How do we choose a laser engraving marking machine?

In many industries, the wrong choice of machine causes wasted money, poor marks, and lost time. Procurement managers often feel pressure to pick fast, cheap options, but these lead to bigger problems down the line.

The best way to choose a laser marking machine is to match material type, power, and marking area to your product. Fiber works for metals, CO₂ for organics, UV for delicate parts. Wrong choices cause weak, blurry, or wasted marks.

At Kirin Laser, we have helped many partners avoid costly mistakes by aligning machine type with the real demands of their applications. In this guide, I will share key points that I use every time I recommend or select a machine.

How to choose a laser marking machine?

Many buyers start with price as the main factor. This is risky. A cheaper machine that cannot handle your material will create defects, downtime, and customer complaints. The choice must start with understanding what you mark and how often you mark it.

To choose a laser marking machine, you must consider material type, power output, marking area, and production volume. Fiber lasers work for metals, CO₂ for wood or plastics, and UV for delicate parts. Correct selection improves efficiency and reduces costs.

Key factors in machine selection

I always begin with material compatibility¹. Fiber lasers suit metals and alloys, CO₂ is best for wood, leather, and some plastics, while UV lasers handle small, heat-sensitive components. If wavelength does not match absorption, the mark will fail.

Another factor is marking area². If the field lens is too small, you waste time repositioning. If it is too large, you waste money on capacity you do not need. Matching the lens size to your product geometry saves time and money.

When we work with new partners, we always map these points first. This makes sure the investment leads to consistent performance and long-term returns.

What is the difference between a 20W and 30W laser marking machine?

A common question I hear is about wattage. Many think higher power always means better. This is not always true. Choosing power without considering application leads to wasted budget or poor quality marks.

The difference between a 20W and 30W laser marking machine is mainly speed and depth. A 20W machine handles light marks on plastics or metals, while a 30W machine produces deeper, faster marks suitable for industrial production.

Wattage explained

Power defines how much energy is delivered to the workpiece. A 20W fiber laser is good for engraving barcodes or serial numbers on small parts. A 30W fiber laser³ is faster, deeper, and better for continuous runs in high-volume factories.

From my own experience, a tooling shop once struggled with a 20W machine⁴ on hardened steel. The marks faded after machining. When we upgraded to a 30W unit with optimized pulse frequency, the marks stayed crisp, readable, and permanent.

The right power ensures stable results. The wrong power either wastes money on slow work or creates marks that do not last.

What are the two main types of laser engraving machines?

Buyers often get confused by the range of machines. Many terms and models sound alike. But if we reduce complexity, there are two main categories of engraving machines that cover most industrial needs.

The two main types of laser engraving machines are fiber lasers and CO₂ lasers. Fiber lasers are for metals and hard plastics, while CO₂ lasers are for wood, acrylic, leather, and other organic materials.

Fiber vs. CO₂ in practice

Fiber lasers use a solid-state design and deliver high energy density. They produce fast, sharp, and durable marks on metals, alloys, and engineered plastics. Industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics rely on them for serial numbers and logos.

CO₂ lasers use a gas tube. They excel at cutting and engraving organic substrates like wood, glass, and leather. They are common in decoration, packaging, and signage industries.

When buyers try to engrave metals with CO₂, results are poor. Marks look burnt or faint. In contrast, using a fiber laser on wood will char the surface instead of creating a clean mark. Selecting the correct type avoids wasted effort and ensures crisp, permanent results.

How powerful of a laser engraver do I need?

The right power level is critical. Too little power means marks are faint. Too much power means high cost and wasted capacity. The balance depends on your production needs and the materials you engrave.

You need a laser engraver powerful enough to match your materials, mark depth, and production speed. Lower power works for light plastics or small parts, while higher power is needed for metals, deep marks, or high-volume production.

Matching power to need

I advise partners to think first about material hardness⁷ and desired mark depth. Metals often need 30W or more for durable marks. Plastics and organics can use lower power like 20W. High production volume also justifies stronger machines for faster cycle times.

For example, I once worked with a customer marking barcodes on aluminum housings. They started with a 20W system but could not keep up with order volume. Upgrading to a 50W unit⁸ doubled throughput and cut downtime in half.

Choosing power is about balance. The right wattage improves speed, reliability, and return on investment. Too little or too much reduces efficiency and wastes resources.

Conclusion

At Kirin Laser, we believe choosing the right laser marking machine⁹ means focusing on real application needs, not just price tags or generic specs. By aligning machine type, power, and marking area with your materials and production, you avoid costly mistakes and gain long-term value. Our mission is to help partners get precision, efficiency, and reliability in every beam.