A simple laser application on many plastics can cause a color change to a lighter or darker color. Darker markings are usually achieved by the part being carbonized, and lighter markings by the part being bleached.

To achieve a light, but raised marking, the laser is used to foam the surface material.

Specially in the field of day/night design, the process of coating removal is used. In this process a colored paint layer is removed from an inked up or transparent base material.