Materials Guide
Laser Marking Materials Guide
Which laser works on your material? A practical matrix of recommended machines, typical applications and the marking effect you can expect.
01 — Materials Matrix
Material → recommended laser → result
A starting point for machine selection. The final result depends on your part, coating and required contrast — confirmed by a free sample test.
| Material | Recommended Laser | Typical Application | Marking Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Fiber Laser | Serial numbers, DataMatrix, nameplates | Black or dark gray, permanent |
| Carbon Steel | Fiber Laser | Tools, housings, cast parts | High-contrast, permanent |
| Aluminum | Fiber Laser | Housings, nameplates, logos | Gray marking, good contrast |
| Anodized Aluminum | MOPA Fiber Laser | Dark or contrasting logos | Dark marks or layer-removal contrast; test the surface |
| Brass & Copper | Fiber Laser | Fittings, plaques, electrical parts | Light to dark contrast, permanent |
| Titanium | Fiber / MOPA | Medical instruments, aerospace parts | Black or color marking (MOPA) |
| Gold & Silver | Fiber / MOPA | Jewelry, gifts, fine engraving | Fine, low-heat engraving |
| ABS & PC Plastics | UV Laser | Electronics housings, connectors | Fine marking with controlled heat input; test the resin |
| Coated / Painted Materials | UV Laser | Keyboards, appliances, trim | Layer removal, even contrast |
| Wood | CO₂ Laser | Signs, furniture, crafts | Dark engraving |
| Leather | CO₂ Laser | Belts, bags, tags | Soft contrast engraving |
| Paper & Cardboard | CO₂ Laser | Packaging, batch codes | Fine, low-power marking |
| Acrylic | CO₂ Laser | Signs, awards, panels | Frosted or engraved effect |
| Glass | UV / CO₂ | Bottles, glassware, panels | Frosted or fine marking |
| Ceramics | UV Laser | Electronic components, tableware | Crisp surface marking |
Marking effects depend on alloy, formulation, coating and surface finish. Test representative parts. Check the composition of plastics, synthetic leather and coatings before processing; PVC and other unsuitable halogen-containing materials are excluded from this general recommendation.
02 — Material Groups
Four groups, four starting points
Metals
Steel, stainless, aluminum, brass, copper, titanium.
Fiber · MOPA
Plastics
ABS, PC, PA, PE, coated and molded engineering plastics.
UV · Fiber
Organics
Wood, leather, paper, cardboard, acrylic, textiles.
CO₂
Specialty
Glass, ceramics, anodized aluminum, coated metals.
UV · MOPA
03 — Not Sure?
Test it on your own part
Send a sample of your material and your marking file. We test it, send back the marked part with the parameters used, and recommend the machine configuration — free before purchase.
Sample test steps
- 01Send parts or material
- 02Marking parameters optimized
- 03Marked samples returned
- 04Machine recommendation & quote