[Litografa]

I have got questions from few CNCzone members with questions about security label stock for laser engraving. So here is overview.

Security label stock engraving for some engraving shops is extremely important as bring higher than usual added value and repeatable high-volume orders. The idea of security label stock is NON REMOVABLE STICKER, which provide evidence of void and its impossible move this sticker from original place to another. So main areas of application is automobile production (VIN manufacturing), industrial marking, PC/memory guarantee sticker, inventory numbers of equipment and furniture in big companies, banks, marking for extreme conditions (high/low temperature, oil/petrol/some chemicals contacts)
There is two main manufacturers of this type of films – 3M and TESA.

3M offer for open sale three types of films – Black Gloss/Engrave White, Black Matte/Engrave White, Silver Matte/Engrave Black. Special orders for big customers like automotive industry (White/Engrave Black, High Glossy Silver/Engrave Black) available. 3M marketing and sales mostly oriented to big customers.

TESA offer much wider range of security label stock for lasering – standard Black Gloss/Engrave White, Black Matte/Engrave White, but also White/Engrave Black, Clear/Engrave Yellow and other. TESA products are cheaper, available thru network of BASF representatives all over the world.

Quality of products from both manufacturers is perfect. There is some regional preferences like customers in Eastern Europe prefer 3M, in Germany TESA is leader.
Products usually supplied in master rolls length 305 meters. Standard roll widths – 90, 100, 120 mm.
Width range mostly depend from fact that 75% of engraving on this films is done with galvo lasers due necessity of high production. Small runs could be made with flying optic lasers. Both CO2 and NdYag lasers work well on these films.
Settings for 30 Wt CO2 lasers usually are S100%, P12%.

Specifications for 3M films:
Top layer 12 mkm
Bottom layer 50 mkm
Adhesive Acrylic Clear 30 mkm
Layer 80 mkm

This numbers clearly show that you must specially prepare files for films engraving on flying optics laser to compensate smaller speed on turns.

In terms of marketing there is few important things:
1) This films very often are included in production drawing like method of identification, so sometimes customer is looking exactly for supplier who can engrave on certain film
2) These films are certified for marking of some types of equipment.
3) This is continuous products. If you once find customer for this type of product – you can have orders for next few years.
4) Usually runs are big
5) Price of final products (engraved labels) are not cheap, but customers understood why.
6) Replication of VIN numbers in many countries are illegal

[Litografa]

Here is attached CDR file with typical samples of what you can do with this films. One of very interesting applications is KEYBOARD STICKERS for localization. As adhesive is extremely strong, you can stick this labels to your keyborad and add non standard languages. You also can sell them to PC and office supplies shops.