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Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV: Which Laser Marker Should I Choose?

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Laser Marking , Laser Etching , Laser Cleaning

Lasers can mark and process a wide variety of products, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer for every application. Fibre, CO₂ and UV laser markers perform differently depending on the application and material.
Here's a brief overview of Fibre, CO₂ and UV laser technology. We've also included some sample marking videos that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each system.

Fibre, CO₂ and UV Laser Basics

The most important difference between Fibre, CO₂ and UV laser markers is the wavelength of light they produce.
Short wavelengths typically have more energy and a higher absorption rate than long wavelengths. As a result, a laser's wavelength affects its ability to mark certain materials.

The features of and marking examples for the different wavelength types are introduced below.

The wavelength of UV laser: 355 nm, the wavelength of fibre laser: 1090 nm, the wavelength of CO₂ laser: 10600 nm.

Light wavelength distribution map

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What are Fibre Lasers?

Fibre lasers have a 1090 nm wavelength, making them IR (infrared) lasers. Fibre lasers can mark a wide range of materials, though they are optimised for metal marking applications. Their high power makes them perfect for annealing and engraving applications, but they cannot mark transparent objects since IR light passes straight through.

Light wavelength distribution map

Engraving (Painting After Marking)

Vehicle body frame

Black-Annealed Marking

Bearing

High-Speed 2D Code Marking

Engine block

Etching

Key cylinder

Laser Cutting

Aluminium board

Burr Removal

Frame IC

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What are CO₂ Lasers?

CO₂ lasers have 10x the wavelength of standard wavelength systems. They're great at marking paper, resins, wood, rubber and transparent materials (like glass and PET). However, it's nearly impossible to mark metal with a CO₂ laser marker because the laser light is not absorbed.

Light wavelength distribution map

Cartons

Bottles

Design marking

Glass wafers

Weatherstripping

Electronic PCBs

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What are UV Lasers?

UV lasers use a highly absorbable wavelength (355 nm) to mark parts. This high absorption rate allows UV lasers to perform "cold marking" (i.e. marking without extra heat stress). As a result, UV lasers are ideal for applications that require high-contrast or minimal product damage.

Light wavelength distribution map

Multicolour automotive relays

Earbuds

Chemical bottles

Copper lead frames

Steel tools (scissors, etc.)

Food packaging film

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Fibre, CO₂, and UV Laser Marking Comparison

These videos compare Fibre, CO₂ and UV laser marks on different materials.

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Metal (Iron)

Fibre Laser: Highly visible marking is possible
CO₂ Laser: Marking isn't possible because iron doesn't absorb CO₂ laser light
UV Laser: Damage-free marking is possible but the contrast is low (compared to the fibre laser mark)

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Metal (Copper)

Fibre Laser: Marking may not be possible because copper is highly reflective and doesn't easily absorb Fibre laser light
CO₂ Laser: Marking isn't possible because copper doesn't absorb CO₂ laser light
UV Laser: High-contrast, damage-free marking is possible because copper easily absorbs UV laser light

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Resin (PE)

Fibre Laser: Fibre laser light reacts with the pigments in the resin to produce high-contrast marks
CO₂ Laser: CO₂ laser light creates non-contrast marks and causes the resin's surface to swell
UV Laser: UV laser light reacts with the pigments in the resin to produce high-contrast, damage-free marks

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Cartons

Fibre Laser: Marking isn't possible because the carton doesn't absorb Fibre laser light
CO₂ Laser: CO₂ laser light burns the surface of the carton to produce marks
UV Laser: The paper on the carton absorbs UV laser light, resulting in high-contrast marks

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Transparent Targets (POM)

Fibre Laser: Marking isn't possible because clear plastic doesn't absorb Fibre laser light
CO₂ Laser: CO₂ light uses heat to produce marks
UV Laser: Marking may not be possible because clear plastic (POM) doesn't absorb enough UV laser light

Fibre vs. CO₂ vs. UV Marking on Pouches

Fibre Laser: Fibre laser light is not easily absorbed and damages the pouch
CO₂ Laser: CO₂ laser light creates marks by burning off the pouch's surface
UV Laser: UV laser light reacts with the film on top of the pouch to produce high-contrast, damage-free marks

Final Marking Results

Fibre lasers can quickly mark the widest range of materials and typically produce the most contrast on metals. However, fibre lasers cannot mark transparent materials and will sometimes damage the marking surface.
UV lasers provide the most contrast on resins. UV lasers have the added benefit of creating damage-free marks.
CO₂ lasers burn the target with heat, making them ideal for marking wood, paper, ceramic and transparent targets.

	Fibre Laser	CO₂ Laser	UV Laser
Metal (Iron)	Fibre Laser High visibility	CO₂ Laser Low visibility	UV Laser Low visibility
Metal (Copper)	Fibre Laser Low visibility	CO₂ Laser Low visibility	UV Laser High visibility
Resin (PE)	Fibre Laser High visibility	CO₂ Laser Low visibility	UV Laser High visibility
Cartons	Fibre Laser Low visibility	CO₂ Laser High visibility	UV Laser High visibility
Transparent Targets	Fibre Laser Low visibility	CO₂ Laser High visibility	UV Laser Low visibility
Pouches	Fibre Laser Low visibility	CO₂ Laser Low visibility	UV Laser High visibility