FAQs: Why choose laser marking for food packaging?

Sascha Ammesdoerfer
Videojet Director, Market Intelligence

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November 6, 2025

laser marking for food packaging, permanent food packaging codes, food traceability, solutions, sustainable packaging technology, anti-counterfeiting in food packaging

Laser marking technology is transforming the food packaging industry by providing a reliable and efficient method for product coding. Its ability to produce precise, permanent marks makes it a valuable tool for managing product information and meeting industry requirements. This technology plays a key role in supporting product traceability, maintaining safety standards, and protecting brand identity.

One of the primary advantages of laser marking is the permanence of the codes it produces. These permanent codes help ensure that all necessary information, such as expiration dates, batch numbers, and barcodes, remains intact and legible throughout the product’s lifecycle, even under harsh conditions. This level of durability not only helps in maintaining product integrity but also supports compliance with regulatory requirements and builds consumer trust.

What is laser marking and how does it work?

Laser marking technology uses a focused beam of light to create permanent marks on the surface of packaging materials. In the food manufacturing industry, this technology is commonly used to mark expiration dates, batch numbers, barcodes, and other essential product details directly onto the packaging.

The process works by directing the laser beam onto the material’s surface, where the energy causes a physical or chemical reaction that results in a lasting mark that does not damage the package or its contents. This technique is highly accurate and effective across a variety of substrates, including plastics, metals, glass, and paper.

Why is laser marking important for food packaging?

Laser marking on food packaging is a reliable alternative to ink and ribbon-based coding methods. It can create clear, permanent marks directly on packaging materials, reducing the risk of smudging or fading. This durability helps keep essential information, such as expiration dates and batch numbers, legible throughout the product’s lifecycle. Unlike ink-based coding solutions, lasers do not use inks or solvents—eliminating any possibility that these fluids could come into contact with food.

dging or fading. This durability helps keep essential information, such as expiration dates and batch numbers, legible throughout the product’s lifecycle. Unlike ink-based coding solutions, lasers do not use inks or solvents—eliminating any possibility that these fluids could come into contact with food.

Laser marking offers several additional benefits for food packaging:

Traceability

Permanent and precise codes, such as batch and lot numbers, help enable product traceability throughout the supply chain.

Safety

Clear, tamper-resistant marks provide consumers with accurate and accessible product information, supporting safe use.

Brand protection

Laser marking allows manufacturers to add unique identifiers and other security features, helping to distinguish authentic products from counterfeits and protecting the integrity of the brand.

What types of laser marking technologies are used in food packaging?

There are several types of laser marking technologies used in food packaging, including:

CO2 laser marking

Ideal for marking on non-metallic materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, and flexible films.

Fiber laser marking

Suitable for marking on metals, hard plastics, and glass.

UV laser marking

Ideal for marking heat-sensitive materials, flexible films, and mono-material packaging.

What types of food packaging materials can be marked with lasers?

Laser technology can mark a wide range of food packaging materials, including plastic film, rigid plastics, glass, metal, and paperboard. These materials support laser marking for essential packaging details such as:

• Expiration dates – Helping consumers identify product freshness with clear, permanent information.
• Batch and lot codes – Supporting traceability and quality control throughout the supply chain.
• Barcodes and QR codes® – Enabling efficient inventory tracking and product identification.
• Brand logos and graphics – Strengthening brand visibility and protection with durable, high-resolution marks.

Selecting the best laser technology for their packaging materials is a key step for food manufacturers. The chart below compares the compatibility of CO₂, fiber, and UV lasers with different materials, offering a helpful overview to guide initial decisions.

	CO2	Fiber	UV
Flow packs
Bags/pouches
Cartons, paperboard
Plastic bag closures
Glass bottles
Plastic bottles, caps, lids
Aluminum cans and bottles
Cases/boxes

Since materials can respond differently to laser marking, it is essential to conduct testing to confirm that the selected laser technology performs effectively for the specific application.

What are the benefits of laser marking over traditional ink-based labeling in food packaging?

Laser marking offers several advantages over traditional ink-based printing for food packaging. It produces permanent codes, text, and graphics that resist smudging, fading, or removal, contributing to long-term legibility and product integrity. Unlike ink-based methods, laser marking does not require consumables like ink or solvents, helping to reduce waste and lower maintenance costs. The process is also clean and non-contact, making it both efficient and suitable for delicate and varied packaging surfaces. Additionally, laser marking helps food manufacturers reduce their reliance on consumable materials, supporting cost-effective operations and certain sustainability goals.

How does laser marking support food traceability and anti-counterfeiting?

Laser marking helps ensure food traceability and combats counterfeiting by creating permanent, tamper-resistant marks such as batch numbers, lot numbers, and 2D codes directly on packaging. These durable marks remain intact throughout the distribution chain, enabling manufacturers, distributors, and consumers to track a product’s journey from production to purchase while improving transparency and accountability.

For anti-counterfeiting, laser marking allows for the creation of unique, high-resolution identifiers that are difficult to replicate or alter. Features like microtext, intricate patterns, and machine-readable codes can be added to packaging, helping authenticate products and deter counterfeiters. This combination of traceability and security builds consumer trust and supports compliance with regulatory requirements.

How can companies add laser marking to their packaging processes?

To implement laser marking in their packaging processes, food manufacturers should follow these steps:

1. Assess their needs: Determine the specific requirements for marking, such as the type of information to be marked and the materials being used.
2. Choose the right technology: Select the appropriate laser marking technology (CO2, fiber, or UV) based on testing for material compatibility and desired results.
3. Integrate with existing systems: Make sure that the laser marking system can be integrated with their current packaging and production lines.
4. Train personnel: Provide expert training to operators to ensure the equipment is used efficiently and effectively.

With careful planning and the support of laser experts, food manufacturers can successfully incorporate laser marking into their operations, gaining both functional and competitive advantages.

What are the future trends in laser marking for food packaging?

The future of laser marking in food packaging promises exciting advancements that will enhance efficiency, versatility, and sustainability. Key trends to watch include:

Increased automation

As Industry 4.0 technologies advance, laser marking systems will integrate more seamlessly into automated production lines. This will boost speed, accuracy, and efficiency while reducing downtime.

Greater material compatibility

Improvements in laser technology will expand the range of materials that can be marked, including flexible films, coated packaging, and biodegradable materials. This will enable broader adoption across diverse packaging types.

Sustainability

Laser marking already supports sustainability by eliminating consumables like ink cartridges and labels. Future systems will become more energy-efficient, aligning further with global sustainability goals while continuing to reduce environmental impact.

How laser marking supports the future of food packaging?

Laser marking is more than just a coding method—it’s a transformative technology driving innovation in the food packaging industry. With its precision, permanence, and efficiency, laser marking addresses the needs of both manufacturers and consumers in today’s fast-paced market.

Its role in supporting traceability, maintaining product safety, and safeguarding brand identity has made it a valuable part of modern food packaging processes. As the industry continues to prioritize automation and sustainable practices, laser marking is poised to play a central role, offering reliable and forward-thinking solutions for the future. Ask a Videojet expert for help in identifying the ideal laser marking system for your packaging operations.