Laser Marking Machines That Never Run Out of Ink

What is a Laser Marking Machine?

A laser marking machine is an industrial coding system that uses a focused laser beam to create a permanent mark on a product, package or component. Instead of using ink, the laser changes the surface of the material to produce a readable code, such as a date code, batch number, serial number, barcode, QR code, DataMatrix code or logo.

Laser marking machines are commonly used in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, electronics, automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing environments where code quality, traceability and long-term durability are important.

• Permanent marks— resistant to heat, chemicals, abrasion, and tampering
• No ink or solvents— zero consumable costs after installation
• Non-contact process— no mechanical wear, no product contamination
• GS1-compliant 2D barcodes— scannable, traceable, regulation-ready
• Works on plastics, metals, glass, ceramics

Three Types of Laser Marking Technology

Not all lasers are the same. The right type depends on your material and marking requirement. Here’s how to think about it.

Which Laser Marking Machine is Right for Your Material?

Material or substrate	Recommended laser type	Recommended Linx option	Buyer guidance
Paperboard and cartons	CO₂	CSL10 or CSL30	Good for date codes, batch numbers, barcodes and packaging identification.
Paper labels	CO₂	CSL10 or CSL30	Suitable where a clean, permanent code is needed without ink or label overprinting.
Glass bottles and containers	CO₂	CSL10, CSL30 or CSL60	Choose based on speed, mark quality and line environment. Sample testing is recommended.
PET bottles and plastic packaging	CO₂ or UV	CSL10, CSL30 or UVG5	CO₂ may suit many PET applications; UV may be better where heat impact or substrate sensitivity is a concern.
HDPE, LDPE and PP	UV or CO₂ depending on application	UVG5 or CSL60	UV is often preferred for difficult or sensitive plastics; high-power CO₂ may suit specific high-speed applications.
Flexible films and mono-recyclable films	UV	UVG5	Useful where mark quality is needed with minimal thermal stress on the substrate.
Metal components	Fibre	FSL20 or FSL50	Best for permanent, high-contrast traceability codes, serial numbers and DataMatrix codes.
Packaging foils	Fibre	FSL20 or FSL50	Suitable for permanent coding where ink adhesion or durability may be an issue.
Rubber	CO₂ or fibre depending on mark requirement	CSL30, CSL60, FSL20 or FSL50	Test the substrate to confirm contrast, permanence and speed.
Small industrial parts	Fibre	FSL20 or FSL50	Good for compact codes, part identification, logos and traceability.
Pharmaceutical cartons and labels	CO₂ or UV	CSL10, CSL30 or UVG5	Choose based on packaging material, code size, readability and serialisation needs.
Delicate plastics	UV	UVG5	Best when maintaining substrate integrity and code clarity is important.

Laser Marking Machines — Full Range

Quick Laser Marking Product Selector

Your requirement	Recommended Linx laser marking machine	Why
Compact CO₂ laser for everyday packaging codes	CSL10	Good starting point for date codes, batch codes, barcodes, QR codes and logos on common packaging substrates.
Flexible CO₂ laser for mixed packaging formats	CSL30	More configurable option for manufacturers with different packaging materials, line speeds and code requirements.
High-speed CO₂ laser for demanding lines	CSL60	Higher-power option for complex codes, hard-to-mark materials and demanding production environments.
Permanent marking on metal or foils	FSL20 or FSL50	Fibre laser technology is better suited to metal, harder plastics, foils and industrial traceability applications.
Higher contrast on delicate plastics or flexible films	UVG5	UV laser marking helps reduce thermal stress and protect sensitive substrates.
GS1, QR or DataMatrix coding	CSL10, CSL30, CSL60, FSL20/FSL50 or UVG5 depending on material	The code type matters, but the substrate should drive the laser choice first.
Unsure which machine fits	Sample testing recommended	Testing confirms mark quality, contrast, readability and substrate compatibility before purchase.

How to Choose your Laser Marking Machine in 4 Steps

Step 1: Identify your substrate	Start with the exact material, coating and colour. A white carton, clear glass bottle, metallised foil and black plastic component will all react differently.
Step 2: Define your code	A simple date code has different requirements from a small DataMatrix code, a GS1-compliant 2D code or a logo.
Step 3: Confirm production speed	Line speed affects laser power, lens choice, marking time and code complexity. High-speed beverage or extrusion lines may need a different setup from slower batch production.
Step 4: Test the mark	The safest way to choose a laser marking machine is to test your real product or packaging material before you buy.