In-Mold Labeling

An apparatus comprising:

• a printer roll assembly, the printer roll assembly being configured to receive rolled labeling material;
• a printer assembly, the printer assembly including a printer, the printer being configured to print at least one of a plurality of different labels onto a portion of the labeling material;
• and
• a laser device assembly, the laser device assembly being configured to provide a laser beam to cut the portion into a cut portion for insertion into a mold cavity, the laser device assembly being programmable to cut a plurality of shapes.

A computer system comprising:

• one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums;
• and
• program instructions that are stored to the one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums and executable by one or more processors to cause an in-mold labeling apparatus to perform functions comprising:
• advancing a labeling portion from rolled labeling material to a cutting area of the in-mold labeling apparatus, wherein label information is printed on the labeling portion;
• controlling a laser beam to cut the labeling portion based on a pattern received by the computer system, wherein cutting the labeling portion comprises applying the laser beam to the labeling portion;
• and
• performing an in-mold labeling using the labeling portion.