DES Engraving · Materials Guide

Materials Knowledge Center

Understand the strengths of different materials so you can choose the right option for your tags, plates, and signage.

Metals

Anodized Aluminum

  • Lightweight and corrosion‑resistant
  • Excellent for equipment plates and ID tags
  • Works well with laser engraving and UV printing

Stainless Steel

  • High durability and corrosion resistance
  • Ideal for harsh or outdoor environments
  • Supports deep rotary engraving and laser marking

Titanium

  • Exceptional strength‑to‑weight ratio
  • Used in high‑performance and specialized applications
  • Compatible with precision laser engraving

Plastics & Composites

Acrylic

  • Clean, professional appearance
  • Great for interior signage and branding
  • Works with engraving and UV printing

Polycarbonate

  • Impact‑resistant and durable
  • Suitable for high‑traffic or industrial areas
  • Ideal for overlays and protective panels

Engraving Laminates

  • Multi‑layer plastics for crisp engraved text
  • Commonly used for control panels and labels
  • Available in multiple color combinations

Vinyl & Printed Media

Vinyl

  • Flexible and versatile
  • Used for labels, wraps, and graphics
  • Cut or printed for high‑contrast visuals

UV‑Printable Substrates

  • Acrylic, aluminum, and composites
  • Support full‑color, high‑resolution printing
  • Ideal for branding and complex graphics