Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Marking Systems

Industrial laser marking—sometimes also called laser printing or laser coding—is a non-contact, high-precision method used to mark or engrave information such as 1D and 2D barcodes, batch numbers, lot codes, expiration dates, logos, and multi-line text directly onto products or packaging. This process is widely used in production lines for product identification, traceability, and compliance.

Unlike commercial laser marking, which is often used for decorative or promotional purposes on items like trophies, gifts, or signage, industrial laser marking is optimized for high-speed, high-volume environments. It helps ensure consistent, durable, and readable marks on a wide range of materials including plastics, metals, glass, and cardboard—making it ideal for sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive.

Laser marking works by using a focused beam of light to alter the surface of a material. The laser beam delivers intense energy to a specific area, causing the material to react in a way that creates a visible mark. Depending on the material and the type of laser technology used, this process can result in various marking effects such as engraving, annealing, staining, or removing material layers to produce the desired image or text. The process is highly precise, allowing for detailed and permanent marks suitable for branding, identification, and traceability.

Videojet lasers are capable of marking products both while they are moving along a production line and when they are stationary. This flexibility allows for efficient marking in dynamic, in-motion applications as well as in static setups where the product remains in place.

Choose a laser when permanent, high-resolution coding is required for your products—crucial for traceability and meeting industry standards. Lasers are ideal for production lines of all speeds.

Laser can successfully mark a wide array of substrates, including glass, plastic, metal, and coated paper. Additionally, lasers operate without consumables like inks, which translates to lower running costs and less maintenance than other coding solutions. Only a routine replacement of the fume extractor filter is required to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the work environment.

Laser marking, engraving, and etching are all methods of using lasers to create permanent marks on materials—but they differ in depth, process, and application.

• Laser marking is a non-contact process that alters the surface of a material without cutting into it. It typically uses a low-powered beam to discolor the surface through oxidation, creating high-contrast marks like barcodes, serial numbers, and logos. It’s ideal for plastics, metals, and coated materials where surface integrity must be preserved. Best for plastics, metals, electronics.
• Laser engraving removes material from the surface to create a deep, permanent cavity. This process uses a high-powered laser to vaporize the material, making it ideal for applications that require durability and tactile feedback, such as tool identification or industrial part marking. Best for wood, glass and metal.
• Laser etching is a subset of engraving, but it removes less material and is typically used on metal surfaces. It creates shallow marks by melting the surface, which then expands and forms a raised mark. Etching is faster than engraving and is often used for high-speed marking on coated or anodized metals. Best for Coated metals, high-speed applications.

Laser marking and inkjet printing are two popular methods for marking and coding products, but they differ significantly in terms of process, durability, and applications.

• Laser marking is a non-contact process that uses a focused beam of light to alter the surface of a material. It is known for its precision, permanence, and ability to mark a wide range of materials including metals, plastics, and ceramics. Laser marking is ideal for applications that require high-quality, durable marks such as barcodes, serial numbers, and logos.
• Inkjet printing, on the other hand, uses liquid ink to create marks on the surface of a material. It is a versatile and cost-effective method suitable for a variety of substrates including paper, cardboard, and some plastics. Inkjet printing is commonly used for date codes, batch numbers, and other variable data printing.

Depending on the material’s composition and the desired effect, lasers can achieve clear and permanent codes and other marks on many packaging materials, products, and industrial parts – including those made of film, paper, glass, metal, flexible and hard plastics, rubber, and wood. Achieving the ideal mark for your specific substrate and application relies on the optimum specification of laser source type and power, marking head, and lens, as well as various other factors that will impact the desired mark effect. Testing is needed to ensure the ideal marking technology is selected for any application.

Laser marking systems can slightly engrave a metal surface to produce highly legible codes and other marks. The marking process can take just a few milliseconds, but the more characters that must be formed, the more time it takes. The power density emitted by the laser on the product determines the marking quality. Videojet offers fiber laser solutions with metal marking capabilities.

Lasers can create clear, high-contrast, permanent marks on many plastics. The laser’s settings are adjusted to produce the desired mark without damaging the product. The specific type of laser and the plastic’s composition will influence whether lasers engrave or change the surface color of the plastic. Any color change is a result of the material’s reaction to the laser; custom colors can’t be chosen. Lasers are commonly used to produce dates, lot/batch codes, barcodes, serial numbers, logos, and other identifying marks on products and packaging.

Yes, laser marking is highly effective for both food packaging and pharmaceutical products. It enables manufacturers to apply permanent, high-resolution codes—such as expiration dates, batch numbers, and traceability information—directly onto cartons, labels, blister packs, bottles, and even food items.

Laser marking is a clean, non-contact process that eliminates the need for inks, solvents, or adhesive labels. This makes it ideal for maintaining product safety, regulatory compliance, and production efficiency in industries with strict hygiene and quality control standards.

In the pharmaceutical sector, laser technology supports efficiency and compliance. The food industry also benefits from laser marking, especially in high-throughput environments like egg production. Mr. Jose Luis Munoz, Manager at Velasco Poultry, noted: “We are also saving a lot of money on labels and have improved our productivity. The Videojet lasers have not had a single glitch since they were installed and are working well every day!” From blister packs and cartons to glass and plastic packaging, laser marking provides durable, legible codes that help food and pharmaceutical manufacturers maintain traceability, reduce waste, and boost operational performance.

Videojet laser coding solutions help ensure accurate, tamper-proof codes across a wide range of packaging materials—supporting everything from pharmaceutical serialization to food-grade marking on curved or uneven surfaces.

Yes, laser marking is a safe and widely accepted method for coding medical devices, including surgical instruments, implants, and diagnostic tools. It produces permanent, high-contrast marks without compromising the integrity or performance of the device. Laser systems can mark directly on metals, plastics, and ceramics used in medical manufacturing, helping ensure compliance with FDA UDI (Unique Device Identification) and MDR regulations.

Laser marking is also non-contact and chemical-free, making it ideal for sterile environments and biocompatible materials. The precision of laser coding helps ensure that critical information—such as serial numbers, manufacturing dates, and UDI codes—remains readable for the device’s full lifecycle.

“When choosing between lasers and continuous inkjet printers for UDI marking and other device coding in clean rooms, it is crucial to consider the lifecycle of the product being marked. If the product will require sterilization, permanent laser marking is the ideal solution.”
 — Your ultimate guide to medical device marking

Videojet laser solutions support Class 1, 2, and 3 medical devices and are engineered to meet global regulatory standards across complex manufacturing workflows.

CO₂ laser marking systems utilize a gas laser with CO₂ as the medium to engrave non-metal materials, offering high-speed marking on various plastics, cardboard/paperboard, glass, wood, and foil with precise and clean 2D codes, alphanumeric text, logos, and more.

Fiber laser marking systems employ a solid-state laser that is highly effective in marking metal and engineered plastics, providing high-contrast, permanent codes, text, and other marks with excellent durability and resistance to wear. Ideal for high-density plastic, stainless steel and other metals, and glass.

UV laser marking systems use ultraviolet light to create photochemical reactions that result in crisp, high-contrast marks on sensitive materials like glass, film, and mono-material packaging. Ideal for applications requiring fine detail without damage to the material.

The food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, medical devices, automotive, aeronautical, and extrusion industries all rely on lasers for product identification and traceability, while helping to ensure quality control, compliance with regulations, and efficient inventory management.

The different types of laser systems mainly vary based on the wavelength of the lasers that they emit, and the different power levels. The most important factor in choosing the right laser coder is the wavelength. The wavelength determines whether the laser will react with a material or not. Subsequently, the power and laser optics can be determined based on the speed required and the code size. Videojet offers laser marking systems with wavelengths of 10,600nm, 10,200 nm, 9,300 nm (CO₂ lasers), 1064 nm (fiber lasers) and 355 nm (UV laser) along with power options ranging from 2W to 100W. Videojet laser experts can help you determine the right laser configuration best suited to your needs. To help with laser selection, Videojet operates sample labs in five locations around the world to replicate Videojet customers’ applications and test code quality under variable real-world conditions.

Factors to be included in evaluating the correct system consist of line speed, pitch (spacing) between products, substrate (material) to be marked, code content (amount and field size), environmental conditions, and integration needs.

Videojet lasers marking systems using CO₂, fiber, and UV technologies are available to suit a range of production and budget requirements. Contact Videojet for help in identifying the right technology and model for your operation.

Videojet offers several flexible and user-friendly laser marking interface options to suit different production environments and operator needs:

• TCS+ (Touch Control Software) with TU430/TU440 or web browser: Intuitive touchscreen interface or remote browser access; available with IP65 rating for harsh environments. Best for Flexible, hygienic, for industrial setups needing remote access.
• CLARiTY™ Controller: Advanced touchscreen with Code Assurance and system diagnostics. Best for High-volume lines, regulated industries.
• SmartGraph (PC-Based Software): PC-installed software for offline job creation and editing. Best for Centralized management across lines or facilities.
• Connectivity Options: Supports EtherNet/IP® and PROFINET protocols for PLC integration/ Best for Seamless factory automation and control systems.

The choice between fiber, CO₂, and UV lasers depends on the material you’re marking and the type of code or mark you need.

• Fiber lasers are ideal for marking metals (stainless steel, aluminum, titanium) and plastics. They produce high-contrast, permanent marks and are commonly used in automotive, electronics, medical devices, and industrial parts.
• CO₂ lasers are best for organic materials like paperboard, wood, glass, plastics, PET, and flexible packaging films. They’re popular in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging due to their speed and versatility.
• UV lasers are used for delicate or heat-sensitive materials, such as high-contrast codes on white plastics, films and foils, circuit boards, and medical-grade polymers. Their “cold marking” process minimizes damage to sensitive surfaces, making them ideal for electronics, pharma, and medical applications.

Each laser type offers specific benefits based on your substrate, speed, and regulatory needs. The right match helps ensure code legibility, line efficiency, and compliance. Choosing the correct laser improves code durability, reduces waste, and ensures compliance with industry standards like UDI, GS1, and FDA requirements.

Laser marking is known for its durability and resistance to wear. The process typically alters the material at a surface level or even deeper, creating a permanent mark that does not fade or wear off easily over time. The mark can typically only be removed by damaging the surface of the material. This permanence makes laser marking an ideal solution for applications where longevity and legibility of the mark are critical, such as in medical device identification, automotive part tracking, and other industrial uses where the items may undergo frequent handling or harsh conditions.

Laser marking systems are known to be reliable, and depending on the laser type, the expected laser source life is 50,000 hours or more.

Basic preventive maintenance is minimal: filters in the fume extractor must be changed periodically, and front optics should also be checked and cleaned as needed. Depending on the operating conditions and usage, a more detailed PM is recommended on an annual basis.

Laser markers can withstand varying degrees of dust and water ingress depending on the IP ratings of the machine. Videojet offers laser markers with ratings up to IP69 with suitability for washdown conditions and resistance to dust particles.

Laser marking systems are highly reliable, low-maintenance solutions specifically designed to operate in demanding, high-throughput production environments—including 24/7 manufacturing lines. Their robust design, lack of consumables, and minimal moving parts make them ideal for continuous operation across industries such as food and beverage, automotive, medical device manufacturing, and electronics.

1. Engineered for high uptime and reliability
Modern laser coders—such as fiber, CO₂, and UV laser systems—are built for long operational lifespans, often rated for tens of thousands of hours of maintenance-free operation. This makes them ideal for round-the-clock production lines, where unplanned downtime can be costly.

2. Limited consumables = Fewer interventions
Unlike inkjet printers or thermal transfer systems, laser markers don’t use inks, solvents, ribbons, or printheads that require frequent replacement or refilling. This leads to:

• Fewer stoppages for changeovers
• Lower risk of coding errors or smudging
• Consistent, high-quality marks throughout production

3. Minimal maintenance requirements
Laser marking systems typically require only basic preventive maintenance, such as:

• Occasional cleaning of lenses or filters
• Ensuring proper airflow and cooling
• System calibration checks

Videojet advanced laser models include self-diagnostic tools, remote service support, and intelligent monitoring features to proactively alert operators to potential issues before they cause downtime.

4. High-speed marking with precision
Laser systems are capable of marking at extremely high line speeds, making them suitable for high-volume operations like bottling lines, extrusion processes, or electronic component manufacturing. They maintain precise, permanent codes even on fast-moving products.

5. Built for harsh environments
Many laser coders offer IP-rated enclosures and options for integration into dusty, humid, or high-temperature environments, ensuring performance even under tough industrial conditions.

Lasers are well-suited for high-speed production lines, including those in beverage packaging and other consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, matching the speeds of continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers. They provide quick, non-contact marking that produces accurate and permanent high-resolution codes. This is achieved while maintaining the pace of fast-moving products, without sacrificing code quality.

Modern laser systems are designed for ease of use, so even operators with limited technical experience can effectively manage laser marking operations after training. Key features include:

• User-friendly interfaces that often feature touch-screen controls and straightforward navigation.

“On the HMI, you make the initial adjustment. Once you’ve made that adjustment, it’s ready. You just go there, choose it, and you’ll have this time-saving and cost-saving benefit in the setup. It has good efficiency. So, once adjusted, the equipment has good uptime. It performs well too, besides the quick-change feature.” Luis Mota, Project Engineer from Avon

• Pre-set parameters for various materials, helping to streamline the setup process by allowing users to start marking with minimal adjustments.
• Software that is typically designed to be intuitive, allowing users to create designs, adjust settings, and control the marking process with ease. 
• The ability to save settings for specific jobs, which can be quickly recalled for repeat tasks, further enhancing efficiency and user experience.
• Full integration into ERP systems to help reduce laser interactions and operator mistakes during job selection or when entering variable data.

With these advanced yet accessible features, laser systems enable operators to focus on production without the complexities often associated with traditional marking technologies.

Laser marking can occasionally produce defects that impact code quality. Here are the most frequent issues and how to prevent them:

• Reduced contrast or faded marks — often caused by misaligned optics or lens contamination.
• Inconsistent mark quality — resulting from unstable laser power or incorrect settings.
• Surface damage or burn marks — typically due to excessive power or improper focus.

How to avoid them:
1. Regularly clean and inspect optical components
2. Ensure correct laser settings — power, speed, and focus must match the material and desired mark.
“I just set the appropriate height once on the display, and then it adjusts automatically and always fits. The most important thing is the legibility of the text. It’s a definite improvement because with SmartFocus, it’s like a recipe; it’s independent of the bottle size, and the laser more or less takes over the work.” Florian Schmitt from Sodenthaler about the Videojet 3350
3. Schedule preventive maintenance — check and replace worn parts like lenses or filters and inspect alignment.
4. Perform material compatibility testing — substrate type, surface preparation, and laser wavelength all affect mark quality.
5. Leverage expert support and vision verification systems — The Videojet team of experts and automatic inspection systems can help catch issues early.

By following these steps, manufacturers can maintain high-contrast, durable, and regulation-compliant marks—minimizing rework and downtime.

Laser marking systems offer reduced downtime, the elimination of most consumables (both for cost and environmental reasons), permanent marks, and reduced preventive maintenance costs associated with ink-based printers.

“In the manufacturing process, quality, costs and reliability are the most important factors for us. Downtime is expensive and we cannot produce without lasers.”
– Thomas Welte, Design Engineer from IMS Gear

Features like flexible beam turning units that allow for 360-degree rotation and compact marking heads help simplify the installation of many laser marking systems into a wide range of production line configurations, even where space is limited.

Typically, the installation and proper setup of a laser system are carried out by qualified technicians or installation teams, helping ensure that the system is calibrated for optimal performance in a production environment.

Laser marking is used across a wide range of industries for permanent, high-precision coding and engraving. It offers a non-contact, high-speed solution for marking text, barcodes, QR codes, 2D codes, and traceability data on a variety of materials. Below are the most common applications of laser marking:

1. Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging
Laser marking systems are frequently used to apply high-contrast, permanent date codes, batch numbers, lot codes, and expiration dates directly onto primary and secondary packaging materials—such as PET bottles, cartons, labels, and blister packs—without using inks or solvents.

2. Medical device marking
Laser marking provides a permanent and sterile solution for marking surgical tools, implants, and instruments. It is commonly used to apply UDI (Unique Device Identification) codes in compliance with FDA and EU MDR regulations, using techniques like annealed marking to preserve surface integrity.

3. Industrial and automotive parts marking
Laser marking is ideal for applying serial numbers, 2D DataMatrix codes, and part identification on metals, plastics, and composites. Manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and general industrial sectors rely on laser coding to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.

4. Electronics and PCB marking
Electronics manufacturers use laser marking to code printed circuit boards (PCBs), microchips, and electronic components with product IDs, logos, safety labels, and traceability information without damaging sensitive parts.

5. Personalization and branding
Laser technology allows high-resolution engraving of logos, text, and decorative patterns on consumer products, promotional items, and luxury goods such as cosmetics and electronics. This enables both anti-counterfeit protection and customization.

6. Aerospace and defense components
For safety-critical parts, laser marking delivers permanent, legible identification even under extreme environmental conditions.

7. Wood and other organic substrates marking
Laser marking enables high-speed engraving of natural materials for decorative purposes, branding, and batch tracking. Applications include marking on wood panels, cardboard packaging, and fabric labels.

Laser marking plays a critical role in improving product traceability by creating permanent, high-resolution codes that remain readable throughout a product’s lifecycle. Whether marking metal, plastic, glass, or coated packaging, laser marking helps ensure that vital tracking information—such as serial numbers, lot codes, and barcodes—can be applied with speed, precision, and durability.

1. Permanent, non-removable codes
Laser systems create indelible marks that cannot be easily removed, altered, or degraded over time. This permanence is essential for traceability in regulated industries like automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals, where recalls, audits, and compliance rely on long-term product identification.

2. High readability for automated systems
Laser marking delivers high-contrast, precise DataMatrix and QR codes that remain readable by machine vision systems—even after exposure to heat, chemicals, abrasion, or sterilization. This supports automated inspection, real-time data capture, and seamless integration with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) or ERP systems.

3. Enables serialization and unique product identification
Laser coding supports item-level serialization, which helps manufacturers assign a unique identifier to every product or part. This enables unit-level tracking, essential for combating counterfeiting, managing recalls, and complying with industry-specific traceability regulations (e.g., UDI for medical devices, TPD for tobacco products, or DSCSA in pharmaceuticals).

4. Limited consumables – Reduces risk of marking errors
Unlike ink-based technologies, laser marking doesn’t require inks or solvents. This eliminates the risk of smudging, fading, or inconsistent codes, improving data integrity throughout the supply chain.

5. Supports global compliance and supply chain transparency
Laser-marked codes allow products to be tracked across complex global supply chains. From manufacturing and packaging to distribution and retail, stakeholders can access real-time, accurate traceability data for quality control, anti-counterfeiting, and regulatory reporting.

Lasers are safe when critical safety measures such as beam shielding and fume extraction are properly placed.

• Beam shielding is a mandatory requirement that effectively contains the laser beam, significantly reducing the risk of accidental exposure and safeguarding personnel and equipment. It’s a straightforward measure that ensures compliance with safety standards and protects against potential hazards in the workplace.
• Fume extraction is an important element of any laser marking installation, as it removes smoke and particulate debris created during the laser marking process, helping to provide a safe, odor-free environment while keeping the production area clean.

All Videojet lasers are considered Class IV and are recommended to be operated as Class I systems to ensure operator safety. This can be done by installing a beam shield around the point where the laser marks the material. The design, dimensions, and material used to fabricate the beam shield are determined by the type of laser being used. Interlocks are normally included to stop operation if all the elements of the beam shield are not in their proper position. Guarding is the responsibility of the user, but Videojet laser experts are happy to provide guidance on beam shields and, if necessary, provide a complete solution.

In addition to the beam shield, Videojet also recommends the use of fume extractors to ensure operator safety. Fume extractors not only prevent the operators from inhaling fumes produced by the laser marking, but also keep the laser optics clean and help ensure code quality.

Yes, laser marking is widely used to meet industry regulations across sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Its ability to produce high-precision, permanent, and readable codes makes it an ideal technology for regulatory compliance—including requirements set by the FDA, EU MDR, UDI, ISO, and others.

1. UDI compliance for medical devices
Laser marking is fully compatible with the Unique Device Identification (UDI) requirements mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR). It enables manufacturers to apply permanent UDI codes—including alphanumeric identifiers and 2D DataMatrix codes—on surgical instruments, implants, and reusable medical tools using techniques such as annealed or surface marking that maintain sterility and surface integrity.

2. Compliance with pharmaceutical serialization laws
In pharmaceutical production, laser marking supports compliance with global serialization mandates, such as:

• DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act – U.S.)
• FMD (Falsified Medicines Directive – EU)
• Track & Trace requirements in other regions

Laser systems enable precise coding of blister packs, cartons, and labels with required data like GTINs, lot numbers, and expiration dates—without using consumables.

3. Automotive and aerospace standards
Laser marking meets strict traceability standards like AIAG, MIL-STD-130, and AS9100 by delivering permanent, machine-readable part identifiers that survive harsh environmental conditions. These marks are critical for safety, quality audits, and recall management.

4. RoHS and CE marking
Laser coding is also used to apply RoHS, CE, and other compliance marks on electronic components and consumer products, ensuring visibility and permanence without impacting functionality or appearance.

5. Tamper-proof and anti-counterfeit solutions
Permanent laser marks enhance product security and meet requirements for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection programs, especially in high-risk industries such as tobacco, cosmetics, and luxury goods.

Yes, laser marking is considered a very eco-friendly marking technology. Unlike traditional coding methods that use inks, solvents, or labels, laser marking systems use focused beams of light to create permanent marks—eliminating waste, reducing emissions, and lowering energy consumption over time.

1. No inks, solvents, or chemicals
Laser marking does not require consumables like ink cartridges, ribbons, or solvent-based cleaners. This means:

• No hazardous waste generation
• No risk of chemical contamination on sensitive products or surfaces

This makes laser marking a cleaner and safer option for both operators and the environment, especially in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical industries.

2. Reduced packaging waste
By enabling direct coding on products and packaging—such as bottles, cans, cartons, and labels—laser marking eliminates the need for extra labels or printed films. This supports sustainable packaging initiatives and reduces material consumption.

3. Energy-efficient technology
Modern laser systems, especially fiber and UV lasers, are engineered for high efficiency and low power consumption. They deliver fast marking speeds while consuming minimal energy, making them a good choice for high-volume production environments.

4. Lower maintenance and equipment footprint
Laser marking systems require less maintenance compared to inkjet or thermal transfer printers. With no need for frequent parts replacement or fluid refills, manufacturers benefit from:

• Lower operational costs
• Reduced spare parts usage
• Smaller environmental footprint over time

5. Supports corporate sustainability goals
Using laser marking helps companies meet their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and carbon reduction goals, while aligning with industry trends toward eco-friendly, more sustainable manufacturing practices.