Marking, decoration & colour

Chemical etching uses a patterned resist and material-specific etchant to recess graphics or create a frosted contrast.

Dot peen marking uses a controlled stylus to build characters and Data Matrix symbols from small permanent indentations.

Electrochemical etching makes a localized permanent mark on an electrically conductive part through a stencil and electrolyte.

Embossing raises artwork above a surface, while debossing recesses it through forming dies or molded tool geometry.

Hot stamping uses a heated die to transfer pigmented or metallic foil onto a part.

In-mold decoration places a formed, printed decorative film in an injection mold so the graphic becomes part of the molded surface.

In-mold labeling places a preprinted label in the mold before plastic is injected.

Ink stamping transfers a fixed image from a rubber, polymer, or metal stamp onto a part.

Laser marking uses focused fiber, CO2, or UV energy to create permanent text, logos, serials, UDI, and machine-readable codes.

Mechanical engraving cuts text, symbols, serials, or decorative lines into a surface with a rotating or dragging tool.

Pad printing transfers ink from an etched plate to a part with a flexible silicone pad.

Screen printing pushes ink through a patterned mesh onto a part.

Steel stamp marking indents characters or symbols with a hardened hand stamp, press die, or roll marker.

Vibro engraving uses a rapidly oscillating point to hand-scribe letters, numbers, and lines into a surface.

Nylon part dyeing colors porous SLS and MJF polyamide by immersing finished parts in a heated dye bath.

Tinted clear coating is a transparent or translucent colored topcoat that modifies hue while preserving some view of the substrate.