The problem
A mark a buyer can check
Our own lures needed a unique mark on each piece, and a way for a buyer to check that mark against our record.
What we built
The pieces of the process
- A serial engine that issues, voids, binds, reports and checks serials. It has 19 automated tests.
- Laser job files that mark each serial and its QR code onto the part, with test grids for the heat settings.
- Each serial links to a page on our store site.
How we chose the process
Heat, not engraving
We picked heat annealing over engraving. Heat changes the surface. Engraving can break through the plating on nickel-plated brass, which would expose the brass underneath. We chose from the plating, then tested the choice.
What we tested
Tests run so far
- Anneal settings on nickel-plated brass samples, run as test grids in September 2026.
- A larger QR code (0.5 mm modules) scanned off annealed nickel on October 1, 2026. Reported from that test; not repeated.
- Six marked units, as reported by the owner on October 5, 2026: 2 of 6 QR codes did not phone-scan. Their serials were readable. The larger code is marginal on curved nickel.
Not proven yet
What we have not shown
We list these so you can judge the process for yourself.
- Durability
- The fingernail test and the one-week water test are not recorded yet. We will not say a mark lasts until they are.
- Scanning a real serial
- We have not yet scanned an issued consumer serial from start to finish.
- QR on curved parts
- 2 of 6 QR codes did not phone-scan, as reported on October 5, 2026. The serial is the record and the QR is a convenience. We have not tested a bigger or different code yet.
- Field results
- We have no data yet on marks that have been handled or sold.
What we would do first
For a maker
Generic walkthrough, not a client. Mark three sample pieces of your part with each process you are considering. Run the fingernail and water tests on all three, then choose the process from the results.
Pricing
Quote on request
We do not publish a list price for marking. Tell us the part, the quantity and the mark you want, and we reply with a written quote.