What is the difference between laser marking and laser etching?

Laser marking is a process that involves changes in the surface of a material via exposure to a laser beam. The beam does not remove any material but rather causes a chemical or physical reaction on the material's surface, resulting in a permanent mark. Laser marking is an efficient process that can create high-resolution images and text on a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, glass, and ceramics. It is commonly used for product identification, tracking, branding, and decorative purposes, among others.

On the other hand, laser etching involves the removal of material from the surface of a material to create a design or pattern. The laser beam is directed at the material's surface, melting and vaporizing it to create a recessed area. Although laser etching can produce a highly detailed design, it is limited to a few types of materials such as metal, wood, and plastic.

While both processes use a laser beam, they differ in terms of the end result they create. Laser marking creates a permanent mark on the surface of the material, while laser etching removes material to create a design or pattern.

Moreover, the difference between laser marking and laser etching also lies in the depth of the mark. Laser marking creates a shallow mark, typically on the surface of the material, while laser etching produces a deeper recessed area.