educate, and promote the entire IML/IMD/IME value chain spanning molders, brand owners, label printers, ink suppliers, converters, and equipment manufacturers.
Product overview
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a trade association that serves the in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME) industry. Rather than a unified product platform, IMDA provides a portfolio of membership services including a searchable Membership Directory of industry companies, the annual IMDA Awards Competition recognizing excellence in in-mold technology applications, educational resources through In-Mold 101 and Video Academy, regular webinars through In-Mold Meet-Ups, the quarterly In-Mold Messenger newsletter, industry events including the Plastic Product Decorating Summit, and resources on sustainable and recyclable technologies. These services support industry networking, education, and promotion of in-mold technologies to brand owners and manufacturers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Membership Directory An online searchable directory of member companies including molders, brand owners, label printers, ink suppliers, converters, and equipment manufacturers involved with IML, IMD, and IME technologies. Available to members and used by OEMs and brand owners to source in-mold partners globally.
- IMDA Awards Competition Annual competition recognizing industry-leading applications in in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME), judged on design, complexity, integration, functionality, and innovation. Open to members and industry participants.
- Plastic Product Decorating Summit and IMDA Conferences Industry conferences including the annual Plastic Product Decorating Summit, the PACK EXPO Sustainability Breakfast, and the IMDA Events Calendar, providing networking and education for in-mold decorating professionals.
- In-Mold Meet-Ups Webinars Recurring online webinars covering topics related to in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME), featuring industry expert conversations for members and prospective members.
- Video Academy and In-Mold 101 Educational Resources Educational content library explaining in-mold technology fundamentals, applications, and industry knowledge, comprising written In-Mold 101 resources and a video academy for industry professionals.
- Sustainable and Recyclable Technology Resources Resources and guidance on sustainability and recyclability of in-mold technologies, including links to APR Design Guide, RecyClass protocols, and industry recycling standards for member use.
- The In-Mold Messenger Newsletter Free quarterly e-newsletter providing updates on IMDA happenings and industry news distributed to subscribers and members.
Quantifiable outcome
- Since 2005
Companies that use In-Mold Decorating Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
In-Mold Decorating Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
In-Mold Decorating Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR)coreAPR lists in-mold labeling and decoration as a 'preferred' technology. IMDA maintains partnership with APR to provide sustainability resources and recyclability guidance for IML/IMD technologies.
- RecyClasscoreEuropean nonprofit advancing plastic circularity through Design for Recycling guidelines and Recyclability Evaluation Protocols. IMDA shares RecyClass resources with members for sustainability compliance.
- Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)minorIMDA collaborates with PLASTICS on recycling advocacy and shares industry resources related to the $548 billion U.S. plastics industry.
- MCC VerstraetecoreWorld's market leader in offset-printed in mold labels. Key technology partner providing IML solutions and SealPPeel lidding products.
- Beck AutomationcoreAutomation specialist for IML systems, including medical IML solutions showcased at NPE2024 in partnership with ARBURG, Intravis, KEBO, and MCC.
- ARBURGcoreInjection molding machine manufacturer collaborating on Medical IML system demonstrated at NPE2024 along with Beck Automation, Intravis, KEBO, and MCC.
- CCL LabelcoreGlobal leader in specialty label and packaging solutions. CCL expanded operations in Tibi, Spain for sustainable shrink sleeves and IML production.
- StackTeckcore2026 IMDA Champion sponsor. Global manufacturer of high volume injection molding systems for IML applications.
- Sussex IMcore2026 IMDA Ambassador sponsor. Injection molder providing IML solutions for consumer products, medical/pharma, and industrial markets.
- Multi-Color Corporation (MCC)coreMajor label converter with multiple acquisitions in IML space. Key partner in Medical IML system and producer of IML labels.
- WayPoint Marketing Communicationsminor2026 IMDA Ambassador sponsor. Marketing communications consultancy serving the in-mold decorating industry.
- Wipfliminor2026 IMDA Connector sponsor. Tax and advisory services provider for IMDA member companies.
- Virginia Tech Institute and State UniversityminorUniversity partner providing research and academic connections to the IML/IMD industry.
- Muller TechnologycoreCharter member. Leading supplier of molds and automation solutions for sustainable thin-wall packaging with IML expertise.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
In-Mold Decorating Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS): U.S. trade association representing the broader plastics industry, including IML-relevant molders and converters. IMDA explicitly partners with PLASTICS on recycling advocacy, making it the closest direct functional peer — a member-driven industry body serving plastics manufacturing.
- RecyClass: European nonprofit advancing plastic circularity through Design for Recycling guidelines. Functions as a peer organization to IMDA by setting recyclability standards that directly impact IML/IMD member compliance and adoption.
- Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR): Trade organization focused on plastics recyclability that lists IML as a 'preferred' technology. As an IMDA core partner addressing sustainability standards, APR is a direct functional peer in the membership-based standards/advocacy space for the plastics value chain.
- TLMI — Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute: Trade association serving the tag and label manufacturing industry, including converters serving in-mold applications. Functions as a direct peer in the label/manufacturing membership body space, with overlapping converter and printer member segments.
Broad incumbents
- Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE): Global professional society for plastics engineers and scientists. Comparable as an educational and networking membership body serving the plastics industry, but focused on technical/professional development rather than IMDA's process-technology advocacy.
- PMMI — Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies: Major U.S. trade association for packaging and processing equipment makers, owner of PACK EXPO. Comparable as a membership organization serving packaging machinery and converters, but at significantly larger scale and broader scope than IMDA's IML/IMD focus.
Emerging players
- Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA): Industry association promoting active and intelligent packaging technologies including printed electronics. Overlaps with IMDA's IME (in-mold electronics) coverage and addresses a similar emerging-technology ecosystem, making it a thematic peer.
- RadTech International: Trade association for UV/EB curing technologies widely used in IML/IMD printing. Comparable as a niche technology-focused membership body serving a subset of IMDA's converter and ink supplier members.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
In-Mold Decorating Association social profiles
Digital presenceIn-Mold Decorating Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
In-Mold Decorating Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
In-Mold Decorating Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
In-Mold Decorating Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about In-Mold Decorating Association
What does In-Mold Decorating Association do?
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) is a trade association that operates as the industry hub for in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD), and in-mold electronics (IME) technologies. It sells membership to companies across the in-mold supply chain and delivers member services including an online member directory, an annual awards competition, educational resources, industry events, and a quarterly newsletter. Its fundamental purpose is to connect, educate, and promote the entire IML/IMD/IME value chain spanning molders, brand owners, label printers, ink suppliers, converters, and equipment manufacturers.
Is In-Mold Decorating Association a public or private company?
In-Mold Decorating Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was In-Mold Decorating Association founded?
In-Mold Decorating Association was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is In-Mold Decorating Association based?
In-Mold Decorating Association is headquartered in Topeka, United States, in the North America region.
How does In-Mold Decorating Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are In-Mold Decorating Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), RecyClass, Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and TLMI — Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute. Broad incumbents are Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and PMMI — Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Emerging players are Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA) and RadTech International.
Does In-Mold Decorating Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for In-Mold Decorating Association.
What industry is In-Mold Decorating Association in?
In-Mold Decorating Association's product category is Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAKAC, In-Mold Labels (IML), with a secondary code of IMANAFAA, Packaging Injection Molding (Caps, Closures, Thin-Wall, IML). Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 8600.