Materials / Processes

Our Capabilities

  • Fast marking times to yield high throughput
  • Clean, precise engraving and marking both machine and human readable (2D, UID, UPC, and most bar codes)
  • Convert logos and artwork to graphic files
  • Laser Stain Marking - Made on stainless steel and titanium creating an oxide layer forming a black mark
  • Laser Surface Etching – Slight material removal to create contrast mark
  • Laser Engraving – Deep mark on most any material
  • Laser Cutting – Cut metals, plastics, gasket materials, paper products, wood and more to your specifications
  • Acid Etching
  • PhotoMetals
  • Baked Enamel

Acrylic: Cast Acrylic creates a milky white finish when engraved. It is suitable for indoor applications and comes in a variety of colors. Extruded Acrylic comes in clear, mirror, white or black with gloss or non-glare finishes. It is UV stable and suitable for outdoor uses.

Aluminum: Laser engraving anodized aluminum removes or bleaches the color tint leaving an off-white, smooth mark on the metal. The anodized layer remains intact to protect the metal. The white engraving, or mark, is as permanent as the anodizing itself. Darker colors provide the best contrast. There are also a number of engravers aluminums that come in a variety of colors and engrave metallic gold, silver, white and black. We can also deep engrave into bare or anodized aluminum. Using an open-pore anodized aluminum, we can capture photos, graphics and text through a photometal process.

Brass: In addition to traditional brass, we offer a variety of painted brass and brass-like products that come in a variety of colors and finishes.

Glass: Laser engraving on glass creates a clean, frosted, precision-etched look without putting physical pressure on the glass.

Leather and Fabric: Cutting fabric with a laser produces “sealed” seams without fraying. Multiple layers of fabric can be laser cut into designs that are impossible to achieve with traditional cutting methods. Fabric can also be laser engraved to produce unique effects. Fabric types that work well include denim, satin, silk, suede, vinyl, twill, nylon, Kevlar®, polyester and more. Leather can also be cut and engraved with intricate designs.

Metals: Most metals can be marked, etched or engraved to your specifications. Some bare metals can be laser marked with the use of marking compounds. Anodized aluminum can be directly marked with a laser and the high contrast image produced is ideal for serial tags and identification plates. Some metal types we work with are Alumamark™, anodized aluminum, carbide, coated metals, brass, cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, pewter, stainless steel, steel, titanium and tungsten.

Paper Products: Paper materials including oil board, mat board, cardboard, press board, coated paper and uncoated paper can be laser cut for precision control on curves and tight corners. Papers of varying thicknesses can also be laser engraved to produce unique effects.

Plastics: We can cut and/or engrave a variety of plastics including acrylic, ABS, laminated plastics, Mylar, film, polycarbonate, nylon and more. Laser cutting creates a beautifully finished, clean edge on plastics. Plastics commonly used for laser engraved nameplates and signs include:

Front Engravable Plastics are available in 2-ply 1/16” or 1/8” thickness or 3-ply double sided 1/16” thickness. Many colors are UV stable for outdoor use.

Reverse Engraved Plastics are ideal for when you need a smooth surfaced plate. The engraving is done from the back side and paint-filled the color of your choice.

Color Cast Acrylics are ideal for signage that will really stand out. They are harder and clearer than extruded acrylics, and allow for fine, detailed text and graphics. UV stable.

FlexiBrass is flexible, lightweight, tough microsurfaced impact acrylic. It offers the crisp definition of real brass and other metallic colors. For interior use.

Contemporary Wood collection puts a modern twist on traditional woodgrains. Engineered to match today’s popular designer wood patterns. UV stable, outdoor weatherable.

LaserGlow is specifically engineered to exceed the photoluminescent standards set by many municipalities and organizations. Constructed of non-radioactive material, LaserGlow flexible plastic substrate is the ideal choice for exit, emergency and wayfinding signage.

Textured Surface plastics are durable and resistant to fingerprints. The textures work well for industrial environments and high traffic areas. Outdoor weatherable and UV stable.

LaserLIGHTS plastic is completely flexible at .004 thickness and extremely durable, with excellent exterior properties. Comes with pre-applied adhesive.

click here to view colors and material specs

Rubber: Rubber is an excellent material for laser cutting and engraving. Rubber types we work with include latex, neoprene, silicone and more.

Stone and Hard Materials: Text and artwork can be engraved on stone and man-made materials including marble, granite, soapstone, Corian, tile and ceramic.

Wood: Laser cut and engrave complicated designs, logos and artwork to a variety of woods including balsa, bamboo, cherry, maple, teak, alder, birch, ebony and more.

Metal Marking Compound

Most metals can be laser marked by first applying a marking compound to the metal surface. The laser beam fuses the marking compound with the metal, leaving behind a dark mark (almost black) that does not rub off and is not affected by cleaners and solvents. In an experiment, stainless steel tags were marked and immersed in the following test solutions for one week.

Solution Effect

Organic Solvents:

  • Gasoline no effect
  • Limonene no effect
  • Methyl Ethyl Ketone no effect
  • N-Butanol no effect
  • Mineral Spirits no effect
  • Xylene no effect
  • Acetone no effect
  • Propylene Carbonate no effect
  • Ethanol no effect
  • DMSO no effect
  • Motor Oil no effect

Acid / Bases:

  • Nitric Acid 68% no effect
  • Acetic Acid 99.5% no effect
  • Hydrogen Peroxide 30% no effect
  • Sodium Hydroxide 25% no effect
  • Ammonium Hydroxide 20% no effect
  • Hydrochloric Acid Dissolved 30% of the tag, but left the mark unaffected
  • Sulfuric Acid slightly discolored the mark

Other:

The mark was not affected when boiled in water or frozen in liquid nitrogen. When the mark was heated by propane flame until red-hot and immediately plunged into liquid nitrogen, the metal tag discolored but the mark was unaffected.

The mark can be removed by grinding, sandblasting or resurfacing the metal

Power Coated Metals

Laser engraving removes the powder coating, exposing the bare metal beneath. Stainless steel and aluminum provide a bright legible contrast. Standard cold rolled, galvanized and mild steel have a dull contrast and are not recommended.

Laser engraving powder coated metals is ideal for black and white text and/or graphics. Grayscale works for some artwork. It is recommended, but not necessary, to clear coat after engraving to maintain a bright, shiny appearance.

Photometals

Photometals is an anodized aluminum media that has been coated with silver salts much like old “tin type” technology in early photography. Photometals capture crisp, minute detail, even photographs. The image is captured in the metal, rather than on the metal which gives it excellent resistance to solvents, some chemicals and UV. Once film is generated for the graphic required, it can be used over and over as pieces are needed. Photometals is available in thicknesses from .003” to .125” thick with satin or matte finishes. This process is often used in UID/Barcodes/Property Tags, Industrial Nameplates, Architectural Signs and Etched Metal Parts.