Color laser engraved metal often looks stunning, making custom necklaces shine in blue, gold, or even green without any ink or coating.
This capability is often mentioned as the key reason of why small businesses buy MOPA fiber laser engraver instead of other laser types.
So how does it actually work?
What laser machines can produce color?
Which materials are suitable?
And how do you achieve stable, repeatable results?
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about color laser engraving. From the principle behind to practical steps for real production.
What Is Color Laser Engraving?
Two main physical mechanisms made laser engrave metal with color:
- The laser heats the metal surface in air, forming a very thin oxide film. Light reflecting from the top and bottom of this film interferes, enhancing some wavelengths and cancelling others.
- The surface develops periodic micro or nano scale features interact with visible light by diffraction and scattering. Creating structural colors that depend on the pattern’s geometry.
In many practical cases, the result is determined by the combination.
Why MOPA Fiber Laser Engravers Best for Color Engraving
Fiber Laser Engravers work at a wavelength that metals readily absorb. With MOPA system adjusting pulse width and frequency, they offer finer heat control than standard Laser Engravers. Therefore making stable, repeatable color effects on metals like stainless steel.
Check more about the difference between a Standard fiber laser and a MOPA fiber laser.
Meanwhile, Ultraviolet (UV) Laser Engravers can also produce simialr effect. Since their frequency and pulse can be adjusted to control laser beam, visible colors can be created on metal surface. Although they are not typically used for metal color engraving, and the result is less repeatable.
(ComMarker Omni 1 UV laser engraver color engraving)
CO₂ laser engraving machine use long wavelength that metals tend to reflect rather than absorb efficiently, while diode laser engravers typically have lower power and less precise beam quality. Therefore, these two laser types can’t provide metal engraving capabilities as strong as fiber laser systems.
Step-by-Step: How to Do Color Laser Engraving
Step 1: Choose the Right Material
For reliable color laser engraving, select metals that form stable oxide layers. The most suitable material is 3mm thick stainless steel sheets, but you can also choose from below:
Best Choices:
Stainless Steel: Produces vibrant, repeatable colors; mirror or polished finishes work best.
Titanium: Highly heat‑reactive, wide color range, ideal for jewelry or high-end metal items.
Limited or Unstable Materials:
Aluminum: Hard to produce oxide colors; better for deep or white engraving.
Copper & Brass: High thermal conductivity makes color control difficult.
Plastics, Glass, Stone: Cannot form oxide colors naturally without laser ink.
Tip: Always use clean, oil-free, smooth surfaces for consistent results.
Step 2: Create a Color Test Matrix
- Engrave a grid of color engraving parameter using material test.
- Record the parameters of the colors you desire.
This becomes your reference color chart for future projects.
Recommend color test grid setting for a ComMarker B6 60w MOPA Fiber Laser Engraver on Stainless Steel:
Power: 60.0%
Passes: 1
Frequency: 135.0 kHz
Q-Pulse: 8.00ns
Speed (mm/s): 600-900 (11 Rows)
Interval (mm): 0.003-0.01(24 Columns)
Step 3: Prepare Your Design in Layers
Import your vector design into LightBurn. Separate the design areas into different layers in your laser software.
Tips: A vector file is a type of image made of lines and shapes. You can make one by drawing or tracing your design in a program like Inkscape (free) or Adobe Illustrator and then saving it as SVG, AI, or DXF so your laser software can read it.
Step 4: Input the laser engraving settings to each layer
Apply the selected color settings from your test grid to each layer accordingly.
- Power (percentage)
- Frequency (kHz)
- Pulse width (ns)
- Passes
- Speed (mm/s)
- Interval (mm)
Even small changes can shift colors dramatically.
Step 5: Engrave & Evaluate
- Ensure proper focus
- Keep material level and steady
- Maintain stable environment temperature
After engraving, allow the workpiece to cool down before picking it up.
How You Can Use Color Laser Engraving in Your Business
Color engraving metal is more than just a gimmick. You can make:
- Premium branding plates
- Custom jewelry
- Industrial tags
- Consumer electronics
The more you can offer, the more chance you can get orders and gain profit.
Ready to Bring Color to Your Metal Engraving Works?
Unlock stunning, repeatable color effects on stainless steel, titanium, and more with the ComMarker Titan or ComMarker B6 MOPA Fiber Laser Engraver.
Start turning your designs into colorful, eye-catching reality today!
