Natural variation
Grain, density, moisture and colour affect contrast and the appearance of every mark.
CO₂ marking for organic materials
Clean identification on wood, cork and organic materials.
Create permanent logos, serials, production data and traceability marks with a non-contact process that can be automated around your product flow.
Application-led specification
Natural materials need controlled testing.
CO₂ lasers are strongly absorbed by many organic materials, making them suitable for marking timber, cork, leather, paper and related substrates. The process can create a darkened, engraved or ablated result depending on the material and settings.
Natural variation in grain, moisture, colour and finish affects consistency. Sample trials help establish the acceptable process window and the extraction needed for smoke and particulate.
Common requirements
- Logos, branding and decorative marks
- Serial numbers and production identifiers
- Timber, cork, leather and paper applications
- Indexed fixtures or conveyor-fed products
- Local extraction close to the marking point
WoodCorkLeatherPaperLogosSerialsVariable data
SAMPLE TESTINGProve contrast, permanence and readability first.
What we assess
Factors that shape the final system.
The substrate is only the start. A reliable production result comes from matching the laser, optics, material response and line conditions.
Surface finish
Lacquer, paint, oil or coating can change absorption and may create different fumes.
Depth and contrast
Power, speed and line spacing are balanced to achieve the required visual result.
Product handling
Fixtures or conveyor guides maintain a repeatable marking position and focus.
Fire risk
Process control, extraction and fire-risk assessment are important for combustible materials.
Fume control
Smoke, odour and particulate should be captured with application-appropriate extraction.
Sample marking trial
Test the actual product, not a data sheet.
Material colour, coatings, additives, surface condition and line speed can materially change the result. Send representative samples and the code you need. We will use that evidence to guide specification.
Useful trial information: production speed, code dimensions, marking window, product orientation, environment and the quality or verification standard you need to meet.
Typical project scope
- Laser system
- Appropriate CO₂ source, wavelength, lens and scan head.
- Line interface
- Photocell, encoder, I/O and message-management requirements.
- Mechanical
- Mounting, adjustment, guarding and product presentation.
- Environmental
- Fume extraction, ingress considerations and maintainability.
- Handover
- Commissioning, operator training and documentation.
Useful specification guides
Make the next decision with better information.
CO₂ laser marking machine cost UKWhat does an industrial CO₂ laser marking machine cost?Read guide →Laser coding versus inkjetCO₂ laser or inkjet: which coding technology suits your line?Read guide →CO₂ laser wavelength selection9.3, 10.2 or 10.6 µm: which CO₂ laser wavelength?Read guide →2D code laser markingLaser marking QR, Data Matrix and GS1 2D codes.Read guide →UK laser safety and extractionGuarding and extraction are part of the laser system.Read guide →PET bottle laser codingPermanent date and batch codes on PET bottles.Read guide →