Laser Engraving

Suitable for many substrates, laser engraving produces marking and coding with high wear resistance on metals, glass, plastic, wood, acrylic.

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Quality You See and Feel

The laser beam removes a thin layer from the product surface, creating a visual and tactile marking that increases supply-chain traceability, meets coding requirements, and reduces counterfeiting risk.

Common Coding Applications

1-D Barcodes and 2-D QR codes
Logos and other branding
Contact information
Serial numbers
Part numbers
Lot numbers
And more

Fast and Friendly

Eco-friendly laser marking offers numerous benefits compared to coding with inks, including greater precision and permanence.

Benefits of Laser Engraving

Better legibility
No drying
Long term durability
Resistance to high-temperature sterilization
Eco-friendly

Other Services

Compatible Materials: Laser
Material	Color of Marking	Compatible for Engraving
Metals
Aluminum	Black, Brown	Yes
Anodized Aluminum	White, Black	Yes
Hardcoat Anodized Aluminum	White	Yes
Steel	Black, Brown	Yes
Stainless Steel	Black	Yes
Electropolished Stainless Steel	Black	Yes
Brass	Black	Yes
Copper	Black	Yes
Titanium	Black	Yes
Painted Metals	White, Gray	Yes
Plastics
Lustran	Black, Gray	No
Peek	Black, Gray	No
Other Materials
Silicone	Gray	No
Nylon	Gray	No
Fiberglass	Gray	No
Rubber	Black, Gray	No

Annealing	Dark surface marking. Used primarily on uncoated steel and aluminum.
Etching	Very light engraving - small removal of material
Engraving	Removal of material to depth. Used primarily for steel and aluminum. Limited use for plastics.
Ablation	Removal of coatings like anodize
Color change	Used mostly on plastics to produce a contrasting mark
Foaming	Used on plastics to create a raised surface marking
Bleaching	Used only on Hardcoat anodize (primarily black). Creates a white marking by altering the dye. Does not remove anodize.
Masking	Used to remove anodize in specific areas for grounding purposes.

FAQs

Laser engraving and laser etching are similar processes with some differences.

Laser engraving creates much deeper markings than laser etching. This is ideal for high wear parts requiring durability.
Laser engraving also generates more heat than etching, making it less compatible with thinner or more sensitive materials.

Some of the benefits for laser engraving and etching include:

Better legibility
No drying
Long term durability
Resistance to high temperature sterilization
Eco-friendly

Laser engraving locally vaporizes surfaces creating a visual and tactile code. Since laser engraving and etching do not involve particle blasting, there is a significantly reduced chance of surface damage or deformation. The markings produced are also more legible than other engraving methods.

Some of the more common laser engraving uses include:

Barcodes and QR codes
Logos and other branding
Contact information
Serial numbers
Part numbers
And other identifying marks

Our laser engraving processes utilize three different marking systems to meet the needs of your specific project.

UV, or ultraviolet lasers produce shorter 355nm wavelengths and can be used for non-thermal processes including color changes.
Green lasers produce a 532nm wavelength that allows for extremely precise, high speed engraving of plastics and metals.
YAG lasers produce a 1064nm wavelength for engraving metal and harder plastics.