Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Dot Peen Marking vs Mechanical Engraving
Dot Peen Marking and Mechanical Engraving are both marking & decoration finishes; dot peen is the lower-cost option ($).
Dot Peen Marking
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Dot peen marking uses a controlled stylus to build characters and Data Matrix symbols from small permanent indentations.
Mechanical Engraving
Marking & decoration · $$ · instant quote
Mechanical engraving cuts text, symbols, serials, or decorative lines into a surface with a rotating or dragging tool.
When to choose which
Choose Dot peen
Choose Dot peen when for faster indented serial marking.
- Automates variable serial and lot data
- Creates 50–500 µm permanent indentations
- Marks rough or scaled metal more robustly than many optical colour-change methods
Choose Mechanical engraving
Mechanical engraving is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Dot peen's.
- Creates a permanent recessed mark
- Supports variable serial numbers under CNC control
- Typical shallow depth is 50–500 µm
What the numbers say
- Dot peen is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Dot peen | Mechanical engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 58 Good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 18 $ | 32 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Dot peen | Mechanical engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 50–500 µm | 50–500 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | substrate colour, shadow contrast | substrate colour, optional paint fill |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 1–2 working days | 2–5 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Dot peen | Mechanical engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | With care | Yes |
| Polymer | Limited | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | With care | Yes |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| Ceramic | No | Limited |
| Glass | No | Limited |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Dot peen
- MIL-STD-130 — Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property
DOT PEEN MARK PER MIL-STD-130, DATA MATRIX ECC200, 8 × 8 MM, 0.25 MM DOT PITCH, 0.10–0.20 MM DEEP, GRADE 2.5 MIN PER ISO 15415
Mechanical engraving
No governing public specification — called out by name and thickness.
MECHANICALLY ENGRAVE PART NO. AND SERIAL NO. PER MIL-STD-130, 2.5 MM CHARACTER HEIGHT, 0.20 MM DEPTH, WHITE PAINT FILL
Dot peen vs Mechanical engraving — frequently asked
What is the difference between Dot peen and Mechanical engraving?
Dot Peen Marking and Mechanical Engraving are both marking & decoration finishes; dot peen is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Dot peen instead of Mechanical engraving?
Choose Dot peen when for faster indented serial marking.
Is Dot peen or Mechanical engraving cheaper?
Dot peen is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$ for Mechanical engraving) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.