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Marking light anodized aluminium

What options are available for achieving a "permanent" mark (other than the base metal color) on light colored anodized aluminium? I've tried laser engraving but there is no contrast, especially on a light blue and gold. Are there options using a laser? I'd like to stay away from "printing" operations as the mark is not so permanent.

Thanks,

Michael Smith
Creatio - Anderson, South Carolina
2002

Check with some anodizers that do 2 color nameplate like functions. There was a guy down in Texas I met once a few years back that had a process called Ano-Plate. For multiple and opposing color anodizing on nameplates. They basically spray a resistance ink on a base color anodized plate, strip the remainder off, and re-anodize the part. I think that would fit your needs here and allow you to forget about silk screening of printing of that nature. It was very sharp in detail and impossible to tell it was actually anodized after it was done.

Matthew Stiltner
plating company - Toledo, Ohio
2002

There is a company called Deming Industries in Idaho that does lots of sophisticated graphics in their anodizing processes. They do everything from camo on hunting bows to multicolor nameplates. These are high quality people who know the proper way to do these things.

Chuck Reichert
- Seattle, Washington
2002