[189 Pages Report] The Laser Marking Market size was estimated at USD 3.90 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 4.25 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 9.59% to reach USD 7.41 billion by 2030.

The laser marking market comprises sales and services related to laser marking systems, which mark or label products and workpieces with a laser beam. In various industries, laser marking is considered a reliable, precise, and permanent method to imprint serial numbers, barcodes, and complex graphics directly on the surface of an item. Factors contributing to the development of the laser marking market include the rising demand for high-quality and authentic product marking, anti-counterfeiting measures, the development of end-use industries, and technological advancements in laser technology. Additionally, stringent government regulations regarding product traceability have compelled various industries to adopt laser marking systems, further increasing the market's growth. However, the high initial cost of equipment, the need for skilled technicians, and safety issues about laser exposure hinder the utilization of the laser marking machines. Also, the potential for competition from alternative marking technologies, such as inkjet printing and etching, poses a challenge to the laser marking industry. The latest opportunities in the laser marking market lie in developing new laser sources, such as UV and green lasers, which better mark heat-sensitive and complex materials. The shift towards Industry 4.0 and integrating IoT with laser marking systems for improved traceability and data logging presents futuristic market prospects. Expansion in emerging markets and the untapped potential in small and medium-sized enterprises can also be seen as a realm of opportunity.

In the Americas, the United States stands as a significant market for laser marking due to its advanced manufacturing sector and stringent regulatory requirements for product traceability. These markets, including Canada, invest in precision-focused laser marking solutions to meet demands across aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries. Investments and initiatives such as the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) underscore a commitment to innovation, with businesses emphasizing integrated solutions and services. Europe's laser marking market is molded by a strong emphasis on industrial standards and traceability, particularly in medical devices, automotive, and electronics. Compliance with EU regulations and a preference for connectivity and data capabilities highlight the alignment with Industry 4.0 concepts. Recent patents suggest a pivot toward sustainable marking solutions, supported by investments in digitalization and eco-friendly manufacturing under initiatives such as Horizon Europe. Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific region's laser marking market is burgeoning, propelled by the industrial ascendancy of China, Japan, and India. Mass production and exports in China necessitate efficient marking systems, particularly for QR codes and other identification methods. Japan's precision engineering and electronics sector demand high-accuracy laser marking systems. Meanwhile, India's growing manufacturing base is becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of laser marking for quality control and anti-counterfeiting measures. Moreover, the Middle East has an increasing demand for laser-marked products due to an expanding manufacturing sector and moves to diversify economies away from oil dependency. Africa is an emerging player, with key markets slowly adopting laser marking solutions for product identification and traceability, primarily driven by foreign investment and industrial development projects.

The market dynamics represent an ever-changing landscape of the Laser Marking Market by providing actionable insights into factors, including supply and demand levels. Accounting for these factors helps design strategies, make investments, and formulate developments to capitalize on future opportunities. In addition, these factors assist in avoiding potential pitfalls related to political, geographical, technical, social, and economic conditions, highlighting consumer behaviors and influencing manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions.

• Market Drivers
  • Significant demand for marking and engraving of products and materials
  • Robust advancements in hardware manufacturing worldwide
  • Growing adoption of 3D laser marking technique for medical applications
• Market Restraints
  • Potential errors associated with the use of laser marking machines
• Market Opportunities
  • Ongoing introduction of novel and advanced techniques for laser marking
  • Upsurging utilization of laser marking machines in packaging industries
• Market Challenges
  • Expensive technology and need for high precision machines

• Offering: Advancements to improve the software performance and interoperability of laser marking

  Laser marking hardware constitutes the physical components used in laser marking systems. This category includes laser sources (such as fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, and UV lasers), steering mirrors, lenses, marking heads, and the workstations or enclosures in which they are housed. The need for specific hardware can vary greatly based on application requirements such as material type, mark precision, speed, and environmental conditions. Services associated with laser marking include installation, maintenance, repair, training, and consulting. The need for services is high among businesses that prefer operational focus without the complexities of maintaining specialized equipment. Laser marking systems are essential for design, control, and connectivity, including CAD/CAM software for creating designs, laser control software to manage laser parameters, and integration software for production line communication.

• Material: Increasing usage of laser marking to engrave metal components used in diverse industries for traceability purposes

  Laser marking on ceramics is prevalent in aerospace, electronics, and medical devices due to the durability and resistance of marked information under extreme conditions. On glass, a UV laser can provide filigree and brilliant marks of high quality. UV-laser marking, compared to CO2 laser marking, produces micro-cracks of much smaller dimensions and, therefore, is adopted for marking drinking glasses or crystal watches to keep the surfaces smooth. Stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium are commonly marked metals that use various laser types depending on the desired outcome. A multitude of metallic elements find application in the hydraulics, healthcare, and medical industries. Laser marking stands out as an ideal technology to fulfill traceability requirements, especially in scenarios where the marking of identification codes such as QR codes is necessary. Laser marking on paper is used for security, branding, and personalization, focusing on creating marks without burning through the material. The laser marking process can be used to create patterns and designs on the paper-based material surface. Laser marking on plastics caters to a vast range of products, including consumer electronic devices, medical devices, and automotive parts, and allows for personalized customization with creative and unique designs.

• Laser Type: Increasing uses of diode lasers and solid state lasers in preference to their versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness

  CO2 lasers use a gas mixture composed mainly of carbon dioxide and are often used for marking non-metal materials such as glass, wood, leather, acrylic, and plastics. They are preferred for applications that require high-speed marking while maintaining precision and cleanliness. Conversely, diode lasers, often used for small hand-held devices and laser pointers, are also applied in marking materials such as plastics and metals. They are relatively low in power and are valued for their efficiency and compact size. Fiber lasers use fiber optics doped with rare-earth elements and are known for their high precision and energy efficiency. They are the preferred choice for marking metals and certain types of plastics, often used in the automotive, medical, and electronics industries. These lasers are opted for industrial applications that require high precision, durability, and long operational lifetimes for marking metal surfaces and various plastics with high accuracy and speed. Solid-state lasers use a solid gain medium, including glass and crystal doped with rare-earth elements. They are versatile, used for various materials, and specifically suitable for high-precision applications involving intricate details, such as the semiconductor and electronics sectors.

• Method: Rising adoption of ablation and laser engraving techniques in varied industries offering high production rates and good monodispersity

  Ablation laser marking is a method used to remove material from the surface to create a contrast without cutting entirely through the substrate. It is particularly useful for marking coated metals, anodized aluminum, and painted materials, as the laser energy precisely removes the top layers to reveal the base material. Ablation marking is ideal for maintaining the integrity of the underlying material, such as in aerospace and electronics industries, which cater to removing too much material. On the other hand, annealing laser marking involves heating the material, typically metal, to induce an oxide layer on the surface that changes the material's color, providing a visible mark without physical deformation. Meanwhile, laser engraving involves removing material from the surface of the substrate to create deep marks, which is ideal for crafting durable, highly visible markings that withstand extreme conditions. Laser engraving creates deep markings, which makes it more suitable than ablation or annealing for environments with high wear and tear. Laser engraving is the robust counterpart to the former techniques, recommended for its lasting impressions in harsh conditions, essential for heavy machinery and outdoor equipment.

• Product Type: Growth in the adoption of portable laser marking systems

  Fixed laser marking systems are stationary laser markers commonly utilized in manufacturing settings where products or components can be easily brought to the marking station. Fixed laser marking systems are characterized by their robust construction and are equipped with powerful lasers to mark a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics, with high-resolution graphics, barcodes, and serial numbers. Portable laser marking systems are designed for flexibility and ease of use in various environments, providing the advantage of bringing the marking process directly to the object. Portable laser marking systems are often lightweight with ergonomic designs and particularly useful for large, heavy, or immobile items that would be difficult or impossible to mark using a fixed system.

• Machine Type: Technological advancements in 3D laser marking machines

  The 2D laser marking machine utilizes a fixed-focus laser beam working within a two-dimensional plane to engrave markings onto flat or slightly curved surfaces using laser technology. The versatility of the 2D laser marking machine makes it preferred for a broad range of materials, including metals, plastics, composites, and ceramics. 3D laser marking machine is based on advanced technology designed to etch markings onto complex surfaces, involving variable focus height along their contours.3D laser marking machine is particularly beneficial for industries where high precision is crucial, such as the medical device, automotive, and aerospace sector to ensure optimal marking quality, even on cylindrical, spherical, free-form surfaces, or steep incline complex geometries.

• Wavelength: Adoption of laser marking system of 300 to 400 nm designed to enhance precision in high-speed manufacturing processes

  UV lasers, operating in the 300-400 nm range, are highly preferred for applications that require precision and minimal thermal damage. They are commonly used in the electronics industry for marking silicon chips and in the medical field for marking sensitive medical devices. Additionally, they are suitable for marking plastics and glass without requiring additives. Blue lasers (400-500 nm) are gaining popularity in copper marking due to their superior absorption characteristics compared to infrared lasers. This segment is primarily utilized in electronic industries for high-speed circuit board marking and in the automotive sector for creating high-contrast markings on electric components. Green laser markers in the 500-600 nm wavelength range are preferred for applications that require high contrast marks on highly reflective materials such as copper, gold, and silver. These lasers are often used in the electronics industry to create intricate markings on circuit boards and in the jewelry industry for hallmarking precious metals. Lasers with 600 to 1000 nm wavelengths are primarily used in industries where deep marking is required, such as metal processing. These IR lasers are well-suited for various materials and are the most common choice for engraving and annealing processes. This segment includes fiber lasers, which are reputed for their energy efficiency and robustness. Laser marking within the wavelength range above 1000 nm, typically using CO2 lasers, is well-suited for non-metal materials such as wood, glass, leather, and plastics. These lasers are essential in the packaging industry for coding and in the textile sector for cutting and engraving. Lasers that operate at wavelengths less than 300 nm are known as deep UV lasers. This wavelength range is less common due to the complexity and cost of the systems.

• Optical Power Input: Preference for 80-100-watt lasers for heavier usage and efficiency for industrial applications

  Lasers within the 25-80-watt range are versatile in the laser marking industry. Designed for moderate-duty cycles, these lasers balance between performance and cost-effectiveness. This power segment is well-suited for marking metals, plastics, and some ceramics with moderate to high speed while maintaining precision. Laser marking systems within the 80-100-watt power range are designed for industrial applications that require high marking speed and deeper engravings. This segment is predominantly used in environments with high production volumes, such as metal processing facilities and aerospace component manufacturing. The increased power input allows for faster throughput, making it a preferred choice for businesses looking to maintain high productivity with minimal downtime. Lasers exceeding 100 watts in power are geared toward the most demanding applications in laser marking, including deep engraving and high-speed ablation. Industries such as heavy machinery, shipbuilding, and large-scale metal fabrication find these high-power units essential for their operations. Lasers with less than 25 watts of power are most appropriate for light-duty marking tasks that involve softer materials such as paper, leather, and thin plastics. These lasers are commonly used in the packaging industry, craftwork, and small workshops. They offer high precision for delicate work but are not intended for deep engraving or high-volume production environments.

• Application: Barcodes are used in various industries to track and manage inventory and on invoices to help with accounting, retail, and inventory management

  Laser coding & marking machines are widely used in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries to mark batch numbers, expiration dates, and other essential information directly onto products and packaging. It involves using a laser to create machine-readable codes, typically for product identification and tracking, which includes applying alphanumeric codes, barcodes, and 2D codes on products or packaging, often for traceability purposes. Bar codes are ubiquitous identifiers used to track products and equipment across numerous industries, including retail, manufacturing, and logistics. The need for permanent, non-invasive bar codes has driven businesses to adopt laser marking technology. Laser marking provides high-contrast, durable bar codes that can be applied to a wider range of materials, from metals to plastics. Date coding is essential for product traceability, quality control, and regulatory compliance, most notably in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Laser marking technology allows for the precise application of expiration dates, manufacturing dates, and batch numbers onto product packaging. Laser marking of company logos is a popular method for branding and authenticating products in multiple sectors, including automotive, luxury goods, and consumer electronics. The precision of laser marking ensures high-quality, intricate logos that enhance brand image and discourage counterfeiting. Part number identification is a requirement in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery for inventory management, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Laser marking offers a reliable means of marking part numbers that withstand environmental challenges and frequent handling. QR codes provide versatile data storage that can be used for product authentication, customer engagement, and inventory management. They are particularly valuable in the age of smartphones, where scanning a QR code can redirect users to online content or product information.

• End-use Industry: Laser marking & coding systems are ideal choices for industries seeking innovative and reliable packaging and labeling solutions

  The aerospace and defense industry requires laser marking for various applications, including part marking for traceability, identification, and branding. The precision and permanency provided by laser marking are critical for safety and compliance with stringent aerospace standards, often used on materials such as metals, plastics, and composites. Laser marking permanently identifies automotive parts such as drivetrains, engine components, EV batteries, brakes, suspension components, seat structures, and stampings. Laser marking adheres to the industry's high-speed production rates and enduring legibility requirements, especially given these components' harsh environments. Healthcare applications for laser marking include marking surgical instruments, medical devices, and implants with unique device identification (UDI) codes for tracking and compliance with FDA regulations. Laser marking must be biocompatible, preventing the harboring of bacteria and withstanding repeated sterilization processes. Laser marking in the machine tools industry plays a vital role in labeling industrial tools and equipment, facilitating inventory management and regulatory compliance. Due to a diverse range of substrates, laser marking systems need to be versatile and capable of highly precise marking of hard materials such as carbide or tool steel. Laser marking in the packaging industry serves a diversity of functions, from coding batch numbers and expiration dates to branding and anti-counterfeiting measures. This industry heavily relies on non-intrusive, high-speed marking to maintain production efficiency and integrity of packaging materials such as plastics, glass, paper, and cardboard. The semiconductor and electronics industry relies on laser marking for etching serial numbers, QR codes, and other data matrix codes on silicon wafers, circuit boards, and electronic components. The precision, non-contact marking approach of lasers is crucial for these delicate and densely packed components. The industry values systems that deliver high-speed, micro-marking capabilities with minimal heat influence to ensure component integrity.

The market disruption analysis delves into the core elements associated with market-influencing changes, including breakthrough technological advancements that introduce novel features, integration capabilities, regulatory shifts that could drive or restrain market growth, and the emergence of innovative market players challenging traditional paradigms. This analysis facilitates a competitive advantage by preparing players in the Laser Marking Market to pre-emptively adapt to these market-influencing changes, enhances risk management by early identification of threats, informs calculated investment decisions, and drives innovation toward areas with the highest demand in the Laser Marking Market.

The porter's five forces analysis offers a simple and powerful tool for understanding, identifying, and analyzing the position, situation, and power of the businesses in the Laser Marking Market. This model is helpful for companies to understand the strength of their current competitive position and the position they are considering repositioning into. With a clear understanding of where power lies, businesses can take advantage of a situation of strength, improve weaknesses, and avoid taking wrong steps. The tool identifies whether new products, services, or companies have the potential to be profitable. In addition, it can be very informative when used to understand the balance of power in exceptional use cases.

The value chain of the Laser Marking Market encompasses all intermediate value addition activities, including raw materials used, product inception, and final delivery, aiding in identifying competitive advantages and improvement areas. Critical path analysis of the <> market identifies task sequences crucial for timely project completion, aiding resource allocation and bottleneck identification. Value chain and critical path analysis methods optimize efficiency, improve quality, enhance competitiveness, and increase profitability. Value chain analysis targets production inefficiencies, and critical path analysis ensures project timeliness. These analyses facilitate businesses in making informed decisions, responding to market demands swiftly, and achieving sustainable growth by optimizing operations and maximizing resource utilization.

The pricing analysis comprehensively evaluates how a product or service is priced within the Laser Marking Market. This evaluation encompasses various factors that impact the price of a product, including production costs, competition, demand, customer value perception, and changing margins. An essential aspect of this analysis is understanding price elasticity, which measures how sensitive the market for a product is to its price change. It provides insight into competitive pricing strategies, enabling businesses to position their products advantageously in the Laser Marking Market.

The technology analysis involves evaluating the current and emerging technologies relevant to a specific industry or market. This analysis includes breakthrough trends across the value chain that directly define the future course of long-term profitability and overall advancement in the Laser Marking Market.

The patent analysis involves evaluating patent filing trends, assessing patent ownership, analyzing the legal status and compliance, and collecting competitive intelligence from patents within the Laser Marking Market and its parent industry. Analyzing the ownership of patents, assessing their legal status, and interpreting the patents to gather insights into competitors' technology strategies assist businesses in strategizing and optimizing product positioning and investment decisions.

The trade analysis of the Laser Marking Market explores the complex interplay of import and export activities, emphasizing the critical role played by key trading nations. This analysis identifies geographical discrepancies in trade flows, offering a deep insight into regional disparities to identify geographic areas suitable for market expansion. A detailed analysis of the regulatory landscape focuses on tariffs, taxes, and customs procedures that significantly determine international trade flows. This analysis is crucial for understanding the overarching legal framework that businesses must navigate.

The regulatory framework analysis for the Laser Marking Market is essential for ensuring legal compliance, managing risks, shaping business strategies, fostering innovation, protecting consumers, accessing markets, maintaining reputation, and managing stakeholder relations. Regulatory frameworks shape business strategies and expansion initiatives, guiding informed decision-making processes. Furthermore, this analysis uncovers avenues for innovation within existing regulations or by advocating for regulatory changes to foster innovation.

The FPNV positioning matrix is essential in evaluating the market positioning of the vendors in the Laser Marking Market. This matrix offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining critical metrics related to business strategy and product satisfaction. This in-depth assessment empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success, namely Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

The market share analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth assessment of the current state of vendors in the Laser Marking Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions, companies are offered a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. These contributions include overall revenue, customer base, and other vital metrics. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With these illustrative details, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

• Tracr and Sarine to Collaborate on Diamond Traceability Solution

  Tracr Limited and Sarine Technologies Limited announced their partnership to create a cost-effective and scalable diamond traceability solution, leveraging the synergistic technologies of Tracr's pioneering blockchain platform and Sarine's Diamond Journey. This joint initiative aims to establish a reliable mechanism for tracing diamonds from their origins to their entry into G7 markets. The Tracr-Sarine solution offers an innovative digital ecosystem, including a customs portal specifically for G7 and other international government officials, ensuring verification and traceability at every step of a diamond's journey. [Published On: 2023-10-09]

• Videojet Launches New Laser Marking Systems Designed for Precise, Permanent Marking and Easy Integration

  Videojet Technologies broadened its portfolio of CO2 laser markers with the launch of its innovative Videojet 3350 and Videojet 3350 Smart Focus laser marking systems, tailored to deliver precise and indelible markings at swift paces, an optimum for industries such as food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and extrusion. These new additions introduce versatility through an extensive array of fonts, codes, and graphical designs, meeting the needs of manufacturers undergoing frequent product transitions. [Published On: 2023-06-14]

• Mitsubishi Electric and Coherent Enter into A Collaboration to Scale Manufacturing of SiC Power Electronics on A 200 mm Technology Platform

  Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Coherent Corp. have announced an alliance by signing an MOU, signaling a shared objective to enhance the production of SiC power electronics using a pioneering 200 mm technology platform. The alliance capitalizes on the strengthening market for electric vehicles, a segment where SiC power devices are integral due to their superior efficiency, enduring high temperatures, and swift switching capabilities. These benefits align with global initiatives toward decarbonization and ecological transformation. [Published On: 2023-05-26]

The strategic analysis is essential for organizations seeking a solid foothold in the global marketplace. Companies are better positioned to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations by thoroughly evaluating their current standing in the Laser Marking Market. This critical assessment involves a thorough analysis of the organization’s resources, capabilities, and overall performance to identify its core strengths and areas for improvement.

The report delves into recent significant developments in the Laser Marking Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Laser Marking Technologies, LLC, Datalogic S.p.A., Epilog Laser, RMI Laser LLC, Macsa ID, S.A., Sushree Laser Pvt. Ltd., TYKMA, Inc., Sea Force Co., Ltd., Omron Corporation, Trotec Laser GmbH, TRUMPF SE + Co. KG, Arihant Maxsell Technologies Private Limited, Videojet Technologies, Inc., Markem-Imaje by Dover Corporation, IPG Photonics Corporation, Gravotech Marking, Laserax, Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group Co., Ltd., Keyence Corporation, Wuhan HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd., Novanta Inc., Beamer Laser Systems by ARCH Global Holdings, LLC, MECCO, Domino Printing Sciences PLC, Coherent Corp., Telesis Technologies, Inc. by Hitachi, Ltd., ACSYS Lasertechnik GmbH, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, and LaserStar Technologies Corporation.

This research report categorizes the Laser Marking Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:

• Offering
  • Hardware
    • Conventional Lasers Marking
    • Turnkey Lasers Marking
  • Services
  • Software
• Material
  • Ceramics
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Paper
  • Plastic
• Laser Type
  • CO2 Laser
  • Diode Laser
  • Fiber Laser
  • Solid-State Laser
• Method
  • Ablation
  • Annealing
  • Engraving
• Product Type
  • Fixed
  • Portable
• Machine Type
  • 2D Laser Marking
  • 3D Laser Marking
• Wavelength
  • 300-400nm
  • 400-500nm
  • 500-600nm
  • 600-1000nm
  • Above 1000nm
  • Less than 300nm
• Optical Power Input
  • 25 - 80 watt
  • 80-100 watts
  • Above 100 watts
  • Less than 25 watt
• Application
  • Bar Codes
  • Date Codes
  • Logos
  • Part Numbers
  • QR Codes
• End-use Industry
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Automotive
  • Healthcare
  • Machine Tools
  • Packaging
  • Semiconductor & Electronics

• Region
  • Americas
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • United States
      • California
      • Florida
      • Illinois
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Pennsylvania
      • Texas
  • Asia-Pacific
    • Australia
    • China
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Malaysia
    • Philippines
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Europe, Middle East & Africa
    • Denmark
    • Egypt
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Netherlands
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Qatar
    • Russia
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Spain
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Turkey
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom

1. Market Penetration: This section thoroughly overviews the current market landscape, incorporating detailed data from key industry players.
2. Market Development: The report examines potential growth prospects in emerging markets and assesses expansion opportunities in mature segments.
3. Market Diversification: This includes detailed information on recent product launches, untapped geographic regions, recent industry developments, and strategic investments.
4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: An in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape is conducted, covering market share, strategic approaches, product range, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent analysis, technology developments, and advancements in the manufacturing capabilities of leading market players.
5. Product Development & Innovation: This section offers insights into upcoming technologies, research and development efforts, and notable advancements in product innovation.

1. What is the current market size and projected growth?
2. Which products, segments, applications, and regions offer promising investment opportunities?
3. What are the prevailing technology trends and regulatory frameworks?
4. What is the market share and positioning of the leading vendors?
5. What revenue sources and strategic opportunities do vendors in the market consider when deciding to enter or exit?