Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Laser Marking vs Screen Printing
Laser Marking and Screen Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; screen print is the lower-cost option ($).
Laser Marking
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Laser marking uses focused fiber, CO2, or UV energy to create permanent text, logos, serials, UDI, and machine-readable codes.
Screen Printing
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Screen printing pushes ink through a patterned mesh onto a part.
When to choose which
Choose Laser mark
Choose Laser mark when for variable permanent serial data.
- Creates variable serials and UDI without a physical printing tool
- Supports about 0.10 mm minimum line width
- Annealed colour-change marks add no depth; shallow engraving is typically 5–50 µm
Choose Screen print
Screen print is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Laser mark's.
- Deposits an opaque 10–25 µm ink film
- Economical for repeated medium-to-large graphics
- Supports spot colours and high-opacity white ink
What the numbers say
- Screen print is the lower-cost option ($).
- Screen print is the thinner coating (10–25 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
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 | Laser mark | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 70 Very good | 75 Very good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 18 $ | 15 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Laser mark | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0–50 µm | 10–25 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | black, white, grey, substrate contrast, limited colour effects on selected materials | black, white, spot colours, custom colour |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 3–7 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 | Laser mark | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | With care |
| Polymer | With care | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | Limited |
| Ceramic | With care | — |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| Glass | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Laser mark
- MIL-STD-130 — Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property
LASER MARK PER MIL-STD-130, DATA MATRIX ECC200, 6 × 6 MM, 0.10 MM MIN CELL, CONTRAST ≥ 30 %, GRADE 2.5 MIN PER ISO 15415
Screen print
- ISO 2409 — Paints and Varnishes — Cross-Cut Test
SCREEN PRINT LOGO AND LEGENDS, WHITE, 0.20 MM MIN LINE WIDTH; ADHESION PER ASTM D3359, CLASS 4B MIN
Laser mark vs Screen print — frequently asked
What is the difference between Laser mark and Screen print?
Laser Marking and Screen Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; screen print is the lower-cost option ($). Screen print is the thinner coating (10–25 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Laser mark instead of Screen print?
Choose Laser mark when for variable permanent serial data.
Is Laser mark or Screen print cheaper?
Screen print is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Laser mark) 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.