Laser marking machines should not be confused with office laser printers that use the laser beam to fuse the ink toner onto the paper. These markers use the laser beam to actually burn and etch characters and images into the surface of the material they are marking. As a result, they have several characteristics that set them apart from inkjet markers:

- more expensive to buy (typically starting at around £10,000)
- cheaper and cleaner to run since there are no consumables and no waste
- higher quality output
- faster start-up procedure
- slower process
- since the process burns through the surface, the chemical composition of the material may be changed and the marked colour cannot be controlled
- units are generally self-contained but bigger and more reliable than inkjets.

Laser marking machines usually have different power ratings (typically 10, 30, 60 or 100 watts). These determine the speed of output rather than any other capability and faster machines tend to be bigger. Before buying a machine, therefore, it is important to assess your throughput needs as well as making sure the laser will successfully and clearly mark your material. This will determine both the type and size of device you need.

Please browse our website for details of our Macsa laser marking machines.