How to choose a suitable CO2 laser marking machine?

To choose the right CO2 laser marking machine, you need to match the machine’s specific configuration to your business needs. The term “CO2 Laser” covers a wide range of machines, but for marking applications, the most critical choice is between the Laser Source Type (Glass vs. Metal) and the Machine Structure (Galvo vs. Gantry).

Here is a step-by-step guide to making the right choice.

This is the first and most important decision. It depends on whether you need speed (marking) or size/cutting capability.

Feature	Galvo CO2 (Galvanometer)	Gantry CO2 (Flatbed/Plotter)
Best For	High-speed marking, coding, logos, serial numbers.	Cutting shapes, processing large sheets, engraving photos.
Speed	Extremely fast (up to 7000mm/s).	Slower (mechanical movement of the head).
Working Area	Fixed, usually small (e.g., 100x100mm to 300x300mm).	Large and scalable (e.g., 600x400mm, 1300x900mm).
Typical Use	Marking expiration dates, leather patches, denim jeans, greeting cards.	Cutting acrylic letters, architectural models, wood crafts.

Verdict: If your goal is “Marking” (adding text/logos quickly), choose a Galvo machine. If you need to cut out shapes, choose a Gantry machine.

This determines the quality of the mark, the machine’s lifespan, and the price.

Pros: Produces a very fine, precise beam (0.07mm spot size). Very long lifespan (~20,000–40,000 hours). Air-cooled (no water chiller needed for lower powers). fast switching speed (good for detailed images).
Cons: Expensive (often 5x the price of a glass tube).
Best For: High-precision marking, barcodes, detailed graphics, industrial 24/7 production.

Pros: Very affordable. Excellent for cutting or deep engraving where precision is less critical.
Cons: Short lifespan (~2,000 hours). Fragile. Requires a water chiller. The beam is “thicker,” meaning it cannot do microscopic detail well.
Best For: Cutting applications, hobbyists, budget-conscious buyers.
Verdict: For professional marking, the RF Metal Tube is the standard. For cutting or low-budget engraving, Glass Tube is sufficient.

Higher power is not always better. It depends on the material depth.

30 Watts: The standard for marking paper, cardboard, leather, and wood. It can mark quickly but is weak for cutting.
60 Watts: Good versatility. Can mark deeper and cut thin materials (e.g., 3mm acrylic/wood).
100 Watts+: Primarily for high-speed cutting or marking denim (fabric burning). Note that high power can sometimes be too aggressive for delicate materials like paper, causing burning instead of marking.

In Galvo machines, the lens determines your working area.

Rule of Thumb: A smaller working area = Stronger marking power and finer detail.
Example: A 30W laser with a 100x100mm lens can mark deep into wood. The same 30W laser with a 300x300mm lens might barely leave a mark because the energy is spread out over a larger spot size.
Recommendation: Buy the lens that fits your largest common product, but don’t go bigger than necessary. A 175x175mm lens is a common “sweet spot.”

User Profile	Recommended Configuration
Industrial / FMCG (Food packaging, serial numbers, electronic labels)	30W RF Metal Tube Galvo. It’s reliable, fast, and requires zero maintenance.
Gift Shop / Customization (Engraving leather wallets, wooden coasters)	30W or 60W RF Metal Tube Galvo. Good balance of speed and detail.
Signage / Model Maker (Cutting acrylic letters, architectural models)	80W – 100W DC Glass Tube Gantry (Flatbed). You need the large area and cutting power, not speed.
Jeans / Denim Processing (Burning patterns onto fabric)	150W+ RF Metal Tube Galvo (3-Axis). High power is needed to cover a large area (legs of jeans) quickly.

What specific products or materials are you planning to mark? I can give you a more specific recommendation based on that.