Laser engraving and marking
A focused fibre laser removes or discolours a controlled depth of surface material, writing a permanent mark directly from a vector file.
- Tolerance
- ±0.01 mm positional
- Min. wall
- Marks 0.005–0.1 mm deep
- Tooling
- None — file setup only
- Batch fit
- 1–50,000 pcs
How it works
A focused fibre laser removes or discolours a controlled depth of surface material, writing a permanent mark directly from a vector file.
Brand logos, size and material stamps, serial numbers, personalised text are the work this route is chosen for. It runs on 316L stainless steel, Titanium, Brass, 925 silver and suits 1–50,000 pcs.
01Brand logoVector file straight to mark, no tooling 
02Size & material stampSize and alloy inside the band 
03Serial numberSequential, one file drives the run 
04Personalised textVaries piece to piece at no extra setup
Swipe · 4 styles
Production steps
Each step below is a separate labour operation, and labour is priced per operation rather than per piece. That is why a 6-step route costs what it does.
- 01Artwork prepared as a vector file
- 02Test mark on a sample piece to set power and speed
- 03Parts jigged for repeatable positioning
- 04Marked one at a time or in a gang fixture
- 05Ultrasonic clean
- 06Inspection against the approved sample
Process parameters
These are engineering properties of the process itself. They hold at any competent factory and can be checked against a manufacturing reference.
| Dimensional tolerance | ±0.01 mm positional |
|---|---|
| Minimum wall / section | Marks 0.005–0.1 mm deep |
| Tooling cost | None — file setup only |
| Suited to | 1–50,000 pcs |
| Cycle time | Seconds per piece |
| Materials accepted | 316L stainless steel, Titanium, Brass, 925 silver |
Tooling ranges are industry-typical. A firm figure is quoted against your CAD file — see the cost breakdown.
Engraving vs Stamping
Engraving needs no tooling and can be varied piece to piece, which makes it the only route for personalisation; stamping is cheaper per piece for a fixed mark at volume.
Compare with stamping →Materials and categories this suits
Process, material and product category are one decision seen from three sides. These are the combinations that actually work.
| 316L steel | ASTM A276 / EN 1.4404 |
|---|---|
| Titanium | ASTM B348 Gr.2 / Gr.5 (Ti-6Al-4V) |
| 925 silver | ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness) |
| Brass | ASTM B36 / EN CW508L |
| Necklaces & Pendants | Personalised text and coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bracelets & Bangles | Interior engraving on cuffs |
| Cufflinks & Men's | Logos, initials, dates |
What to watch out for
Laser engraving and marking — buyer questions
Each answer stands alone and can be read without the rest of this page.
What tolerance can laser engraving and marking hold?
Laser engraving and marking holds ±0.01 mm positional on production parts, with a minimum wall or section of Marks 0.005–0.1 mm deep. A focused fibre laser removes or discolours a controlled depth of surface material, writing a permanent mark directly from a vector file. Tighter tolerances than this normally mean a secondary machining operation rather than a change to the primary process.
How much does tooling cost for laser engraving and marking?
Tooling for this route is none — file setup only, quoted as a one-off line and invoiced separately from the unit price. The buyer owns the tooling and it is not charged again on a reorder. Full tooling ranges for every route are on the manufacturing cost page.
What order quantity does laser engraving and marking suit?
This route suits 1–50,000 pcs. Below that range the setup cost dominates the unit price; above it, a different route is usually cheaper per piece. Engraving needs no tooling and can be varied piece to piece, which makes it the only route for personalisation; stamping is cheaper per piece for a fixed mark at volume.
Which metals can be processed this way?
316L stainless steel, Titanium, Brass, 925 silver. Engraving after plating cuts through the coating and exposes the base metal at the mark. Mark before plating unless the exposed line is a deliberate design feature.
Engraving or stamping — which is right for my design?
Engraving needs no tooling and can be varied piece to piece, which makes it the only route for personalisation; stamping is cheaper per piece for a fixed mark at volume.
Not answered here? All buyer questions →
Quote a engraving run
Send the CAD file or a sketch. You get the tooling cost as its own line, the unit price at your quantity, and a straight answer on whether engraving is the right route for the design — we will say so if it is not. Production runs in Qingxi, Dongguan, Guangdong.
- 01Reply within one working day, Guangdong business hours.
- 02Itemised cost sheet — mold quoted separately, not folded into the unit price.
- 03NDA on request before any file is shared.