Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Laser Marking vs Steel Stamp Part Marking
Laser Marking and Steel Stamp Part Marking are both marking & decoration finishes; steel stamp 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.
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 Laser mark
Choose Laser mark when deformation is unacceptable.
- 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 Steel stamp
Steel stamp is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Laser mark's.
- 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 ($).
- Laser mark is the thinner coating (0–50 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 | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 70 Very good | 38 Fair |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 18 $ | 12 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Laser mark | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0–50 µm | 100–500 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | black, white, grey, substrate contrast, limited colour effects on selected materials | substrate colour |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 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 | Laser mark | Steel stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | With care |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | Limited |
| Ceramic | With care | — |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| Glass | With care | — |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | With care | No |
| 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
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
Laser mark vs Steel stamp — frequently asked
What is the difference between Laser mark and Steel stamp?
Laser Marking and Steel Stamp Part Marking are both marking & decoration finishes; steel stamp is the lower-cost option ($). Laser mark is the thinner coating (0–50 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Laser mark instead of Steel stamp?
Choose Laser mark when deformation is unacceptable.
Is Laser mark or Steel stamp cheaper?
Steel stamp is the lower-cost finish ($ 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.