AlumaMark

AlumaMark requires very low power and high speed. The goal is to heat the sensitive layer, not to engrave the metal.

Recommended settings:

• Power: 5 to 15 Watts
• Speed: High
• Resolution: High (1,000 DPI for a deep, dense black)
• Lens: 1.5″ or 2″

How to validate your settings (Test on scrap material):

• Brown / Beige result: Not hot enough ➔ Increase the power.
• Intense Black result: Perfect setting.
• Grey / Faded result: Overheating (the sensitive layer is burning) ➔ Decrease the power.

(Note: If you have a powerful 60W or 80W laser, the setting will correspond to a very low percentage of your machine’s capacity, often between 5% and 15%).

Raw aluminum reflects a CO₂ laser beam, making direct engraving impossible. AlumaMark solves this problem with an integrated sensitive layer deep within the metal.

• Thermal Absorption: This layer specifically absorbs the CO₂ laser wavelength ($10.6\mu \text{m}$) instead of reflecting it.
• Chemical Reaction: Under the impact of heat, the material undergoes an instant thermal transformation and turns an intense black.
• Deep Marking: The visual is fused into the metal. There is no digging (no recessed engraving) or surface buildup.

Why is this a revolution?
It eliminates third-party products (like CerMark or TherMark). No more need to apply a spray, wait for it to dry, then wash the plate after engraving. You place the plate, you engrave, it’s ready.

Key Applications
Ideal for high-definition markings: barcodes, technical diagrams, manufacturer plates (interior) and trophies.

Contrary to popular belief, metallic materials compatible with laser marking are no longer necessarily more expensive than engravable plastics.r
Just a decade ago, metals intended for laser marking often represented a significantly higher investment. Today, market developments allow access to numerous metallic solutions at comparable, or sometimes even lower, prices than some engravable plastics.r
Beyond the purchase price, AlumaMark also offers a strong perceived value thanks to its qualitative metallic appearance and high-end finish. This can help strengthen the image of your creations while improving the profitability of your projects.r
We invite you to consult the AlumaMark price list: you will find that metal is now a particularly competitive solution.

Yes, AlumaMark is particularly easy to use, as it was designed to simplify laser marking on raw metal with a ready-to-engrave process.

• No pre- or post-treatment (100% dry process)
  No spraying, no drying, no cleaning. Simply take out the plate, place it in the CO₂ laser machine, and start engraving. The part is then immediately ready for use or delivery (for indoor use).
• Wide tolerance for machine settings
  AlumaMark offers a wide operating range that simplifies settings. Even with CO₂ laser machines of different powers, it quickly achieves intense and uniform black marking without complex adjustments.
• Simple management of grayscale shades (photo effect)
  The material reacts proportionally to the laser’s heat. By adjusting the power or dot density (DPI), it is possible to achieve different shades of gray, which facilitates the reproduction of photos, logos, and visuals with gradients.

The range is structured around several finishes, formats, and thicknesses to adapt to all your engraving projects:

Available Metallic Finishes
The material faithfully reproduces the appearance of precious metals and is available in 4 main finishes

• Silver (Satin or Matte)
• Gold
• Brass
• Bronze

Technical tip: The Satin Silver finish offers the best rendering for reproductions of photographs, detailed images, or diplomas with complex grayscale gradients.

The range’s formats and thicknesses
The range is available in rigid plates or ultra-thin sheets:

• Rigid plates (0.5 mm thickness):

  • Standard format: 305 × 508 mm (available for all finishes: silver, gold, brass, bronze).

  • Large format: 508 × 610 mm (available only for Silver, Gold, and Brass finishes).

• Flexible sheets (0.13 mm thickness):

  • Designed to conform to curved or cylindrical surfaces.

  • Available exclusively in Matte Silver or Satin Silver finish.

Usage environment and protection
AlumaMark is primarily designed for indoor applications: door plates, office signage, trophies, diplomas, or distinction labels.

Outdoor use is possible under certain conditions. To ensure the durability of the marking, it must be protected against climatic aggressions and direct exposure to UV rays.
After laser engraving, it is therefore necessary to apply a surface protection, either:

• a transparent lamination film;
• or a protective varnish spray.

For projects permanently exposed to demanding outdoor conditions or without additional protection, it is recommended to opt for the DuraBlack range, which is more suited to outdoor environments.

Bien que l’AlumaMark et le DuraBlack soient tous deux de véritables plaques d’aluminium spécialement conçues pour être marquées directement avec un laser CO₂ — sans pâte ni spray chimique — ils répondent à des usages, des rendus graphiques et des niveaux de résistance très différents.

Le rendu du marquage : positif ou négatif
La différence la plus visible concerne l’apparence obtenue après le passage du laser.

AlumaMark : marquage positif
Le faisceau laser déclenche une réaction thermique directement dans le revêtement. Le support conserve son aspect aluminium (argent, or ou bronze) tandis que le visuel apparaît en noir profond.

Ce procédé est particulièrement adapté :

• aux photos et nuances de gris ;
• aux logos détaillés ;
• aux plaques signalétiques haut de gamme ;
• aux applications où le contraste noir sur métal est recherché.

DuraBlack : marquage négatif
Le DuraBlack possède un revêtement noir mat. Le laser retire localement cette couche pour révéler l’aluminium situé en dessous.
Le résultat : un marquage argenté / blanc sur fond noir, proche du rendu d’une gravure traditionnelle, sans enlèvement de matière.

Ce rendu est apprécié pour :

• la signalétique technique ;
• les plaques industrielles ;
• les applications à forte lisibilité.

Résistance et environnement d’utilisation
Leur différence de conception influence directement leur comportement dans le temps.

AlumaMark : optimisé pour l’intérieur
L’AlumaMark est principalement destiné aux applications intérieures : plaques de porte, trophées, diplômes, signalétique de bureau ou étiquetage décoratif.

Une utilisation extérieure reste possible à condition d’ajouter une protection après gravure :

• film de lamination transparent ;
• ou vernis de protection anti-UV.

DuraBlack : conçu pour l’extérieur et les environnements exigeants
Le DuraBlack est développé pour résister durablement aux environnements les plus contraignants.

Sa structure multicouche offre :

• une excellente tenue aux UV ;
• une résistance au brouillard salin ;
• une bonne résistance à l’abrasion ;
• une compatibilité avec des environnements exposés aux hydrocarbures.

Sans protection supplémentaire, il est conçu pour des usages extérieurs longue durée.

En résumé

Choisissez AlumaMark si vous recherchez :
→ un noir intense sur métal
→ des photos ou dégradés de gris
→ une utilisation principalement intérieure

Choisissez DuraBlack si vous recherchez :
→ un contraste aluminium sur fond noir
→ une résistance extérieure élevée
→ une plaque technique durable sans finition supplémentaire

LMM (Laser Markable Metals) refers to the range of metallic-looking materials designed to be marked directly with a CO₂ laser.
Unlike Fiber or YAG lasers, which can mark raw metal directly but generally require a higher investment, the CO₂ laser remains a very popular solution in signage workshops thanks to its versatility.

Depending on the material used, the resulting marking is based on various physical or chemical mechanisms.

Engraving (material removal)
The laser beam removes or vaporizes the surface layer to reveal the material underneath.

Result obtained: generally a negative marking (light text on a colored or dark background).

Examples of materials:

• DuraBlack;
• lacquered aluminum;
• Rowmark Metalgraph Plus;
• IPI LaserMetallic Brush.

Whitening (color change via heat)
Heat modifies the surface structure locally without removing material.

Result obtained: white or light gray marking on a dark background.

Examples of materials:

• black anodized aluminum;
• LazerWhite.

Ceramic bonding (material addition)
A marking product is applied to the raw metal before laser processing. The heat chemically bonds this coating to the surface. Excess is then cleaned off.

Result obtained: intense black marking on raw metal.

Examples of solutions:

• CerMark ;
• TherMark.

Positive image transformation (thermal chemical reaction)
The material possesses a specific coating that reacts directly to the laser heat without removal or addition of material.

Result obtained: intense black marking on a metallic background.

Examples of materials:

• AlumaMark;
• laser-anodizable mirror aluminum (LAMA).

How to choose?
The choice mainly depends on three factors:

• the desired visual finish;
• the usage environment (indoor or outdoor);
• the final substrate (aluminum, steel, brass, or composite material).

Each technology addresses different constraints regarding durability, contrast, and graphic quality.