UV Laser Marking Machine: Glass, Plastic & Ceramic
Last updated: June 2026
Short answer: a UV laser marking machine uses a 355 nm ultraviolet beam to mark materials a fiber laser would damage: glass, plastic, ceramic, FR4, silicon, and other heat-sensitive surfaces. UV is the cold-marking wavelength; it breaks surface bonds with almost no heat, so there is no cracking or charring. Our UV laser marking machines run from a 5W air-cooled entry to a 20W water-cooled production tier, all on genuine JPT DPSS sources.
What a UV laser marking machine does
A UV laser marking machine emits at 355 nm, the third harmonic of a 1064 nm DPSS (diode-pumped solid-state) laser. That short ultraviolet wavelength carries enough photon energy to break the chemical bonds at a material’s surface directly, a process called photoablation or cold marking. Because the energy goes into breaking bonds rather than heating the bulk material, the heat-affected zone is essentially zero.
That is the whole point of UV: it marks the materials a 1064 nm fiber laser cannot handle cleanly. Glass marks without thermal cracking, plastics mark without melting or burning, and PCB substrate marks without damaging copper traces. See the wavelength comparison in fiber vs UV vs CO2 lasers.
Why UV, not fiber, for these materials
A fiber laser at 1064 nm is absorbed thermally, which is ideal on metal but destructive on glass, clear plastic, and ceramic. A UV laser marking machine at 355 nm is absorbed chemically, so it cold-marks those exact materials cleanly. The trade-off is cost: UV sources cost more than fiber because frequency-tripling 1064 nm down to 355 nm requires a precise nonlinear-crystal optical chain. You buy UV for material capability, not for power per dollar.
What a UV laser marking machine can mark
| Material | Why UV | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | No thermal cracking at the mark edge | Bottles, perfume, awards, optics. See glass engraving |
| Plastics & polymers | Clean cold mark, no melt or char | Medical housings, connectors. See marking plastics |
| Ceramic | Marks brittle surfaces without micro-cracks | Electronic substrates, dental, tile |
| FR4 / PCB | Marks epoxy-glass without harming copper | Board ID, traceability codes |
| Silicon & wafers | Fine, low-damage marking | Semiconductor, sensor parts |
| Films & packaging | Line-speed date and batch codes | PET, PE, PP food packaging |
UV laser marking machine power tiers
All four UV tiers share the same 355 nm wavelength, TEM00 spatial mode, and M² under 1.2 beam quality. They differ in average power, frequency range, and cooling.
- 5W UV (Lark-355-5A): air-cooled, no chiller. Boutique glass, plastic, and single-piece custom work. The most affordable UV marking machine in the catalog.
- 10W UV (Seal-355-10S): production entry, integrated 500W chiller. PCB and glass production marking.
- 15W UV (Seal-355-15S): the production sweet spot, 1000W chiller. Industrial PCB lines and packaging film.
- 20W UV (Seal-355-20S): top tier, highest throughput for electronics and high-volume glass packaging.
Browse the full UV laser range, or use help me choose.
How much does a UV laser marking machine cost?
UV laser marking machine prices start at USD 5,400 for the 5W air-cooled entry and rise with power and cooling capacity. A UV machine costs more than a fiber laser of the same wattage because of the frequency-tripling optics, so size a UV laser by the material you need to mark and the volume you run, not by watts per dollar. Every UV machine ships DDP with the accessory package included; for the full value picture see the buying guide and which JPT source is in that machine.
Common jobs for a UV laser marking machine
- Glass and bottle marking for spirits, perfume, and awards. See glass engraving.
- Plastic and polymer part marking on medical and electronic housings.
- PCB, FR4 and electronics traceability codes that must not damage copper.
- Date and batch codes on packaging film at line speed. See production line date marking.
- Ceramic and silicon marking for sensors and substrates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UV laser marking machine used for?
Marking materials a fiber laser cannot handle cleanly: glass, plastic, ceramic, FR4, silicon, and other heat-sensitive surfaces. UV at 355 nm is the cold-marking wavelength, so it leaves no heat-affected zone.
Can a UV laser mark metal?
Yes, but slowly, and a fiber laser is the better tool for metal. Buy a UV laser marking machine when the material is glass, plastic, ceramic, or other heat-sensitive substrate, not for metal speed.
How much does a UV laser marking machine cost?
Our UV machines start at USD 5,400 for the 5W air-cooled entry and rise with power and cooling. UV costs more than fiber at the same wattage because of the frequency-tripling optics; buy UV for material capability.
Do I need a chiller for a UV laser marking machine?
Only on the 10W and up. The 5W is air-cooled with no external chiller. The 10W, 15W, and 20W ship with an integrated sealed water chiller, so no external plumbing is required for any UV machine in the catalog.
