What is Color Laser Engraving: Everything You Need To Know

Color laser engraving opens up the laser engraving field to a whole new world of possibilities. Whether you want to add some vibrancy to your company logo or print a bold image on your wedding rings, you can make it possible through color laser engraving. But what is color laser engraving?

Color laser engraving is a laser engraving technology that adds color to engraved objects. This is usually achieved by heating the surface of the material to form an oxide layer after which visible light can be reflected on it.

This light is what creates the appearance of color. In some cases, a color dye powder is spread over the object then melted into the engraving using an engraving machine.


Color Laser Engraving On Stainless Steel with Mopa Fiber Laser

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about color laser engraving.

What is color laser engraving and how does it work

What is Color Laser Engraving?

Color laser engraving is achieved through different methods, each leveraging unique material properties and laser interactions. The three primary techniques include:

  1. Oxidation-Based Color Engraving
    • When using a fiber laser on metals, heat oxidation can create a thin oxide layer that refracts light and produces colors.
    • Commonly used on stainless steel, titanium, and anodized aluminum.
  2. MOPA Fiber Laser Engraving
    • MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) fiber lasers allow precise pulse duration control, creating different shades and colors by varying heat application.
    • Works best on stainless steel, aluminum, and certain coated metals.
  3. Laser Engraving with Color Additives
    • Some engravers use color-infused pastes or dyes that bond with the material when subjected to laser energy.
    • Often used on wood, leather, and certain plastics.

The principle behind laser color engraving is surface oxidation. Scientifically, many material surfaces react in the air to form thin oxide layers. When the surface of a material is heated using a laser beam, it forms a thin oxide film.

The actual thickness of this film is achieved by altering the scanning velocity, power, and line spacing. Other essential parameters for the technology include marking direction, marking speed, focal spot diameter, pulse length, and repetition rate.

Once a constant material surface temperature has been maintained, a uniform color can be created. The thin oxide layer will grow in thickness until it forms a thin film effect. This is what determines the reflection of white light and hence the appearance of other colors.

A thick oxide layer is beneficial because it protects the material against corrosion and scratching. For acrylic, color laser engraving is achieved by adding a color dye powder. This begins with traditional engraving and then pressing a special powder on the engraved parts using a laser machine.

Color Laser Engraving using MOPA Fiber Laser

Color laser engraving using MOPA fiber

The MOPA, which is an acronym for Master Oscillator Power Amplifier, is a type of laser fiber used in color engraving projects.

This machine uses a modulated seed laser that promotes effective pulse parameters while on function. It is also popular for high peak powers and pulsing frequency ranges that are lacking in standard designs. Furthermore, the laser can work in a continuous wave mode.

The MOPA arrangement is possibly the best thing that happened to the world of laser engraving. It allows for better control over peak power and pulse width through its PulseTune functions thereby enhancing high repetition rates at high peak powers.

In short, the new MOPA fiber laser allows for separate tuning on varying laser parameters. This process is often optimized for the production of quality colors and a better visual appearance.

Color laser engraving is an advanced marking technique that allows for the creation of vibrant, detailed engravings on metal surfaces. One of the best technologies for achieving this effect is the MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) fiber laser. Unlike traditional fiber lasers, MOPA lasers offer greater flexibility in pulse duration and frequency, enabling precise control over heat input, which is essential for color marking.

How MOPA Fiber Lasers Create Color Engravings

MOPA fiber lasers utilize variable pulse durations to manipulate the oxidation levels on the metal’s surface. This oxidation results in the formation of different colors without the use of dyes or pigments. By adjusting laser parameters such as frequency, power, speed, and pulse width, it is possible to generate a spectrum of colors on materials like stainless steel, titanium, and certain aluminum alloys.

Key Parameters for Color Laser Engraving

Achieving high-quality color engravings requires careful optimization of the following parameters:

  • Pulse Duration: Shorter pulses produce less heat, while longer pulses enhance oxidation.
  • Laser Power: Higher power levels can lead to deeper engraving, but moderate power is ideal for color formation.
  • Scanning Speed: A slower speed allows for more oxidation, resulting in richer colors.
  • Frequency (kHz): Adjusting the laser frequency affects how the material absorbs the laser energy and influences color appearance.
  • Focus and Overlapping: Precise focus and controlled overlapping ensure uniform color formation.

Materials Suitable for MOPA Color Engraving

While color marking is not possible on all metals, the following materials work exceptionally well:

  • Stainless Steel – Produces vibrant colors, including blue, yellow, red, and green.
  • Titanium – Capable of generating a wide range of color variations.
  • Aluminum (Anodized & Certain Alloys) – Allows for selective color marking with controlled heat input.
  • Chrome & Nickel-Plated Surfaces – Suitable for decorative applications with moderate color effects.

Advantages of Using MOPA Fiber Laser for Color Engraving

  • Permanent and Durable Markings: Unlike dyes or coatings, laser-engraved colors do not fade over time.
  • Non-Contact and Precise Processing: Ensures high accuracy without damaging the material.
  • Environmentally Friendly: No need for chemicals, inks, or consumables.
  • Customization and Branding: Ideal for logos, artistic designs, and high-end product branding.
  • Compatible with Various Metals: Works effectively on stainless steel, titanium, and anodized aluminum.

Challenges and Considerations

  • Parameter Sensitivity: Small variations in settings can result in inconsistent colors.
  • Surface Preparation: Clean, polished surfaces yield the best results.
  • Material Limitations: Not all metals produce distinct colors.
  • Time-Consuming Process: Color engraving requires precise control, making it slower than standard marking.

MOPA fiber laser technology offers an incredible capability for creating detailed and colorful engravings on metal surfaces. With the right laser settings and material choice, businesses and hobbyists can achieve stunning results for branding, customization, and industrial applications.

While it requires some fine-tuning, the potential of color laser engraving makes it a valuable tool for those looking to enhance their engraving capabilities.


Best Budget MOPA Fiber Laser For Color Laser Engraving


ComMarker B6 20W JPT Mopa Fiber Laser Engraver

ComMarker B6 20W JPT Mopa Fiber Laser Engraver

The ComMarker B6 20W JPT MOPA Fibre Laser Engraving Machine is a compact yet powerful engraving tool that delivers precision and efficiency.

Designed with affordability in mind, this laser engraver provides exceptional color marking capabilities on stainless steel and high-contrast engraving on anodized aluminum. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a small business owner, the ComMarker B6 offers impressive performance at a budget-friendly price.

Key Features

  • High-Speed Engraving: Equipped with a JPT M7 MOPA laser source, the ComMarker B6 boasts an engraving speed of 15,000mm/s, making it one of the fastest options in its class.
  • Color Marking Capability: Adjustable pulse frequency and width allow for vibrant color marking on metals, particularly stainless steel.
  • Autofocus & Touchscreen: The built-in touch screen enables easy autofocus adjustments, ensuring precision without manual recalibration.
  • Compact & Portable: Weighing just 13kg, the 2-in-1 design makes it suitable for both desktop and tabletop use.
  • Software Compatibility: The machine supports Lightburn and EzCad2 software, offering versatility in design and control.
  • Broad Material Support: It can engrave on stainless steel, aluminum, gold, silver, alloys, and even mark most painted products and non-transparent plastics.
  • User-Friendly Setup: Comes with essential accessories, including a rotary drive, foot switch, and protective goggles.

Pros

Fast engraving speed with precise output

Vibrant color marking on stainless steel

Lightweight and portable for small workspaces

Autofocus with touchscreen enhances usability

Supports multiple design formats, including BMP, JPG, DXF, AI, and more

Affordable compared to other MOPA fiber lasers with similar features

Compatible with both Windows & Mac (via Lightburn)

Cons

Limited engraving area (150mm x 150mm) may not be sufficient for large projects

No built-in cooling system, so extended use may require breaks

Requires some learning curve for new users, especially with color engraving settings

Why It’s the Best Budget MOPA Fiber Laser for Color Laser Engraving

The ComMarker B6 stands out as the best budget MOPA fiber laser under $3100 due to its balance of performance, affordability, and ease of use.

With its high-speed engraving, autofocus touchscreen, and ability to mark in color, this engraver provides professional-quality results without breaking the bank. Whether you’re personalizing jewelry, creating custom plaques, or engraving intricate designs, the ComMarker B6 is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced users alike.

If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful MOPA fiber laser engraver with color marking capabilities, the ComMarker B6 20W is a fantastic investment that delivers exceptional results.


Can A Diode Laser Engraver Be Used For Color Laser Engraving

Color Laser Engraving On Stainless Steel With Our xTool D1 Pro 20W Diode Laser Engraver

A diode laser engraver cannot be used for true color laser engraving on metals like stainless steel or titanium.

Unlike MOPA fiber lasers, which achieve color through precise control of pulse duration and frequency, diode lasers typically lack the power and wavelength required for this effect.

However, diode lasers can create color-like effects on certain materials using alternative methods:

  • Color Filling – Engraving a surface and manually applying colored paint or resin.
  • Color Powder Fusion – Applying a special color powder to the engraved area and heating it to bond with the material.
  • Anodized Aluminum Engraving – Diode lasers can remove anodized coatings, revealing different colors underneath.

For true color engraving on metal, a MOPA fiber laser is the best option.

Applications of Color Laser Engraving

Adding a burst of color on engraved objects may seem like a new idea but the technology has been around for decades.

It was introduced as a way to some life to jewelry and craft metalwork. Although the technique didn’t take off at first, it is now quite a sensation. Organizations and individuals now utilize color laser engraving for various purposes including;

  • Marketing – e.g. creating product customizations for customers
  • Branding – e.g. color marking of a vast collection of products including firearms, bathroom fittings, electronic equipment, automobiles, aircraft, and medical products
  • Jewelry – e.g. adding a touch of beauty to watches, jewelry, and craft metal works
  • Design – e.g. creating eye-catching designs, graphics, and images on products

These are only a handful of the commercial applications of color laser engraving. There are countless possibilities for a creative mind. Some of the practical ideas of color laser engraving include mobile phone keypad, laptop keyboard, iPhone back logo, TV controller keyboard, plastic translucent keys, etc.

Materials For Color Laser Engraving

Not every material that is ideal for laser engraving is a good fit for color laser engraving. Thankfully, with the constant rise in laser technology, the future looks promising. In the meantime, here are some of the materials that can work with color laser engraving.

Metal

Color Laser Engraving on Titanium With Fiber Laser

Metal, especially stainless steel and titanium, is arguably the most widely used material in color laser engraving with a fiber laser.

Color laser engraving changes the outer layer of the metal and introduces a range of colors on the engraved parts. Raw or untreated metal surfaces are particularly great to work with as you have many colors to choose from.

The actual color on the metal depends on the laser frequency, focal distance, speed, and power. Other metals that are color laser engravable include chrome and steel. There are four main processing strategies for color laser engraving on metal. These are;

  • Line-by-line

The line-by-line approach produces color in a single line rather than a marked area. The lines are created in uniform widths to ensure the appearance of a uniform color.

  • Line overlapping

This is achieved by scanning a spot in a manner that the marking lines overlap. Here, the oxide layer occurs through energy accumulation of two or more lines ultimately creating visible color.

  • Cooling and solidification

When using this technique, a high laser velocity is needed so that the surface can be heated uniformly and long enough to create the oxide layer without melting the material.

  • Grating with oxide

Grating with the oxide is not as common as the other three techniques. In this technique, when re-solidified, each laser pulse creates an equivalent melt pool which results in a diffracting surface of the melted pool.

Plastic

Unlike metals, color laser engraving on plastic still has a long way to go. Presently, engraving on plastic is mainly done in essentially the same color family as the mother material, except with light and dark variations.

A good example is a blue plastic material that cannot be engraved with yellow, green, or other bold colors. That said, a few shade variations can be made possible where dark plastic materials are altered to a lighter shade or vice versa. Some of the plastic materials that can be color laser engraved include polyethylene plastics, ABS plastics, glass-filled plastics, and other plastics.

Acrylic

Acrylic is one of those materials with endless alteration possibilities. From adding metal discs and foil appliques to enhancing its detail using black dye, there’s a lot you can do to add vibrancy to your acrylic materials. Additionally, acrylic is quite fun and easy to work with since it allows for a good markup and ultimately looks fantastic in the end.

Color laser engraving on acrylic takes on a different angle from the previous materials. It is quite straightforward. Once you have your laser engraved parts, all you need to do is fill it with colored paint then squeegee and wipe using a moist porous paint thinner to permanently add color.

The new technology, however, uses some form of color dye powder to achieve this. Here, you run the laser after filling your engraved parts with sufficient powder. Be sure to operate at high speed and low power.

Alternative Methods for Color Laser Engraving

Color laser engraving is a sought-after technique for adding vibrant designs to metal and other materials. However, it requires specialized, often expensive lasers—such as MOPA fiber lasers—and is limited to certain metals. Fortunately, there are alternative methods that allow makers to achieve similar results without investing in costly equipment. Below are some of the best alternatives to color laser engraving.

Color Filling

Paint Your Laser Engraving

Color filling is a simple and effective method that involves engraving a surface and then applying color manually. Here’s how it works:

  • Cover the engraving surface with masking tape before engraving.
  • Use a laser engraver to burn away the tape in the design area, creating a stencil.
  • Apply paint or ink to the exposed areas—spray paint, acrylics, or even watercolors can be used, depending on the material.
  • Once dry, remove the excess tape to reveal a clean, colored engraving.

Pros:

  • Cost-effective, requiring only tape and paint.
  • Works on a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
  • Allows for easy customization and experimentation with different colors.

Cons:

  • Paint may fade or wear off over time.
  • Requires careful application to prevent bleeding or uneven coverage.

Color Powder Engraving

This technique involves engraving a material and applying a special color powder, which is then fused into the engraved area. The process works as follows:

  • Engrave the design onto the surface using a laser.
  • Apply a fine layer of color powder to the engraved areas.
  • Either re-engrave at a lower power setting to fuse the powder or use a heat gun to melt it in place.

Pros:

  • Provides a more durable finish compared to color filling.
  • Can create vibrant and detailed color effects.
  • Works well on materials like wood and glass.

Cons:

  • Requires purchasing specialized colored powder.
  • Can be messier and more time-consuming than color filling.

How To Apply Powder Paint for Color Laser Engraving

5 Colors Coating Paint Powder, Powder Coating Paint for Laser Engraving
5 Colors Coating Paint Powder, Powder Coating Paint for Laser Engraving
Materials Needed:
  • Powder paint For Laser Engraving
  • Laser engraver (for initial engraving)
  • Heat gun or oven
  • Soft brush or spatula
  • Masking tape (optional, for clean edges)
  • Protective gloves and mask
Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Engrave the Design
    • Use a laser engraver to create a deep enough engraving on the material (wood, metal, glass, or acrylic) to hold the powder paint.
    • Ensure the engraving is clean and free of debris.
  2. Apply Powder Paint
    • Use a fine brush or spatula to apply powder paint evenly into the engraved areas.
    • Tap the material gently to help the powder settle.
    • Remove any excess powder using compressed air or a soft cloth.
  3. Melting the Powder
    • Heat Gun Method: Hold a heat gun 6-12 inches away from the surface and apply heat evenly in circular motions. The powder will start to melt and fuse with the engraving. Be careful not to overheat and burn the surrounding material.
    • Oven Method (For Heat-Resistant Materials): Place the material in an oven at the recommended curing temperature (typically 300-400°F/150-200°C) for 5-10 minutes. The powder will melt and bond to the surface.
  4. Cooling and Finishing
    • Let the material cool completely before handling.
    • If needed, lightly sand or wipe off any excess powder for a clean finish.

Anodized Aluminum Color Engraving

Marking Anodized Aluminum With Our xTool D1 Pro 20W Diode Laser Engraver

Anodized aluminum naturally lends itself to color engraving. The process involves engraving away the anodized coating to reveal a different underlying color. While not technically adding color, it creates a striking contrast.

Pros:

  • Produces crisp, high-contrast designs.
  • No need for additional materials like paint or powder.
  • Works exceptionally well with fiber lasers.

Cons:

  • Limited to anodized aluminum.
  • Cannot achieve multi-color effects like other methods.

Whether through color filling, color powder application, or anodized aluminum engraving, makers have multiple options to create colorful, eye-catching designs. The best choice depends on your budget, materials, and desired level of durability.

Why add color to your engraved objects?

Laser engraving using two colors day in day out can get quite boring because let’s face it: color sells. Even the tiniest burst of color can transform an ordinary product into a breathtaking masterpiece.

In this color-oriented society, you stand a better chance by adding some color to your laser engraved objects. Be it your company’s logo, picture, a badge, a humdrum plaque, or any other product on sale, color can dramatically make it spectacular. Your customers will surely appreciate the effort and reward you with massive profits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to color engraving?

You can color engrave using a MOPA fiber laser for metal or use alternative methods like color filling (engraving over masking tape, then painting) or color powder (applying colored powder and heating it into the engraving).

Can you laser engrave color on glass?

No, you cannot directly laser engrave color on glass. However, you can achieve a colored effect by using coatings, paints, or UV laser marking techniques.

How does color laser engraving work?

Color laser engraving works by adjusting the laser’s heat, speed, and frequency to create oxidation or interference patterns on metal surfaces. MOPA fiber lasers are commonly used, as they allow fine control over pulse duration, enabling the marking of vibrant colors on stainless steel, titanium, and other metals.

Conclusion

If you are getting into laser engraving as a business, you should totally take advantage of the available color laser engraving technologies. Not only will it help your laser engraved products to look prettier but the products will fetch a better price too.  

Granted, you may not be able to make color laser engraved objects on all materials but you can still make great designs on stainless steel, plastics, and acrylic. As the technology keeps improving, we might soon get laser engravers that can color laser engrave on other materials too.