Laser marking writes text, logos, serial numbers and QR codes on parts with a focused laser beam that changes the colour of the surface or removes a thin layer. It is permanent, needs no ink or tools, and works on steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, plastics and coated parts. Deeper marks are called laser engraving.
Quick facts
- Common laser
- Fibre laser (metals, many plastics); CO₂ for wood, glass, paper
- Mark types
- Annealing (colour), engraving (depth), ablation (removing a coating)
- Smallest text
- About 0.3–0.5 mm (0.0118–0.0197 inch) high
- Engraving depth
- A few microns to about 0.5 mm (0.0197 inch), slower when deeper
- Marking area
- About 100×100 to 300×300 mm (11.81×11.81 inch) per setting
- Usually priced
- Per piece, by marking time and handling
What it is used for
- Part numbers, batch numbers and dates for traceability
- QR codes and data matrix codes
- Company logos and brand names
- Scales and markings on tools and instruments
- Removing anodising or paint to show text on panels and buttons
Kinds of laser marks
| Mark | How it looks | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | Black or coloured, smooth, no depth | Stainless steel, medical and food parts |
| Engraving | Cut into the surface | Moulds, tools, parts that will be painted |
| Ablation | Coating removed, base metal shows | Anodised aluminium, painted panels |
| Foaming | Light, slightly raised | Dark plastics |
What to send the marking shop
- The artwork as a vector file (DXF, AI, PDF) or the exact text
- Mark size, position and the face to mark
- Material and surface (bare, anodised, painted, plated)
- Whether serial numbers or dates must change part by part
- Depth if engraving, and whether the mark must survive painting or plating
- Quantity and a sample part if possible
Need laser marking and engraving done?
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Questions
- Is laser marking permanent?
- Yes. The mark is part of the surface, not ink on it, so it does not rub off. Very light marks can fade under heavy polishing or blasting; engraving suits those parts.
- Can stainless steel be laser marked black?
- Yes, with annealing marking. The laser heats the surface to form a dark oxide without cutting into it, which keeps the surface smooth for food and medical parts.
- Can QR codes be laser marked on small parts?
- Yes. Codes down to a few millimetres square can be marked and read with a proper scanner, if the surface is flat and not too rough.
The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 18 October 2026.