Permanent marking of plastics by laser engraving
Plastic promotional items, plastic signs or industrial parts can be engraved permanently, tamper-proof and in high quality with the laser beam. Due to the great flexibility and the short set-up times for laser engraving on plastic, we can also engrave small batch sizes for you at a reasonable price. Engraving on trophies made of acrylic glass also delivers impressive results thanks to the high-contrast, noble milky white appearance.
Plastic engraving - advantages that are memorable
Precise
By engraving plastic, even the smallest details of motifs can be immortalized on your promotional item or cleanly sealed cut edges can be achieved during laser cutting.
Durable
Durable laser marking on a wide variety of plastic types means your logo, serial number or lettering will last because the laser marking is resistant to abrasion, sunlight and solvents.
Exclusive
With laser-engraved logos, you enhance your advertising material with durability and exclusivity.
Laser marking on industrial parts and acrylic awards
Plastics are more or less suitable for laser marking, depending in particular on the exact material composition of the industrial part, award or advertising material.
We have basically classified the following plastic types as machinable:
- Polyamide (PA)
- Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Polyester (PES)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polyimide (PI)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS)
Laser cutting of acrylic sheets
While the CO2 laser mostly produces a laser engraving without contrast on plastic, the YAG laser achieves contrasts by color change or foaming. Here, the associated material removal is minimal. This means that the mechanical properties – especially the strength of the material – are retained as far as possible.
By means of the laser beam it is also possible to cut acrylic sheets up to a maximum thickness of 6 mm into your individual shape. This is how we create your very own custom tabletop display or plastic sign according to your needs. More complex shapes are also feasible.
The following plastics can be cut by laser: Acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyethylene.
Plastic engraving - technology and effects
- When engraving by a laser beam, the top layer of the plastic is removed, the laser vaporizes the material and the inscription becomes tangible.
- In the thermal modification method, the laser beam melts the plastic, creating small gas bubbles that become trapped in the cooling material. This process is also called “foaming“. This allows bright laser markings to be produced on dark plastics.
- If you want to achieve a dark laser marking on light plastics, the color change effect is chosen. In the process, the laser burns individual components of the plastic – this gives the motif the color of the core material. The color change depends on the pigment composition of the plastic and the color of the base material.
Some types of plastics cannot be engraved because heating melts the material. In this case we recommend UV direct printing or our Visdome 3D stickers.
Practical examples for laser marking of plastics
Three advantages that are imprinted in plastic
1. precise
By engraving plastic, even the smallest details of motifs can be immortalized on your promotional item or cleanly sealed cut edges can be achieved during laser cutting .
2. resistant
Durable laser marking of a wide variety of plastics ensures that your logo, serial number or lettering remains permanent, because the laser marking is resistant to abrasion, sunlight and solvents.
3. exclusive
With laser engraved logos you enhance your advertising material with durability and exclusivity.
Versatile applications of plastic engraving
Technical info about plastic engraving
While the CO2 laser mostly produces a laser engraving without contrast on plastic, the YAG laser achieves contrasts by color change or foaming. Here, the associated material removal is minimal. This means that the mechanical properties – especially the strength of the material – are retained as far as possible.
What effects can be achieved on plastics using laser marking?
- When engraving by a laser beam, the top layer of the plastic is removed, the laser vaporizes the material and the inscription becomes tangible.
- In the thermal modification method, the laser beam melts the plastic, creating small gas bubbles that become trapped in the cooling material. This process is also called “foaming“. This allows bright laser markings to be produced on dark plastics.
- If you want to achieve a dark laser marking on light plastics, the color change effect is chosen. In the process, the laser burns individual components of the plastic – this gives the motif the color of the core material. The color change depends on the pigment composition of the plastic and the color of the base material.
What does laser cutting mean?
We most often use this laser application when cutting acrylic sheets for special shapes of trophies or table displays or for cutting plastic signs. More complex shapes are also feasible up to a thickness of 6mm.
The following plastics can be cut by laser: Acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyethylene.
Impressions from our production
Engraving a coated plastic film
Laser cutting of the engraved plastic film
Use as self-adhesive signs
What are the maximum dimensions possible?
- For flat surfaces, we can produce laser engravings up to a size of approx. 40 cm x 60 cm on plastics.
- The height of engraved letters on plastics should be at least 3 mm to maintain legibility of the writing.
- For rounded surfaces, the size of the possible engraving is based on the thickness of the rounding. Hold a ruler to the curve – the maximum distance between the glass and the ruler must not exceed 2 mm, otherwise the laser engraving will be blurred.
Which materials are suitable for laser marking on plastics?
Plastics are more or less suitable for laser marking, depending in particular on the exact material composition.
The following plastic types were basically classified as machinable:
- Polyamide (PA)
- Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Polyester (PES
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polyimide (PI)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS)
What do I do if my product is not suitable for art engraving?
Some types of plastics cannot be engraved because the heating melts the material. In this case we recommend UV direct printing or our Visdome 3D stickers.
Your contact persons
Use our contact form or send your request directly to the respective contact person. Or just give us a call.
We will be happy to advise you – honestly!
Stephan Paccagnel
