Industrial Laser Marking Service Bureau · Twin Cities, MN
Laser-engraved barcodes, Data Matrix codes, QR codes, and serial numbers directly on the part. No labels to fall off. No ink to fade. Permanent from day one.
No minimum order. Same-business-day quotes. Works on metal, plastic, and coated surfaces.
Direct part marking (DPM) means the identifier is engraved, etched, or annealed directly into the surface of the component — not printed on a label that gets stuck to it. The result is a mark that survives the full life of the part: handling, cleaning, heat, chemicals, and decades in the field.
Labels peel. Ink fades. Adhesive fails in harsh environments. For traceability that holds up — in aerospace, defense, industrial automation, and medical manufacturing — DPM is the standard. When a regulator or customer scans that part ten years from now, the mark will still be there.
If your parts need to meet any of the following, DPM is likely required or strongly preferred:
If it can be scanned or read, we can mark it. Most orders include a machine-readable code plus a human-readable equivalent — so operators can read it and scanners can verify it.
Code 39, Code 128, ITF-14. Serial numbers, part numbers, lot codes. Simple, widely scanned.
The standard for DPM. High data density in a small footprint. Required by FDA UDI and many defense specs. Reads even when partially damaged.
Large data capacity. Links to documentation, inspection records, or product pages. Readable by any smartphone.
Serial numbers, date codes, lot numbers, part numbers, revision levels, manufacturer ID. Often combined with a machine-readable code on the same mark.
Compact 2D code without a quiet zone requirement. Used in aerospace and defense when space is extremely limited.
Company logos, certification marks, or custom artwork engraved directly on the part. Common for branded hardware and OEM components.
Laser DPM works on most industrial metals and many engineering plastics. The process — engraving, annealing, or ablation — is selected based on your material and whether surface integrity needs to be preserved.
| Material | Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel (303, 304, 316L) | Annealing or engraving | Annealing leaves no crater — preferred for medical and cleanroom parts |
| Carbon steel, tool steel | Engraving | Deep engraving for high-contrast marks on dark surfaces |
| Aluminum (bare and anodized) | Engraving or ablation | Ablation through anodize reveals bare aluminum for high-contrast white mark |
| Titanium (grade 2, 5, 23) | Annealing or engraving | Oxide-color marks or deep engraving; passivation layer preserved with annealing |
| Brass, copper, bronze | Engraving | Works well for serial and part number marking on fittings and connectors |
| Coated/painted surfaces | Ablation | Mark through coating to base metal; verify with sample first |
| Engineering plastics (Delrin, nylon, ABS) | Ablation or foaming | Results vary by material; send a sample or drawing and we'll advise |
Not on the list? Send us your drawing or a sample part. We'll advise on the right process — and tell you straight if it's not a good fit.
Label-based identification works fine in a warehouse. It doesn't work fine on a part that runs at 300°F, gets steam-cleaned between uses, or spends 20 years in the field.
We quote from drawings or sample parts. Let us know the material, mark type (Data Matrix, barcode, text, etc.), and your annual quantity estimate. We'll respond same business day.
Or call: (612) 446-5488
