Frequently asked questions

Laser engraving uses a focused laser beam to physically remove or vaporize a thin layer of material from the surface, creating a visible, textured mark with real depth. It's permanent, high-contrast, and works well for logos, artwork, and detailed graphics.

Metal (stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, copper), wood, glass, acrylic, leather, and most engineered plastics can all be laser engraved. The right settings vary by material, which is part of why the process is called precision engraving.

Yes. Because engraving physically removes material rather than just marking the surface, the result is permanent and resistant to fading, abrasion, and most solvents.

Yes. Laser engraving is highly repeatable, so runs of one-off custom pieces and large production batches are both handled with the same accuracy and consistency.

Laser marking uses a focused beam to change the surface of a material — through annealing, discoloration, or a light surface reaction — without cutting deep into it. It's ideal for permanent identification marks like serial numbers, barcodes, and QR codes.

Engraving physically removes material to create a textured, deeper mark; marking changes the surface color or finish without removing much material at all. Marking is usually the better choice for fine text, serial numbers, and codes on metal parts; engraving is better suited to bold graphics and logos.

Serial numbers, barcodes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, part identification, and traceability marks are some of the most common industrial uses — especially where a mark has to survive the full life of the part.

Yes. Laser marks resist abrasion, chemicals, and heat far better than printed or etched labels, which is why they're the standard for parts that need permanent identification.

Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, and copper are all commonly engraved or marked. Each metal responds a little differently, so the process is tuned per material and per finish.

Yes — stainless steel is one of the best materials for laser marking. It produces a dark, high-contrast, corrosion-resistant mark that's a common choice for industrial and machine nameplates.

Yes, including anodized aluminum, which produces an especially crisp, high-contrast mark — a popular choice for panels, nameplates, and switch plates.

Yes. Laser engraving on glass produces a controlled frosted or etched effect with fine detail, commonly used for premium branding, glassware, and architectural pieces.

Yes. Wood, leather, cork, and paper can all be engraved with fine detail and controlled depth, which works well for branding, personalization, and decorative pieces.

Yes. Many engineered plastics, including polycarbonate, can be marked cleanly without melting or damaging the surface — common for control panels, electronics housings, and technical parts.

Yes, custom-engraved metal business cards are one of our specialties, designed to your exact spec on both front and back. Soon we will have our very own editor to create the exact business card that you have in mind.

We work with four laser wavelengths, each suited to different materials:

• CO2 (10,600nm) — best for wood, acrylic, paper, coated metals, and other organic materials. Pros: large work area, cost-effective, excellent for cutting and engraving non-metals. Cons: not well suited to marking bare metal, and detail is coarser than the other wavelengths (~0.2mm spot size).
• Fiber (1064nm) — the industry standard for permanent metal marking. Pros: excellent for serialization, traceability, deep engraving, and annealing, with very fine detail (~0.05mm spot size). Cons: not effective on most non-metal or organic materials.
• Diode (455nm) — best for select plastics, coatings, and organics. Pros: efficient and high-resolution, good for detailed engraving, personalization, and prototyping. Cons: narrower material compatibility than CO2 or fiber (~0.08 x 0.1mm spot size).
• UV (355nm) — best for sensitive plastics, electronics, glass, and coatings. Pros: the finest, most precise marks (~0.02mm spot size) with minimal heat transfer, for premium cosmetic results. Cons: typically slower and more specialized than the other wavelengths.

API RP 1173 is the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice for Pipeline Safety Management Systems. It outlines a framework operators use to manage risk, including reliable, permanent identification of pipeline and refinery equipment.

They're used to permanently identify pipeline and refinery equipment — valves, vessels, piping, and other assets — supporting the traceability and asset-management practices called for under pipeline safety management programs like API RP 1173.

Stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, and brass are all common choices, selected for corrosion resistance and long-term legibility in outdoor, high-heat, and chemically harsh refinery environments.