6. How to Choose Based on Your Material

Ask yourself these three questions in order:

Step 1: What is my primary material?

• Metal → Fiber laser
• Organic (wood, paper, leather, glass) → CO2 laser
• Sensitive plastic or transparent polymer → UV laser

Step 2: What mark type do I need?

• Surface anneal/engrave on metal → Fiber (any power)
• Color mark on stainless → MOPA fiber
• Deep engrave on metal → 50W+ fiber
• Cold mark on plastic → UV
• Cut-through on thin material → CO2

Step 3: What’s my production volume?

• Low volume, prototyping → Desktop model, 20W
• Medium volume, multi-shift → Standard industrial, 20–30W
• High volume, inline production → Flying marker or 50W+ with automation

Still unsure? Send us your parts and we’ll test all three laser types on them — [request a free sample marking →]