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Laser Mark Spray

For many engraving businesses, marking bare metal used to mean spending thousands on a specialized fiber laser. However, laser mark spray has changed the game. It allows your standard CO2 laser to create high-contrast, permanent marks on surfaces from which it would usually reflect. 

This guide explains how these sprays can help you grow your business and reach new industrial markets.

 

Bridging the Gap Between CO2 Lasers and Metal

CO2 lasers naturally struggle with bare metal because the beam tends to reflect off the surface. When you apply a laser mark spray like CerMark, the laser's heat fuses the ceramic material in the spray directly to the metal substrate. This creates a solid, high-contrast mark that is part of the metal itself.

For small shops, instead of buying a fiber laser system, you can use your current CO2 equipment to mark:

  • Stainless Steel
  • Brass
  • Aluminum and other bare metals

Durability for Harsh Industrial Environments

Labels and tags have to survive tough conditions in industrial environments. Stickers peel and screen printing scratches off, but laser spray marking is built to last:

  • Harsh Chemicals: The bond won't dissolve or fade when cleaned.
  • High Temperatures: Ideal for parts that get hot during use.
  • Heavy Abrasion: The mark resists rubbing and physical wear.

Because of this permanence, industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing rely on this method for tracking critical parts.

 

Best Practices for Consistent Results

To get a perfect, high contrast mark every time, you need to focus on how the spray is applied and how the laser is set:

Achieving an Even Coat

Always aim for a thin, even layer. If the spray is too thick, the laser might not heat it enough to bond; if it's too thin, the mark might look faded. Once the laser is done, simply wash away the excess, un-bonded powder with water to reveal your finished design.

 

Using Power Grids to Save Time

Finding the right speed and power settings for your specific laser can be tricky. To make it faster, experts use a “power grid”, which is a test file that runs multiple settings at once.

As shown in the grid, the Y-axis decreases power in increments of 10% from top to bottom (100% power at the top, 30% power at the bottom), while the X-axis increases speed in increments of 10% from left to right (10% speed at the left, 100% speed at the right). By running this one test, you can quickly see which square looks the best and use those exact settings for your final product.

 

Expanding Your Product Offerings

Adding laser mark spray to your toolkit opens up several new products. You can start creating high-value items such as personalized stainless-steel tumblers or industrial asset tags and serial number plates.

 

Contact Jorlink for a Laser Mark Spray Today

If you are ready to start marking metal with your CO2 laser, Jorlink is your partner for success. We provide the marking materials and the technical support to help you get your power and speed settings just right.

 

Contact our experts at Jorlink today!