Comparing Costs of Laser Marking and Traditional Screen Printing

The article will compare the core costs of laser marking and traditional screen printing, including equipment investment, consumables, production efficiency, and long-term maintenance costs.It uses real-world cases and data to help companies choose the most economical and efficient process based on their production requirements. It is especially suitable for readers who want to learn more about laser engraving costs, the advantages and disadvantages of silk-screen printing, and comparisons of manufacturing processes.

Why are businesses more concerned about the cost of craftsmanship?

For startups or mature factories alike, controlling production costs is a subject that cannot be avoided.In this issue, we will compare the two most popular methods for marking products: laser marking and screen printing. We will look at the costs of each process, and discuss how to determine which is best for your needs.

Investment in equipment: lump sum or drip feeding?

This was the initial hurdle to overcome in developing laser marking.

At first glance, laser equipment seems expensive. A basic model can cost between NT $ 80,000 and NT $ 150,000.But there is a hidden advantage to this--it is a one-time investment.For example, the fiber laser, a core component, has a service life of 20,000 hours or more, and routine maintenance is just basic operations like cleaning the lens.

The model of continued investment in silk-screen printing.

The entry price for silkscreen equipment (NT $ 30,000 to NT $ 50,000) may be low, but the costs of maintaining a business are bottomless.The materials used for screen preparation, ink, and screen cleaning solvent are consumed with each order.The most troublesome problem is the cost of labor. The steps of mixing ink and applying colors are difficult to master.

Hidden cost traps in the production process

Material compatibility.

Laser marking is stable on metal and plastic, but may require repeated adjustments of parameters on special coatings or on curved surfaces.Although screen printing is very versatile, when dealing with irregularly shaped objects the cost of the molds alone eats up a lot of profit, not to mention the cost of wasted materials from failed prototypes.

The amount of orders decides the cost curve.

Laser marking is more cost-effective for small orders (under 500 units), as it saves on the cost of making the molds.But once orders exceed 5,000, the cost advantage of screen printing becomes apparent, just as with printing, the more you print, the lower the cost per unit.

Changes in the long-term use of accounts.

The true cost of maintenance.

Anyone who has ever worked in a silk-screen printing factory knows that the company has to spend extra money every month to treat its waste water and exhaust gases.Although laser equipment requires periodic replacement of the focusing lenses (about every two years), the overall maintenance costs are less than one third of those of screen printing.

The cost of upgrading.

Today customers are demanding ever greater precision in the markings, and a deviation of even 0.1 mm may lead to a product being returned.Laser engraving allows for changes to be made at any time, while screen printing requires a new screen for every change, a costly process.

When choosing handicrafts, these are the key points to look for.

1. Material: Laser is a good choice for metal, while screen printing is better for glass and ceramics.

2. Order size: 500 is the dividing line.

3. Precision: For fine patterns of 0.2 mm or less, laser engraving is recommended.

4. Environmental pressure: Some companies are being pressured to switch to laser technology because of environmental regulations.

You should have noticed by now that there is no one "best" method, only the one that is most appropriate.I suggest that people try out the actual product before making a decision, and calculate in all the hidden costs, such as material waste and labor time, in order to find the best solution.