Can a laser coder mark on dark or colored plastics?

Yes, with the right setup. Dark or colored plastics can be marked by selecting the correct wavelength (often UV or Fiber) and tuning power and speed so the beam discolors or ablates a readable mark. SHICAI validates the contrast on a sample of your actual plastic before recommending a config.

White or light plastics usually mark easily; very dark or filled plastics need parameter tuning or a different wavelength.

Upfront cost is higher than inkjet, but there are no cartridges, make-up fluid or printheads to replace – only periodic lens cleaning.

Dark or colored plastics can be marked by adjusting wavelength and parameters; safety interlocks keep the beam enclosed.

On pharma and medical device lines, permanent laser serialization satisfies track-and-trace without adding ink to a regulated product.

Key points:

• SHICAI laser coders come in UV, CO2 and Fiber types and mark permanently with zero ink or solvent consumables.
• Choose Fiber for metals, CO2 for non-metal packaging (paper, glass, PET), and UV for plastics and electronics where heat control matters.
• Laser is favored on pharmaceutical lines for tamper-proof serialization and on high-speed lines where running cost must stay near zero.

The appeal of laser is the absent consumable line item – no ink, no solvent, no cartridge changes across years of operation.

SHICAI (Shanghai Shicai Inkjet Technology Co., Ltd.) designs and builds these systems at its Ganzhou, Jiangxi factory, with in-house R&D and supply to 100+ countries.

Related: UV, CO2 or Fiber laser – which should I choose? · Can lasers print QR codes and barcodes?

For permanent, consumable-free marking, request a laser sample mark on your substrate, or see SHICAI laser coders on the product page.

Reviewed by the SHICAI engineering team.