About UV Laser Marking

UV lasers are different to other marking lasers such as CO2 and fibre. UV uses high-energy photons to break chemical bonds in materials, a process known as ‘cold processing’, which minimises thermal damage to surrounding areas.

By minimising thermal stress, UV laser marking ensures substrate integrity and reduces the risk of damage, making it an ideal choice for marking sensitive materials where traditional CO2 and fibre lasers may cause undesirable effects.

UV lasers are an ideal coding solution for a diverse range of materials including delicate mono-recyclable films, glass and difficult to mark rigid plastics such as HDPE, LDPE and PP, whilst maintaining the integrity of the product.

Capable of marking human-readable text and logos as well as machine-readable codes such as 2D Data Matrix, QR including GS1, the UVG5 delivers consistent code quality to support traceability requirements.

Mariusz Dabrowski,  Business Unit Manager – Ink & Non-CIJ Technologies, Linx Printing Technologies

  • Mark on a range of materials:  The Linx UVG5 is an ideal solution for permanently coding a range of materials, including delicate mono-recyclable films and difficult to mark rigid plastics.
  • Coding capabilities:  UVG5 can clearly mark  text, numbers, dates, times, barcodes, 2D codes including GS1, graphics and logos
  • High marking speed: Keep up with the speed of your production by coding up to 2000 characters/second; 600m/min.
  • Material integrity: Reduce risk of damage to packaging as the UVG5 laser creates minimal thermal stress on substrates compared to CO2 and Fibre marking.
  • Integrated Focus Shift:  Complete product changeovers quickly with no mechanical adjustments to the production line for different size products
  • Multiple configurations:  Different lens options, laser extension and turning units allow for easy integration into existing lines, even in space restricted areas.
  • Clear interface:  Easy to create, update and revise codes, manage of printing parameters and view job status  with the large colour LinxVision® touch screen, and LinxVision software.
  • Built-in Pilot Laser:  Built-in Pilot Laser eliminates costly product waste by ensuring products are marked in the right place.
  • Reduce errors: Simplify marking distance setup an doperator accuracy with the built-in focus finder.

Applications for UVG5 Laser

Food

High-speed coding on sensitive packaging with clear, high-contrast marks and minimal risk of heat damage.

Extrusion

Achieve fast, consistent coding on continuous lines while preserving product quality and surface integrity.

Personal Care

Deliver precise, high-contrast codes on delicate packaging without compromising appearance or material quality.

Nutraceuticals

Ensure clear, compliant traceability codes at high speeds, with gentle marking on plastic substrates.

Pet Food

Keep production moving with fast, reliable coding that protects packaging and ensures clear traceability.

Perfume

Create premium-quality, high-contrast codes on delicate materials with minimal thermal impact.

Construction

Mark durable, readable codes at speed on a wide range of materials without affecting product performance.

Cable and Wire

Achieve high-speed, precise coding with excellent legibility while maintaining cable integrity.

Packaging

Code a wide range of packaging materials at high speed with clear marks and reduced risk of material damage.

Coding GS1 with UVG5

The Linx UVG5 UV laser coder is well suited to printing GS1 2D codes, delivering high‑precision, permanent marking of Data Matrix and QR formats with excellent readability and contrast to support reliable scanning and traceability.
Its UV “cold processing” technology minimises thermal stress on sensitive materials such as plastics and films, ensuring code quality is maintained even on challenging substrates, while high‑speed performance and consistent marking make it ideal for demanding production environments where GS1 compliance and accuracy are critical.

Linx’s official partnership with GS1 UK reinforces our commitment to delivering trusted, standards-compliant coding solutions. As a GS1 UK-approved provider, our products, including the UVG5 laser, are validated to print GS1-compliant 2D codes with precision and reliability.

Cleaner Coding Backed By Industry Insight

Independent testing by fume extraction experts Donaldson BOFA has shown that UV laser marking generates fewer and smaller particles than some traditional laser technologies. These findings highlight the importance of using a suitable extraction system to help maintain a clean, controlled production environment.

These insights reinforce what Linx customers already experience with the Linx UVG5 — precise, low-impact coding that delivers high-quality results on delicate materials. The UVG5 is fully compatible with a range of industrial extraction systems designed for laser processes.

Learn more about the Donaldson BOFA report on UV laser emissions and extraction best practices

Maximum laser output:4W
Laser tube wavelengths:355mm
Line speed:up to 600 m/min
Maximum marking speed:up to 1200 m/min
Marking area:up to 259 mm x 393 mm
Number of lines of text:only limited by character size and marking field size
Character height:up to marking field size
Print rotation:0-360°
Head mounting options:down (90°), or straight shooter (0°), variable length Beam Extension Units (BEU), 90° Beam Turning Unit (BTU)
Other features:Pilot Laser, focus finder and focus shift, available as standard
Code options:Date, time, static text, variable text, serial numbers, shift codes, increment/decrement (batch count), 1D/2D barcodes, graphics and logos, Julian date, Custom date and time formats, 2D Data Matrix, QR including GS1.
IP rating protection class:IP54 or IP65 (optional)

For full technical specifications, please download the product brochure  

UVG5 datasheet

What is UV laser coding and how does it work?

UV laser coding uses a short wavelength beam to create marks through a photochemical process rather than heat, allowing precise coding with minimal impact on the material.

What are the benefits of UV laser coding compared to CO₂ or fibre lasers?

UV lasers create clear, high-contrast codes while applying less thermal stress, making them ideal for delicate or heat-sensitive materials where product quality must be preserved.

Can the UVG5 keep up with high-speed production lines?

Yes, the UVG5 is designed for high-speed environments, delivering clear, consistent codes even on fast-moving production lines.

What types of materials can the UVG5 code?

The UVG5 can code a wide range of materials, including plastics, films, labels, glass, and flexible packaging—especially those that are difficult to mark with other laser types.

Will UV laser coding damage my packaging or product?

No, UV laser technology minimises heat transfer, helping reduce the risk of warping, melting or discolouration, making it ideal for sensitive substrates.

How does the UVG5 ensure code quality and readability?

The UVG5 produces high-contrast, smooth-edged marks that are easy to read, supporting reliable traceability and compliance.

How reliable is the UVG5 in production environments?

The UVG5 is designed for dependable performance, helping maintain uptime and consistent coding quality with minimal intervention.

Can the UVG5 handle variable data coding?

Yes, it can mark variable information such as batch codes, dates, serial numbers and barcodes accurately and at speed.

What makes UVG5 a good choice for premium or appearance-sensitive products?

Its precise marking process creates clean, high-quality codes without damaging or affecting the look of the packaging, making it ideal for premium products.

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