A method for matching and tracking workpieces in laser etching operation includes generating by the computer a label image that uniquely identifies the workpiece, moving a laser head to the workpiece, setting the laser head to a first power level by a power controller, etching the product image on the workpiece using a laser beam emitted from the laser head, wherein the laser beam is modulated at the first power level in accordance with a product image in a pixel wise fashion across the workpiece, moving the laser head to the label by the transport mechanism, setting the laser head to a second power level by the power controller, etching the label image on the workpiece using a laser beam emitted from the laser head, wherein the laser beam is modulated at the second power level in accordance with the label image in a pixel wise fashion across the label.