Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Dot Peen Marking vs Steel Stamp Part Marking
Dot Peen Marking and Steel Stamp Part Marking are both marking & decoration finishes; steel stamp 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.
Steel Stamp Part Marking
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Steel stamp marking indents characters or symbols with a hardened hand stamp, press die, or roll marker.
When to choose which
Choose Dot peen
Choose Dot peen when for automated variable characters.
- 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 Steel stamp
Choose Steel stamp when for simple repeated fixed characters.
- Creates a permanent indented mark without ink
- Typical identification depth is 100–500 µm
- Low consumable cost for repeated fixed characters
What the numbers say
- Steel stamp 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 | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 38 Fair |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 18 $ | 12 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Dot peen | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 50–500 µm | 100–500 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | substrate colour, shadow contrast | substrate colour |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 1–2 working days | 1–2 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 | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | With care |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | Limited |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | Limited | No |
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
Steel stamp
No governing public specification — called out by name and thickness.
STEEL-DIE STAMP PART NO. AND HEAT CODE PER MIL-STD-130, 3 MM CHARACTER HEIGHT, 0.20–0.30 MM DEEP; LOCATE AS SHOWN
Dot peen vs Steel stamp — frequently asked
What is the difference between Dot peen and Steel stamp?
Dot Peen Marking and Steel Stamp Part Marking are both marking & decoration finishes; steel stamp is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Dot peen instead of Steel stamp?
Choose Dot peen when for automated variable characters. Conversely: choose Steel stamp when for simple repeated fixed characters.
Is Dot peen or Steel stamp cheaper?
Steel stamp is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Dot peen) 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.