Where keyboards and other data entry devices are required for industrial applications and kiosks for public Internet access, laser marked keys are essential for readability and permanence. Laser marking allows a fully assembled blank keyboard to be marked with no damage to the electronics, as heat from the laser process is minimal. If specific keys are required for each country then this is especially useful as the marking can take place at the end of manufacture and the keyboard can be shipped with no further work required.

Keys can be in moulded plastic or metal. (Often colour anodised aluminium or stainless steel.) The key material is chosen so that a high contrast, abrasion resistant mark can be achieved.

FIMARK has been involved in backlit military keyboards where translucent buttons are painted white and then black and the text is laser etched back to the white. This technology is commonly used on car dashboards and mobile phone keyboards to allow use in low light conditions.
Recent projects have included painting and etching of keyboard buttons for digital mixing desks for the film industry.