In-mold labeling systems with polymeric label receptor and in-mold labeling methods therewith

An in-mold labeling system comprising:

• a molding apparatus comprising a first mold half and a second mold half that opposes said first mold half, said molding apparatus having a closed position in which a first surface of said first mold half and a second surface of said second mold half together define at least one mold cavity contained within a cavity wall;
• and
• a polymeric label receptor fixed to at least a portion of said first surface or said second surface, said polymeric label receptor having a tacky contact face facing the inside of said at least one mold cavity when said molding apparatus is in said closed position,
• wherein said tacky contact face of said polymeric label receptor receives a mold-side face of a label during a molding process and said label is held in position against said tacky contact face during said molding process by surface tension between said mold-side face of said label and said tacky contact face of said polymeric label receptor, and wherein said polymeric label receptor is a cured or vulcanized layer selected from the group consisting of silicone elastomers, room-temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomers, polyurethanes, and polyacrylates.