Can lasers print QR codes and barcodes?

Yes. SHICAI laser coders mark QR codes, DataMatrix and 1D barcodes by ablating a high-contrast pattern on the surface, scannable at POS and on the line. Resolution and mark contrast depend on material and wavelength, so a sample is verified for readability before a line is committed.

On metals and some plastics the contrast is excellent; on others a surface treatment or UV wavelength improves it.

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: Can a laser coder mark on dark or colored plastics? · UV, CO2 or Fiber laser – which should I choose?

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.