Start With the Material, Not the Brochure
The material decides the source; the source decides almost everything else. Once the source is right, power and field size follow from your part and your throughput. This guide walks through that logic, then points you to deeper articles on each step.
The Four Sources at a Glance
Fiber marks metals and hard plastics. CO2 marks organics and glass. UV marks heat-sensitive materials with almost no heat. MOPA tunes the pulse for color and fine work. Most buyers need one source; a few need two.
Marking vs Engraving
Marking changes the surface; engraving removes material for depth. Knowing which one your spec really asks for saves a lot of back-and-forth — covered in marking vs engraving.
| Source | Wavelength | Best on | Heat | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 1064 nm | metals, hard plastics | low | IDs, codes, logos on metal |
| MOPA | 1064 nm tunable | stainless color, anodized black | very low | color / fine marking |
| CO2 | 10.6 µm | wood, acrylic, glass, leather | medium | non-metal marking |
| UV | 355 nm | sensitive plastics, glass | minimal | medical, cosmetics, electronics |
Read Next
How laser marking works · marking vs engraving · fiber vs CO2 vs UV · deep engraving · laser vs non-laser methods.
Getting It Right Before You Buy
Send a part, get a sample mark, then quote — that order keeps surprises off the production floor.
Request a Sample Mark · Browse the Source Guides
Related: Fiber Marking · CO2 Marking · UV Marking.
Marking is where small details matter most — the right source type and lens make the difference between a mark that lasts and one that fades. Fiber, UV and CO2 each have their place.
Wang Jiachao — Senior Laser Equipment Engineer, Technical Department Manager · 16 years experience