Yeah, so this is crazy: Finland-based Cajo Technologies has figured out how to use a laser to burn colors into different materials. "Our patented technology creates extremely precise, permanent and practically everlasting marking or colour patterning on almost any material without additives or pigments," the company writes.

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Here's a quick video of the laser laying down red:

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It's tough to tell with the lousy videography, but in this second video the finished red appears to even be gradated:

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Like you, I'm wondering how the heck this works--and the company ain't saying. All they'll reveal is that

[Our] color patterning and marking method is based on a unique innovative application of the traditional laser beam. [It] alters the surface structure of the material, and no additives or pigments are needed. The method allows for extremely precise, permanent and practically everlasting colour patterning on almost all materials.

Though the company states that they can do metal or plastic, all of the colored samples shown by the company appear to be on stainless steel.

Lastly, here's a sample of some of their other, non-color applications:

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