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Marking on Metals with a Laser Engraver
What you should know about laser marking on metal products
Laser engravers are known for their versatility and are highly sought after in the personalization, signage, and fabrication industries for creating everything from custom drinkware to lock-out/tag-out tags. These machines are available in both small desktop versions, like Flux lasers, or larger scale industrial sizes like an Epilog laser. Whether personalizing stainless steel drinkware, creating industrial tags, or marking metal plates, a laser engraver gives you the precision and control needed to produce high-contrast, professional results on several materials, including metals.
In this guide, we’ll dive into which type of laser works best for marking on metals, what supplies you need to mark on metals, and best practices for getting the best results when engraving metal materials, whether it’s a piece of metal sheet or tumbler.
Choosing the Best Laser for Metal Marking
The first step in laser marking metal, is to ensure you have the proper tools! Choosing the right laser for marking on metal will help you get the best results. The options for marking on metal include CO2 laser engravers, diode laser engravers, and fiber laser engravers.
CO₂ Laser Engravers for Engraving Metal
CO2 lasers are best known for their ability to mark, cut, and engrave a wide variety of materials including wood, plastic, and leather. While a CO2 laser can’t directly etch bare metal, they are capable of marking anodized or coated metals and bare metals when paired with metal marking sprays and pastes like CerMark or LaserBond.
How do metal marking products work?
Metal marking sprays and pastes work by bonding to the metal surface when heated by the laser beam. This produces a high-contrast, black mark that is resistant to every day wear and tear, like water and heat.
Fiber Laser Engravers
Another option for engraving on metal is to use a fiber laser. Fiber lasers can engrave directly on bare metals but may not be as versatile as CO2 lasers, depending on the type of materials used in the laser. Fiber lasers are ideal for engraving barcodes, serial numbers, and other permanent branding. There are even some sheet plastics that are specially engineered to work with fiber lasers like Rowmark FiberGrave® sheet plastic. Fiber lasers have the unique ability to vary the brightness or contrast of the engraved mark by simply adjusting the frequency setting of the laser beam. On some types of metal, multiple colors can also be achieved by adjusting the laser beam frequency.
Diode Laser Engravers for Engraving Metal
The third option for metal marking equipment is to use a diode laser engraver. In addition to their ability to mark on glass, and faux leather, they can also etch on metals without the use of metal marking pastes and sprays. Because diode lasers can mark on uncoated metals, these machines are often preferred for creating things like custom jewelry or marking on metal tools. Diode lasers can often be purchased a a lower price point than CO2 and fiber lasers, which can create an easier entry for new users to get in to metal marking laser technologies.
To sum it up, there are three options when choosing your equipment for metal marking: a CO2 laser, a fiber laser, or a diode laser. The best option between the three of these depends on what your main goal is for your laser, your budget, and if you want the ability to mark on uncoated metals without the use of a metal marking paste or spray.
What’s the best metal marking spray to use with metal?
If you’ve chosen to use a CO2 laser for metal marking, pairing it with the right marking spray or paste will help ensure crisp, permanent markings. At Johnson Plastics Plus, we carry the industry’s leading solutions for metal marking:
CerMark for Marking on Metal
CerMark is an industry favorite and trusted among professionals in the laser engraving community. CerMark can be used to create permanent marks on aluminum, brass, steel, and more. To use the spray or paste, simply brush onto the surface of your substrate if using the paste or spray onto your surface if using the spray, engrave as normal, and then wash away the unused spray or paste. You’ll be left with a high-contrast, long-lasting design!
LaserBond
LaserBond is another brand of metal marking spray and paste that offer similar durability and ease of use. LaserBond’s best results are realized when used with professional or industrial laser engraver models that are equipped with an RF laser tube.
Both products are a great tool for adding permanent, high-contrast markings on tumblers, nameplates, tools, and promotional products.
Can metal marking sprays and pastes work on more than just metal?
Yes! While products like CerMark Ultra work wonderfully for marking on uncoated metals, they can also serve as a tool for marking on glass, ceramics, stone, and slate.
What are the best metal products for engraving?
Metal products are popular in both industrial and commercial spaces for their strength, appearance, and longevity. Here are few of our top selling metal products to explore:
Metal Sheet Material
Metal sheet materials, such as AlumaMark, Durablack, or lacquered stainless steel sheet, are often engraved for industrial signage or ID plates. Metal sheets are easy to fabricate and add a professional look to any space.
In addition to metal sheets, there are also metal-like materials available in our collection! These materials are a great option for when metal is too expensive, the environment is too harsh or custom cutout shapes and designs are needed in addition to engraving. For example, Metalgraph Plus is an acrylic that looks like a metal but is outdoor weatherable, UV-stable, and can be easily fabricated into unique shapes with a laser cutter.
Metal Drinkware
Customized drinkware products have been a huge seller and the drinkware category continues to grow each year! You can use a metal marking spray to add laser engraving on stainless steel tumblers and bottles or engrave on coated metal drinkware products.
What are the best materials for laser engraving?
One of the biggest advantages of laser engraving is the wide range of compatible products that can be fabricated or personalized. In addition to metal, CO2 lasers can mark, cut, and engrave plastics, wood, rubber, faux leather and more. With a diode laser, you can mark on a variety of materials as well, with the exclusion of reflective or translucent products.
Get started with metal marking
With the support of Johnson Plastics Plus, it’s simple to get started with marking on metals! We’ve got a great collection of equipment, materials, and supplies that can help you start or grow in your metal marking venture. In addition, check out our education videos and blogs for instruction on using metal marking pastes and spray!