Marking services and engraving services print, mark, or engrave images directly onto products or parts. Marking services and engraving services perform processes such as laser marking, laser engraving, rotary engraving, sublimation, electro discharge machining (EDM), and embossing. Engraving creates a design on a hard surface by cutting grooves into the surface. To avoid physical alteration of the surface, printing or hot-branding can be used. Laser engraving enables precise and clean engravings to be produced rapidly. Laser marking services mark products with permanent information such as manufacturing and service history, including automatic serialization and dating, graphics, and bar codes. Laser marking services work with products and parts made of steel, aluminum, titanium, brass cooper, plastics, rubber, ceramic, glass, wood, paint, paper, and composites. Jewelry engraving uses push-fit jigs to quickly clamp items that vary in size and shape, and a self-centering vice to speed work on one-offs or small production runs. Jewelry engraving equipment can use diamond and carbide cutters. Glass engraving can be done freehand using a diamond point drill. For production use, marking services and engraving services perform sand blasting, acid etching or laser etching. For industrial use, metal engraving uses computerized numeric control (CNC) engraving machines.<br><br>

Marking services and engraving services differ in terms of certifications and approvals. They often belong to trade trade associations such as Association of Industrial Laser Users (AILU). Marking services and engraving services can provide graphic design services as well as technical services. A marking service and engraving service can support Data Matrix and other codes. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) maintains standards observed by marking services and engraving services, including ISO 32 (gas cylinders for medical use – marking for identification of content), ISO 433 (conveyor belts – marking) and ISO 504 (turning tools with carbide tips – designation and marking). Marking services and engraving services meet UL Standard 963 for safety sealing, wrapping, and marking equipment.