4. Step-by-Step Color Marking Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

• Clean the stainless steel with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth
• Wear nitrile gloves — fingerprints and skin oils interfere with oxide formation
• Ensure the surface is at room temperature
• For mirror-finish stainless, handle with extra care — it produces the most vibrant colors but is the most sensitive to contamination

Step 2: Create a Test Grid

Before marking your production part, create a parameter test grid:

This 10-minute step saves hours of trial-and-error on production parts.

Step 3: Mark the Production Part

• Secure the part firmly — any vibration during marking will distort the color
• Apply the calibrated parameters
• Monitor the first few marks for consistency
• Check color under the lighting conditions your customer will use (colors can shift under different light temperatures)

Step 4: Verify and Document

• Scan or photograph the mark for your records
• Document the exact parameters (frequency, speed, power, fill spacing, focus offset)
• Note the material batch — different batches can produce slightly different colors with the same settings