Method of reducing film density and related product

A method of making a reduced density multilayer printable film comprising the steps of:

• a. mixing a first mixture including a polymeric base material, a print additive and a microvoid forming additive;
• b. mixing a second mixture including the polymeric base material and the microvoid forming additive;
• c. co-extruding a first layer of the first mixture, a second layer of the second mixture and a third layer of the first mixture to form a co-extrudate of three layers;
• d. cold drawing the co-extrudate to generate microvoids therein;
• e. heating the co-extrudate sufficiently to cause the print additive to bloom to outer surfaces of the first layer and the third layer;
• and
• f. stretching the co-extrude to create the reduced density multilayer printable film.

A reduced density multilayer printable film comprising:

• a. a first layer formed of a first mixture including a polymeric base material, a print additive and a microvoid forming additive;
• b. a second layer formed of a second mixture including the polymeric base material and the microvoid forming additive;
• and
• c. a third layer formed of the first mixture, wherein the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer, wherein the first, second and third layers include microvoids, wherein the first and third layers include the print additive bloomed to exterior surfaces thereof, and wherein the density of the multilayer printable film is less than about 0.7 g/cc.

A method of making a labeled part in an in-mold labeling process comprising the steps of:

• a. inserting a reduced density film into an in-mold labeling mold;
• b. inserting sufficient material to manufacture the labeled part;
• and
• c. processing the manufacture of the labeled part with the reduced density multilayer film in the in-mold labeling mold.