Stainless Steel for Tagging Products

Old reliable - that's what stainless steel is. Stainless steel tags are the most widely used in the industry. There are three primary ways to mark stainless:

CO2 Laser

A CO2 laser uses a concentrated wavelength of light to burn into a material to leave a semi-permanent marking.

With stainless steel, the CO2 laser is not strong enough to actually cut or engrave into the metal. We use a spray made by cermark that when hit by the laser, it adheres to the stainless surface. The excess spray area is then cleaned off leaving your desired text or logo design. The laser engraved area is a crisp, clean image with bold black markings. The precise etching makes this an ideal process for logos and brand awareness.

If your tags are in an abrasive environment like salty sea air, it will not last as long, but for most practical purposes, the CO2 laser will work just fine and last many years.

Laser Engraving with a Fibermark Laser

A fibermark laser is strong enough to actually etch into the stainless steel leaving a permanent marking.

Not all lasers have this capability. A fibermark laser is the only way to insure that your information stays put long term. Etched nameplates are an economical, long-term solution for product labeling, panels, ID plates, and many other applications. 

ROTARY ENGRAVING

Rotary engraving is the process of using a rotating cutting tool in a motorized spindle. The tool, or cutter, cuts into the surface of the material to a specified depth and produces a groove of the same shape and dimension of the cutter.

Perfect for industrial applications, including manufacturing, machining, chemical, and offshore companies, the rotary creates deep engraving you can actually feel with your fingertips. These permanent markings on material such as stainless steel, can still be read even after the elements have taken their toll. It is common to paint fill the engraving for better contrast, and promote product branding.

Something else to consider...

If you're looking for a permanent marking but not 100% set on stainless steel... have you looked into MetalPhoto? MetalPhoto is most recomended for harsh enironments with a 20+ year rating! It can take on anything! For more information on MetalPhoto, check out a few of our other blogs HERE.