Printing on Stainless Steel: Precision Marking or Metal Parts
Stainless steel is all around us: kitchen appliances, medical devices, structural elements, giveaway drinking glasses, manufacturing tools, etc. This metal is strong, durable, anti-corrosive and has a long-lasting shine. Unfortunately, those very features which make it so special make stainless steel one of the most challenging metals for marking. If done improperly, you risk getting a scratchable, uneven and overall unappealing mark. When printing on stainless steel properly, you should not only select the right type of ink but also go through a whole marking process tailored specifically for this metal. What Makes Stainless Steel Tricky to Mark? Some characteristics of stainless steel hinder common marking techniques: It has a smooth and low-porosity surface, which does not hold ink well. It has a reflective surface that makes it difficult to read marks with poor contrast. It is harder compared to many other metals; hence, marks made will wear out due to abrasion quickly. It ha...