Laser Marking Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Find laser marking machine manufacturers and suppliers on Towobo. Compare CO₂ laser coders, fibre laser markers, and UV laser marking systems for permanent date coding, batch coding, and traceability marking on glass bottles, PET bottles, cartons, flexible film, metal cans, and other packaging materials.

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Laser coding technology and substrate compatibility

Laser coding and marking machines use a focused laser beam to create permanent marks on packaging materials by ablation (removing a surface layer), colour change (altering the surface chemistry), or engraving. Unlike inkjet coding, laser coding requires no consumables (inks, solvents, or ribbons) and produces a fully permanent mark that cannot be wiped off or removed in normal handling. The three main laser wavelengths used in packaging coding are: CO₂ laser (10.6 μm wavelength) — the most widely used in packaging; CO₂ lasers mark effectively on glass, cardboard, paperboard, paper, wood, coatings on plastics, and HDPE plastics; they are the standard for date coding glass bottles, coding on outer carton/paperboard, and scoring or perforation of packaging materials. CO₂ lasers do not mark uncoated PET or clear PP directly without causing melting. Fibre laser (1.06 μm wavelength) — the standard for marking metal substrates (aluminium, tinplate, steel) and dark pigmented plastics; fibre lasers mark metals by oxidation or ablation, producing high-contrast permanent marks; used for metal cap coding, can end marking, and date coding on metal packaging. UV laser (355 nm wavelength) — used for cold marking on heat-sensitive materials; UV lasers can mark clear PET and other plastics cleanly without melting or distortion; used for direct marking on PET bottles, pharmaceutical blister packs, and high-resolution coding applications where the other wavelengths cause surface damage.

Laser coding technology and substrate compatibility

Frequently asked questions

Can a CO2 laser code directly on a PET bottle?

A standard CO₂ laser will cause thermal damage (melting, whitening, or distortion) on uncoated clear PET because PET absorbs CO₂ laser energy as heat. For coding on PET bottles, two approaches are used: a UV laser (355nm) can mark clear PET directly and cleanly; or the PET bottle can be given a laser-receptive coating or label during manufacture that the CO₂ laser then ablates to reveal the code. For coding on coloured or opaque PET bottles (where a thin surface coating or pigment is present), a CO₂ laser may mark adequately. Test the specific bottle material and laser combination before specifying for production.

What is the running cost of a laser coder compared to an inkjet coder?

A laser coder has very low running cost because there are no consumables — no ink, no solvent, no cartridges. The main operating costs are electricity (typically 100–500W), periodic laser source replacement (CO₂ laser tubes have a rated life of 20,000–45,000 hours; fibre laser sources typically last 100,000 hours), and any fume extraction consumables. An inkjet CIJ coder requires ongoing ink and solvent purchases — typical ink and solvent cost is £3,000–£10,000 per year per machine depending on throughput. Over a 5–10 year operational period, the lower running cost of a laser coder often justifies the higher capital purchase price compared to a CIJ coder.

Does laser marking comply with food safety regulations for food contact packaging?

Laser coding does not introduce any foreign substances (inks, solvents) into the food production environment — this is one of its food safety advantages. However, laser ablation of some packaging materials produces combustion byproducts and particles. The laser marking system must be installed with appropriate fume extraction to prevent these particles from contaminating the product or the production environment. Material compatibility should be confirmed with the machine supplier for the specific packaging substrate in use.

Laser Marking Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Laser coding technology and substrate compatibility

Laser Marking Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Laser coding technology and substrate compatibility

Advantages over inkjet, integration, and sourcing

Frequently asked questions

Can a CO2 laser code directly on a PET bottle?

What is the running cost of a laser coder compared to an inkjet coder?

Does laser marking comply with food safety regulations for food contact packaging?

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