Laser materials
What laser materials are available? Which laser source is suitable for which material?
Here you can find out everything you need to know if you want to get started with laser engraving.
What laser materials are available?
Materials for laser engraving include wood, plastic, glass, metal and leather, with each material offering different engraving properties and applications. Laser engraving is very versatile and can be used to process a wide range of materials. This allows both precise technical markings and creative, decorative designs to be realized.
Engraving organic materials
Variety of materials
In addition to soft materials such as leather, rubber, silicone, cork, textiles and even food, organic materials also include hard materials such as ceramics (including electrical and medical), glass, wood, marble and granite.
Possible areas of application
Architecture, signage, gastronomy, industry, arts & crafts & creative, cosmetics, medicine, jewelry, signage, mourning, advertising
Engraving plastic
Variety of materials
From acrylic to foam, a wide range of plastics are suitable for laser engraving. Plastic materials are versatile and available in colored or transparent versions.
Possible areas of application
Signage, branding, gifts, industry, marking, cosmetics, medicine, personalization, signage, advertising material
Engrave metal
Variety of materials
Metal is complex: conductive, reactive and made up of chemicals and alloys. We offer you the right solution for your metal engraving: whether aluminum, coated metals, precious metals, (stainless) steel, hard metals and more. Fiber lasers are particularly suitable for processing metals.
Possible areas of application
Energy, Gifts, Industry, Labeling, Arts and crafts, Creative, Aviation, Jewellery, Promotional items
What should not be lasered?
Laser engraving offers numerous possibilities.
However, vinyl and other materials containing PVC and CFCs should not be lasered.
This can damage the laser and endanger your health, as dangerous hydrochloric acid vapors are produced.
Organic materials: Which laser source for which material?
| Laser source | CO2 Galvo | CO2 table | Fiber Galvo | Fiber table | Green | Hybid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics (also electrical & medical) | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking Engraving | No | No |
| Food | Marking | Marking Engraving | No | No | No | No |
| Glass, crystal | Marking | Marking | No | No | No | No |
| Leather | Marking | Marking Engraving Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
| Paper, cardboard, cork | Marking Cutting | Marking Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
| Rubber | Marking | Engraving Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
| Granite, marble | Marking | Marking Engraving | No | Marking Engraving | No | No |
| Textiles | Marking Cutting | Marking Cutting | No | No | No | No |
| Wood (also lacquered) | Marking Engraving | Marking Engraving Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
| Silicone | No | Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
CO2 Galvo
| Laserquelle | CO2 Galvo |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Markieren |
| Lebensmittel | Markieren |
| Glas, Kristall | Markieren |
| Leder | Markieren Schneiden |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Markieren Schneiden |
| Gummi | Markieren |
| Granit, Marmor | Markieren |
| Textilien | Markieren Schneiden |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Markieren Schneiden |
| Silikon | Markieren |
CO2 table
| Laserquelle | CO2 Tisch |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Markieren |
| Lebensmittel | Markieren Gravieren |
| Glas, Kristall | Markieren |
| Leder | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Markieren Schneiden |
| Gummi | Gravieren Schneiden |
| Granit, Marmor | Markieren Gravieren |
| Textilien | Markieren Schneiden |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| Silikon | Schneiden |
Fiber Galvo
| Laserquelle | Faser Galvo |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Markieren |
| Lebensmittel | Nein |
| Glas, Kristall | Nein |
| Leder | Nein |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Nein |
| Gummi | Nein |
| Granit, Marmor | Nein |
| Textilien | Nein |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Nein |
| Silikon | Nein |
Fiber table
| Laserquelle | Faser Tisch |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Markieren Gravieren |
| Lebensmittel | Nein |
| Glas, Kristall | Nein |
| Leder | Nein |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Nein |
| Gummi | Nein |
| Granit, Marmor | Markieren Gravieren |
| Textilien | Nein |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Nein |
| Silikon | Nein |
Green
| Laserquelle | Green |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Nein |
| Lebensmittel | Nein |
| Glas, Kristall | Nein |
| Leder | Markieren |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Markieren |
| Gummi | Markieren |
| Granit, Marmor | Nein |
| Textilien | Nein |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Markieren |
| Silikon | Markieren |
Hybrid
| Laserquelle | Hybid |
|---|---|
| ramik (auch elektrisch & medizinisch) | Nein |
| Lebensmittel | Nein |
| Glas, Kristall | Nein |
| Leder | Nein |
| Papier, Karton, Kork | Nein |
| Gummi | Nein |
| Granit, Marmor | Nein |
| Textilien | Nein |
| Holz (auch lackiert) | Nein |
| Silikon | Nein |
Plastics: Which laser source for which material?
| Laser source | CO2 Galvo | CO2 table | Fiber Galvo | Fiber table | Green | Hybid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) | Engraving | Engraving | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Foam | Engraving Cutting | Engraving Cutting | No | No | Marking | No |
| Laminates | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | No | No |
| PA (polyamide) | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| PC (polycarbonate) | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | No | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| PE (polyethylene), BET | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), acrylic glass | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| POM (polyoxymethylene), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| PP (polypropylene) | Engraving | Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking | Marking |
CO2 Galvo
| Laserquelle | CO2 Galvo |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Gravieren |
| Schaumstoff | Gravieren Schneiden |
| Laminate | Gravieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Gravieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Gravieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Gravieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Gravieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Gravieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Gravieren |
CO2 table
| Laserquelle | CO2 Tisch |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Gravieren |
| Schaumstoff | Gravieren Schneiden |
| Laminate | Gravieren Schneiden |
| PA (Polyamid) | Gravieren Schneiden |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Gravieren Schneiden |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Gravieren Schneiden |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Gravieren Schneiden |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Gravieren Schneiden |
| PP (Polypropylen) | Gravieren Schneiden |
Fiber Galvo
| Laserquelle | Faser Galvo |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Nein |
| Laminate | Markieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Nein |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| PP (Polypropylen) | Markieren |
Fiber table
| Laserquelle | Faser Tisch |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Nein |
| Laminate | Markieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| PP (Polypropylen) | Markieren |
Green
| Laserquelle | Green |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Nein |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| PP (Polypropylen) | Markieren |
Hybid
| Laserquelle | Green |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Nein |
| Laminate | Nein |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| PP (Polypropylen) | Markieren |
Metals: Which laser source for which material?
| Laser source | CO2 Galvo | CO2 table | Fiber Galvo | Fiber table | Green | Hybid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anodized aluminum | Marking | Marking | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Coated metal | Marking | Marking | Marking Engraving | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Aluminum | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Brass | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Carbide | No | No | Marking Engraving | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Copper | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Gold, silver, nickel, platinum | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Stainless steel | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Steel | No | No | Marking Engraving Cutting | Marking | Marking | Marking |
| Titanium | No | No | Marking Engraving | Marking | Marking | Marking |
CO2 Galvo
| Laserquelle | CO2 Galvo |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Nein |
| PA (Polyamid) | Nein |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Nein |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Nein |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Nein |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Nein |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Nein |
CO2 table
| Laserquelle | CO2 Tisch |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Nein |
| PA (Polyamid) | Nein |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Nein |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Nein |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Nein |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Nein |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Nein |
Fiber Galvo
| Laserquelle | Faser Galvo |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren Gravieren |
| Laminate | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren Gravieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren Gravieren Schneiden |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren Gravieren |
Fiber table
| Laserquelle | Faser Tisch |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Markieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
Green
| Laserquelle | Green |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Markieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
Hybid
| Laserquelle | Hybid |
|---|---|
| ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer) | Markieren |
| Schaumstoff | Markieren |
| Laminate | Markieren |
| PA (Polyamid) | Markieren |
| PC (Polycarbonat) | Markieren |
| PE (Polyethylen), BET | Markieren |
| PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat), Acrylglas | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
| POM (Polyoxymethylen), PBT (Polybutylenterephthalat) | Markieren |
Laser engraving: What else do I need?
Laser engraver
Print & Cut
Questions? We are here for you!
Your contacts in laser engraving sales are Nico and Michael (from left to right)
The entire team is available to provide you with expert advice or needs analysis.
Based on your requirements, we work with you to check and advise you individually and in a goal-oriented manner to find the right system for you.
Laser engraving sales
Tel. +49 7223 2815 0
E-mail: lasergravur@printequipment.de
Print Equipment GmbH & Co. KG
Im Stühlinger 10
77833 Ottersweier
Germany
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