Laser engraving as a marking technique is suitable for various products from different materials. However, to engrave soft and hard materials, there is a catch. Many people are not familiar with laser engraving and both types of materials.
Generally, the mystery about engraving on hard materials is not as confusing as that of soft materials. Consequently, many marking enthusiasts worry more about marking soft materials than hard ones. Nevertheless, to help you mark either type, this article will introduce both materials and show you the general steps to mark them. It will then introduce several factors you should consider for quality marking without sacrificing productivity.
Soft vs. Hard Materials
Before we go on, we have no doubt you can distinguish between hard and soft materials with ease. However, if you cannot differentiate, below are our definitions of the two types of materials.
· Soft Materials
Our classification of soft materials is mainly for plastic materials such as ABS, Nylon, and Polyethylene. These materials have unique properties, such as thermolabile, and therefore, they are not suitable for some types of laser marking machines.
However, enthusiasts have noted that these materials are compatible with laser engraving machines when denser. Generally, marking soft materials is tough as the laser marking machine emits heat which can damage the product.
· Hard Materials
Hard materials are metals and non-metals such as stones, glass, and ceramics. They are denser and are compatible with selected types of laser engraving. Consequently, knowing the perfect way to laser engrave both types of materials is very important.
Soft Materials & Industry Applications
Below is a practical summary table of typical soft materials, recommended laser types, main application industries, and common engraving issues with solutions.
Material | Recommended Laser Type | Typical Industry Applications | Common Issues / Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
TPU/Silicone | UV/Green Laser | Medical, Personal Care | Prevent burning: use lower power and higher speed |
PE, PP, Soft Plastics | UV Laser | Packaging, Home Appliances | Prone to deformation: fast, multi-pass engraving |
Leather, Fabric | CO₂ Laser | Fashion Accessories, Interiors | Pattern blur: use low speed, shallow engraving |
PI/PET Films | Green Laser | Electronic Labels, Flexible PCBs | Discoloration: control heat input precisely |
Rubber (EPDM, etc.) | UV/Green Laser | Automotive, Industrial Seals | Surface cracks: use low power, fast scan |
Flexible Conductive Film | Green/UV Laser | Consumer Electronics | Local foaming: multi-pass, shallow engraving |
This table helps you quickly identify which laser system best fits your material and application scenario. For detailed process parameters, troubleshooting, and real sample pictures, please contact HeatSign technical support.
Recommended Laser Engraving Parameters & Troubleshooting for Soft Materials
Material | Power Range | Speed Range | Frequency/Passes | Focusing Method | Typical Faults | Troubleshooting & Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TPU/Silicone | 10-25% (UV/Green, e.g. 1-5W) | 150-500 mm/s | 20-50 kHz, 1-3 passes | Fine focus, z=0, spot ≤40μm | Burning/Deformation | Lower power, higher speed, multiple shallow passes, ensure airflow |
PE, PP, Soft Plastics | 10-30% (UV 3-5W) | 200-600 mm/s | 20-40 kHz, 2-5 passes | Fine focus, slightly defocus for thin film | Incomplete Engraving, Discoloration | Increase passes, slightly defocus, check for consistent airflow |
Leather/Fabric | 10-30% (CO₂ 30-60W) | 100-500 mm/s | 500-1000 Hz, 1-2 passes | Fine focus, scan gap ≤0.1 mm | Fading, Charring | Keep low power, high speed, test on sample, mask surface if needed |
PI/PET film | 15-35% (Green 5-10W) | 200-700 mm/s | 20-50 kHz, 1-3 passes | Fine focus, spot ≤50μm | Discoloration, Edge Melt | Reduce power, increase speed, add air assist, use mask/protection film |
Rubber (EPDM) | 10-20% (UV/Green) | 200-400 mm/s | 30-50 kHz, 2-4 passes | Focused, increase Z by 0.1~0.2mm | Surface Cracking, Unclear Mark | Lower power, multiple fast passes, avoid stationary beam, keep material cool |
Flexible Laminates | 10-30% (UV/Green) | 200-500 mm/s | 20-40 kHz, 3-5 passes | Fine focus, test multilayer effect | Bubbling between layers | Use lowest effective power, optimize speed, test on real part, allow cooling |
Notes on Recommended Parameters
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Power: % of rated output (adjust according to actual laser wattage and spot size).
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Speed: Higher speeds reduce heat input. Always calibrate with test patterns.
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Frequency: For pulsed lasers, 20–50 kHz common for UV/green; for CO₂, 500–1000 Hz.
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Focusing method: For thinner, sensitive materials, slight defocusing or air gap can reduce excessive local heating—test for best result per application.
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Passes: Shallow, multiple passes preferred for all softer materials.
How to Engrave on Soft and Hard Products
Before you decide on engraving any material, whether soft or hard, the first thing you should know is the type of laser marking machine you will use. This section will show you this and other things you need to worry about on engraving.
Step 1: Choose the Laser Marking Technology
There are four common types of laser marking technology used in laser engraving. Each type has unique attributes making them suitable for different materials. Below are the four laser technologies and their compatibility with soft or hard materials.
· Fiber Laser Engraving
A fiber laser engraving machine is known for its high wavelength (up to 10000nm) and is suitable for engraving any hard material. The long wavelength means more laser power and lower light absorption, creating deep and permanent markings. Consequently, fiber laser markers are common in the automotive, jewelry, medical, and electronic industries.
Fiber laser engravers are unsuitable for soft materials due to the higher wavelength, as the heat generated can destroy the soft material. However, some enthusiasts recommend it for rush-marking of soft products made from materials such as PVC, PE, and ABS, although the quality is not guaranteed.
· CO2 Laser Engraving
CO2 laser marking machines are the oldest laser markers suitable for non-metallic hard materials such as wood, glass, quartz, and ceramics. They have a long wavelength (sometimes up to 10,600nm). Unlike other laser systems, CO2 laser engraving is unsuitable for marking metals and soft products.
· Green Laser Engraving
Green laser engraving machines run on the cold laser technology, which emits lesser heat than the Fiber and CO2 laser system. Consequently, they are suitable for hard and soft materials, although more compatible with products with reflective surfaces.
They have a low wavelength (about 532nm), promoting absorptivity and low thermal transfer. Consequently, they are an ideal soft product laser engraver.
· UV Laser Engraving
Ultraviolet (UV) laser engraving machines also run on cold laser technology with low wavelength and lower thermal transfer. Consequently, they are also suitable for engraving on soft materials.
They are also fairly accurate due to the high-quality beam. Therefore, they are suitable in the electronic industry (micro-marking circuit boards) and the medical industry (marking measuring cylinders and syringes). There are many types of a UV laser engraver, and you need to understand their properties before knowing how to choose them
· Soft Products: Choosing Between Green Laser Marking vs. UV Laser Marking
You can work with a green or a UV laser marking machine for soft product markings. Both machines have similar properties and are suitable for marking, but you should consider a few things. Before you decide.
UV laser marking machines have focused wavelengths with high beam intensity and minuscule spot size. Consequently, they are precise and suitable for marking up to the micro-level on soft materials.
Green laser marking machines can also produce a clean and readable mark. However, they are better than UV laser engravers since they mark way faster. This is due to their higher wavelength, which grants them more power even though it does not affect the material.
Step 2: Handheld Laser Engraver vs. Traditional Laser Engraver
Although this is not directly linked to soft or hard materials, choosing between a traditional and handheld marking machine can affect your marking productivity.
We would recommend a laser engraving machine with industrial capability yet portable. A handheld laser engraving machine will allow for an easy maneuver, which aids in marking products with complex designs and large sizes. You can check out our laser engraving machines for the perfect one for your product.
Step 3: Choose the Laser Engraving Machine
After choosing the laser marking technology, you want to ensure an effective and efficient engraving process. Below are the factors you need to consider and how they relate to marking soft and hard products.
· Laser Wavelength
The laser wavelength is the amount of energy of a laser beam measured in nanometers. Every laser engraver has its unique wavelength. The shorter it is, the more concentrated the energy, the more light absorbed by the product, and the better the quality of the markings.
Choose a laser marking machine with short wavelengths for soft materials and machines with long wavelengths for hard materials. Using a long-wavelength machine for soft materials can lead to the burning of the product since the energy is not absorbed while using a short wavelength machine for hard materials won’t be effective and efficient.
Shortest Wavelength | 180 – 400 nm | Ultraviolet (UV) Light |
Moderate Wavelength | 400 – 740 nm | Visible (VIS) Light |
Longest Wavelength | 700 nm – 1 mm | Infrared (IR) Light |
· Laser Wattage
To check against productivity, you also need to consider the laser wattage or the laser is power output, as it is a key determinant of the machine’s speed.
Depending on the laser marking technology you are using, you might have different laser wattage. For example, some fiber laser marking machines have 10W to 100W of output power, and consequently, they are very fast and produce deep, permanent marks. Others, such as the green laser engravers, have about 4W to 6W of power output, and consequently, they have slower speeds and shallower marks.
· Repeatability
Another factor you should consider when getting a laser engraving machine is repeatability. This is important if you will be dealing with batch coding, and the machine must support batch coding. Consequently, it would be best to consider machines that fell in the laser coding class.
Step 3: Engrave Your Product
After selecting the laser marking machine for engraving either product, you can proceed with the engraving process. The marking procedure depends on the marking machine, product size, design complexity, and other factors.
While it might be suitable to engrave the materials yourself, most people have found it better to outsource to laser marking services. You can check several marking procedures and machines we provide to our customers.
Key Comparison: UV vs. Green vs. CO₂ vs. Fiber Lasers
Laser Type | Precision / Minimum Line Width | Thermal Impact | Main Applications | Cost Level | Maintenance | Adaptability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UV | Highest (~0.01 mm) | Minimal (cold marking) | All plastics, films, silicon, glass | High | Low (solid state) | Best for ultra-fine & small areas |
Green | Very high (~0.02 mm) | Very low | Almost all plastics, some metals | Medium-High | Medium (optics) | Excellent on reflective/soft |
CO₂ | Good (~0.05–0.1 mm) | Moderate (localized heat) | Rubber, leather, wood, acrylic | Lowest | Moderate (gas tube) | Great for large non-metals |
Fiber | Moderate (~0.05 mm) | Higher (especially on plastics) | Metals, high-temp plastics | Medium-High | Very low (solid state) | Not suitable for most soft plastics |
UV vs. Green Laser Detailed Points:
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UV lasers offer better micro-marking (smaller line widths, lower heat), making them ideal for medical, electronics, and ultra-fine consumer branding applications, but are typically more expensive due to source/optical complexity.
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Green lasers cover a broader range of plastics and are faster, suiting medium-precision, high-throughput work. However, green laser modules require periodic crystal replacement, increasing maintenance. Purchase price is generally lower than UV, but total cost may close over service life.
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CO₂ lasers remain best for thick/organic non-metals and large-area work (leather, packaging, some rubber) with low material cost, but not for intricate or cold marking.
Fiber lasers are only recommended for certain engineering plastics with very high melting points or for flexible metal-plastic layer marking, not for most soft plastics and rubbers, as thermal damage is otherwise likely
Application-Driven Recommendations
If you primarily engrave… | Recommended Laser System | Typical Parameters | Model Recommendation | Key Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical silicone, TPU, or soft rubber | UV laser (3W–5W), Green laser (5W–10W) | Power: 10–30% Speed: 200–600 mm/s Multi-pass shallow engraving | HeatSign HS-UV03, HS-UV05, HS-Green05 | Ultra-low thermal damage, micro-precision, suitable for FDA environments | UV: higher initial cost; Green: slightly higher service/consumables costs |
Automotive rubber tubes, gaskets | CO₂ laser, Green laser | Power: 20–40% (CO₂ 30–60W) Speed: 200–500 mm/s | HeatSign HS-CO2, HS-Green10 | High efficiency for large workpieces, flexible designs | CO₂: best for thick or dark rubber; Green: better for thin/soft or reflective |
Electronic PCBs, flexible films (PI/PET) | Green laser, UV laser | Power: 15–30% Speed: 300–700 mm/s Fine focus | HeatSign HS-Green05, HS-UV05 | Minimal heat, high definition, anti-static capability | UV for micro text/barcode; Green for larger areas |
Consumer goods, soft plastic packaging (PE, PP, ABS, nylon, etc.) | UV laser (3W–5W) | Power: 10–25% Speed: 200–600 mm/s | HeatSign HS-UV03, HS-UV05 | High contrast, no deformation, supports intricate logos | Lower throughput for large batches; best for value-added marking |
Leather, fabric, organic non-metals | CO₂ laser | Power: 10–30% (30–60W) Speed: 100–500 mm/s | HeatSign HS-CO2 | Fast, customizable for patterns/surfaces | May cause subtle darkening/edge charring on some materials |
Mixed soft/hard applications | Dual-system (UV + Fiber) or Green | As above, select based on layer | Contact HeatSign for tailored solutions | Covers both metal parts and delicate soft non-metals | Higher total investment for dual systems |
Final Thought
Engraving either a soft or hard product can be demanding, especially for soft products. Therefore, this article introduced how you can engrave on both types of materials, and it showed the different marking technology you can use and other things you should consider. Below are some take-home points regarding laser engraving soft and hard materials:
- To mark hard materials, use a laser engraving machine with a longer wavelength. For example, fiber laser marking machines are the most common for such scenarios.
- Use a laser marking machine with a shorter wavelength for soft materials to avoid product damage or readability issues
- UV laser marking machine ensures better precision for soft materials due to the shorter wavelength. On the other hand, the green laser marking machine has a better power output marking it more efficient. Both options can create quality marks on soft products
Do you have a problem deciding on the right marking machine? Or peradventure, the process still looks gray to you; why not contact us at HeatSign. You can use our expert services and get the best marking services for hard and soft materials.
FAQs
The guide categorizes materials as 'soft' or 'hard.' What is the key difference, and what is an example of each?
The key difference is their reaction to heat. ‘Soft’ materials, such as plastics like ABS and nylon, are described as thermolabile, meaning they can be easily damaged by heat. ‘Hard’ materials, such as metals, stone, and ceramics, are much denser and can handle higher heat levels.
For engraving on hard materials, which type of laser is recommended and why?
For engraving on hard materials, particularly metals, the guide recommends a fiber laser engraving machine. This is because a fiber laser has a long wavelength, which translates to a higher laser power that is necessary to create deep and permanent markings on these materials.
When marking on soft plastics, which two 'cold laser' technologies are the most suitable?
For soft materials, the guide identifies two “cold laser” technologies that are suitable because they emit less heat. These are the Green laser and the Ultraviolet (UV) laser. Both are recommended to avoid burning or damaging the product.
The table of recommended parameters suggests using 'multiple shallow passes' for all soft materials. Why is this technique preferred?
This technique is preferred because it is a key strategy to prevent heat damage. By using multiple passes with lower power, you can achieve the desired mark depth without applying too much heat to one area at a single time, which is what can cause burning or deformation on soft materials.
What is the main reason a fiber laser is generally unsuitable for engraving soft materials?
A fiber laser is generally unsuitable for soft materials because of the high amount of heat it generates. The guide states that due to its higher wavelength, the heat can easily destroy or damage the soft material, making it a poor choice for these applications.
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