What is Marking? Where is it Used?
Marking is the process of adding a specific information, logo, symbol or serial number to a product, material or surface. It is often used for production, logistics, security and promotional purposes. Marking has a wide range of uses, from industrial production to retail, and is of great importance to businesses.
Branding Methods
Marking can be done with different techniques. Here are the most commonly used marking methods:
- Laser Marking: It is a type of marking done by changing the physical and chemical properties of the surface using a laser beam. It is permanent, durable and high resolution.
- Inkjet Marking: It prints on the products by inkjet method. It is especially preferred for expiration date, barcode and batch number writing.
- Dot Peen (Pin Marking): Adds permanent markings to metal and plastic surfaces with mechanical impacts.
- Electrochemical Marking: It allows marking on the surface of metals using electric current.
- Roll and Stamp Marking: It is a method generally used in the textile and packaging sectors.
- Thermal Transfer Marking: It is a marking method used especially in the packaging industry and offers high quality prints.
Where is Marking Used?
Marking has a wide range of uses in many sectors. Here are the most common areas of use:
1. Industrial Production
In industrial production, marking is important for product identification and traceability. It can include information such as the serial number, production date and barcode of products.
2. Food and Beverage Sector
It is used to mark information such as production date, expiration date and batch number on food packaging.
3. Health and Pharmaceutical Sector
Lot number, serial number and expiry date information on pharmaceutical packaging, bottles and medical devices are provided by marking.
4. Automotive and Aviation Sector
Durable and permanent marking of vehicle parts, engine components and aircraft parts.
5. Electronics and White Goods
Model numbers, technical information and certification marks on electronic devices are applied by laser or inkjet marking methods.
6. Jewelry and Jewelry Sector
Serial numbers, logos and special designs are engraved on gold, silver and other precious metals.
7. Packaging and Logistics
It is used for writing information such as barcodes and QR codes on cardboard boxes, plastic packaging and shipping labels.
8. Textile and Leather Products
Brand logos, patterns and production information on textile and leather products are processed by laser or heat transfer.
Advantages of Branding
Marking offers many advantages. These include
- Product Tracking: Ensures that products are traceable from the production stage until they reach the consumer.
- Anti-Counterfeiting: Marking is an important security measure to prevent counterfeit products.
- Durability: Methods such as laser and pin marking are long-lasting and indelible.
- Cost Advantage: Marking systems used in mass production offer faster and more economical solutions than manual labeling methods.
- Environmentally Friendly Options: Methods such as laser marking are environmentally friendly as they do not require chemicals.
Conclusion
Marking plays a major role in modern production processes in terms of quality control, safety and consumer information. Widely used in different sectors, it helps prevent counterfeiting and ensure traceability while increasing the recognizability of products. With the development of technology, marking methods are constantly being renewed and becoming more efficient.