TherMark’s patented laser metal marking products offers a unique solution for creating permanent, high contrast, high resolution marks on a wide variety of surfaces, including most metals, ceramic, glass and many plastics. The revolutionary TherMark process uses precise lasers and marking materials scientifically formulated to permanently fuse to metals, plastics, ceramics, glass and other hard surfaces creating high-contrast, high-resolution marks. TherMark’s patented technology offers an unmatched combination of benefits that stems directly from the chemistry involved in its laser marking process.

• Permanent- Chemically resistant to solvents, acids and bases; abrasion resistant, will withstand temperatures above 1800ºF; withstands prolonged UV and moisture exposure
• High Resolution- Easily create UID laser marked barcodes, logos and fine text
• High Contrast- Black marks improve contrast for improved machine readability; maintains substrate integrity ; bonds to the product surface with minimal thermal energy; can be successfully applied to plated materials without penetrating the surface
• Flexibility- Laser process facilitates variable data such as UID barcodes, serialization and personalization; ability to mark metal with an inexpensive CO2 laser
• Color- A variety of colors can be applied to glass and ceramics

If you are currently using direct laser marking, TherMark laser marking materials will allow you to mark an even wider range of metals (including chromed and anodized surfaces), plastic and glass than you can mark directly without damaging the substrate. Our marks can be more permanent than some direct marks, higher contrast, and viewable from a wider angle.

Thermark & Cermark laser marking products are available in three types of laser marking solutions: inks or paste, aerosols, and tapes. Aerosol sprays and tapes are ready to use as sold, while inks may require dilution prior to application for proper consistency. Thermark & Cermark aerosol sprays are most often used for single and small runs – just pop off the top, shake the can and spray. Laser marking Inks or pastes are preferred for production runs to minimize cost, and are most often applied with an air brush.

Thermark & Cermark are easy to use. Simply apply a light coat of the laser marking spray, laser tape or ink to the surface of the material. During the lasering process, Thermark’s laser and marking materials are fused to the surface. After lasering, the excess solution washes away with warm water leaving a black or dark gray mark. Some glass and plastics can be laserd to produce a mark in a variety of colors.. For more specifics on how to use TherMark laser marking materials, click here.

Bold, black characters can be achieved with laser marking on a variety of metals including tool steel, stainless steel, most aluminum, brass, copper, tin, pewter, most silver, chrome, titanium, tungsten carbide and lead-coated steel.

Thermark/Cermark offers several products specially engineered for optimal laser marking of glass and ceramics. These products are scientifically formulated to create a permanent chemical bond to glass or ceramic surfaces. The visible color of the resulting mark may vary with the material being marked. Some experimentation and adjustment may be appropriate to obtain the highest color quality for the marking situation.

Metals can generally be marked with only black and dark grey. The exceptions are anodized and porcelainized metals that can be marked with a range of colors.

Prior to 2004, TherMark manufactured and sold its own proprietary laser marking inks and pastes under the TherMark brand while Ferro Corporation manufactured and sold similar materials under the CerMark name. In 2004, TherMark licensed certain technology to Ferro Corporation. Under this licensing agreement, TherMark Holdings Inc. began distributing Ferro’s CerMark branded products worldwide.

Darker Black Marks on Metal
• Stainless steel – Thermark LMM6000 aerosol or paste ink
• Chrome or nickel plating – LMM14 aerosol or liquid ink
• Anodized metal – LMM6018.LF self-adhesive tape
• All other metals – LMM14 aerosol or liquid ink

If marking speed is a key factor your best options will be determined by the thermal absorption properties of each product and your desired level of process integration. LMM14 has higher absorption at the wavelengths of operation of both CO2 and solid state lasers.
• Manual assembly (low volume) – aerosol application of LMM14
• Batch processing (medium volume) – airbrush application of liquid LMM14
• Inline manufacturing (high volume) – automated application of liquid LMM14

• Wet processing – aerosol (LMM14 or LMM6000) or liquid/paste inks (LMM14, LMM6000, or LMM6012)
• Dry processing – LMM6018.LF self-adhesive paper-backed tape

• LMM14 dries as a powder coating making it extremely easy to wash after laser marking but requiring laser marking soon after application due to possible smudging. If you prefer to handle, transport, or stack parts after TherMark laser marking ink has been applied, we recommend LMM6000 liquid/paste or LMM6018.LF tape.

Black on Metal
LMM14 - General purpose, aerosol & liquid ink
LMM6000 - General purpose, aerosol & paste ink
LMM6018.LF - General purpose & anodized, self-adhesive paper-backed tape
LMM6012 - Screen print paste ink
LMM6038 - Alternative for high shine metal, paste ink
LMM6046 - Alternative for aluminum & anodized, paste ink

Black on Glass
LMC6044P - Liquid ink (new, replaces LMC12 for glass/ceramic)
LMC260 - High speed non-adhesive tape

Black on Plastic
LMC12 - Liquid ink
LMP500 - Pad print ink

One Color on Glass/Ceramic (all liquid ink)
LMC34 - Red
LMC74- Yellow
LMC94 - Imitation Etch White
LMC98 - Bright White
LMC6001P - Bronze (new, replaces LMC28)
LMC6013P - Blue (new, replaces LMC48)
LMC6062P - Green (new, replaces LMC62)