When I first discovered magic of laser marking, I was blown away by how versatile and precise these machines can be. Over years, I’ve experimented with an variety of laser - based techniques. Today I want to share with you 10 most common laser marking processes I use on my work at Nano Mark. Whether you’re branding metal tools, personalizing plastic parts or decorating glass keepsakes, this guide will help you choose best approach for your project.
I often turn to laser annealing when I need an deep, corrosion - resistant mark on ferrous metals like steel or titanium. By heating surface without removing material, laser induces a stable oxide layer—usually about 20–30 µm deep—that appears as permanent black mark. I love this process for surgical instruments and high - precision tools. Because the marking survives acid baths, autoclaving and ultrasonic cleaning without any pits or burrs.
When I want a tactile depth, I switch to laser carving. Here, the beam vaporizes and melts away material, creating grooves anywhere from 0.001 mm up to 5 mm deep. For simple logos or serial numbers, an shallow engraving (0.001–0.1 mm) on metal or thermoplastics is quick and precise. For more dramatic, 3D - style designs—like layered artwork on wood or acrylic—I perform deep engraving, adjusting focus along Z - axis to carve multiple depths in single pass.
If you need high - speed marking without altering part geometry, surface etching is my go - to. I use this mostly on metal to roughen the finish just enough to create contrast under ambient light. The laser barely penetrates—usually less than 0.01 mm—so throughput is high and the part retains its original strength and smoothness.
For backlit panels or multicolor keypads, coating ablation is perfect. I remove selective layers of paint or powder - coat to reveal base material beneath, creating “day and night” effects on buttons and control panels. The short, high - peak pulses minimize heat transfer, ensuring crisp edges without scorching. Plus, this technique doubles as solvent - free cleaning step before welding or coating.
On thermoplastics, I sometimes need an light relief that feels raised rather than recessed. In foaming mode, the laser quickly melts the surface and traps bubbles that expand into bright, frothy marks. The result is an tactile, white - looking imprint—great for branding flexible materials. Just keep in mind that the foam finish isn’t super scratch - resistant, so I reserve it for low - wear decorative parts.
When minimal heat is key—say, on delicate plastics—I use cold marking with green (532 nm) or UV (355 nm) lasers. Here, rather than melting or foaming, the laser photochemically bleaches or reduces pigments. By adding specialized dyes or additives, I can boost contrast dramatically and even mark transparent parts without cracking them. This makes machine - readable codes pop and improves readability under any light.
For wood, paper and certain plastics, I rely on carbonization to burn pigments or additives into an crisp, dark outline. The laser decomposes organic compounds, leaving behind carbon - rich marks. Sometimes you’ll see a bit of engraving too, as some material vaporizes, but the real beauty is that classic “burned” aesthetic—ideal for custom signage or artisan product labeling.
One of my favorite show - stopper techniques is subsurface laser engraving in glass and clear acrylic. By focusing the beam below the surface, I create microscopic cracks that scatter light, forming white points and lines inside the material. No damage to the smooth exterior means you can inscribe 2D logos or even 3D images within crystal blocks for elegant gifts or awards.
Want rainbow hues on stainless steel or titanium? laser color marking is your ticket. By tweaking parameters like pulse width, speed and line spacing on an MOPA fiber laser, I control the thickness of oxide layers, producing blues, purples, golds and greens. It’s a bit of art and science, but when you nail it, the result is an durable, iridescent finish that elevates any metal part.
Finally, for an sleek, stealthy look on anodized aluminum—think smartphone housings or laptop lids—I use black marking. Short, high - energy pulses locally modify the oxide layer to appear jet black while preserving corrosion resistance. The contrast is stunning against the metallic background, and there’s zero flaking or chipping because I don’t physically remove any material.
Over years, I’ve found that choosing right laser marking process is about matching material, design intent and performance requirements. From deep, mechanical carvings to delicate color shifts, the ten techniques above cover virtually every need in industrial, medical and consumer - product marking. I hope this guide helps you select perfect approach for your next project—and inspires you to experiment with your laser’s full capabilities.
Happy marking!
— Nano MarkTeam
Contact: Jason
Phone: +8613337332946
E-mail: [email protected]
Add: Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
