One of the issues faced by manufacturers is the permanent labeling of products both for brand identification and safety of the product end user. Throughout the years various methods of etching or engraving have been tried with mixed laser engraver results. Engraving by various methods has proven to be one of the best methods of permanently marking various products from wood to metal. In recent years, development of advanced techniques have led to improved accuracy and uniformity of the laser etching process.
Even now, there is a variance in the quality of the results due to the quality of the equipment utilized in the process. Higher quality results, as might be expected, can be anticipated through the use of the most advanced equipment and techniques. Standard Laser Engraving techniques can provide satisfactory results for most uses, but more advanced equipment may be required if the high quality results are demanded. Fine engraving on a gun, for example, would require more sophisticated equipment than engraving a dog tag for identification purposes. Differently shaped surfaces also affect the level of sophistication of equipment that is required to obtain satisfactory results. A curved surface would logically provide a more difficult engraving problem than a flat one.
Engraving of all types requires that a careful analysis of the product to be engraved, the quality required, and the cost of various options all be considered prior to making any decisions. Conferring with providers of the service is recommended to understand what options are available and what the financial ramifications of each option might be.
While some options will be decidedly less expensive than others, meeting the expectations of the end user must be a primary factor in making any decisions relating to the type of process chosen for the engraving. From a business standpoint, the best engraving process must be selected to meet the requirements of the end user and still provide a reasonable profit margin for the producer. While standard may be acceptable for most uses, if the end result must meet more advanced standards, all parties involved in the decision making process must agree on the standards to be met.