Rare earth frits for fluorescence and methods for laser marking applications

A marking composition for forming marks or indicia on a substrate, the composition comprising:

• from about 60 to about 95 wt. % of a carrier;
• from about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % a glass frit, the glass frit comprising:
• from about 8 to about 60 wt. % SiO2,
• from about 0 to about 30 wt. % Al2O3,
• from about 0.1 to about 15 wt. % B2O3,
• from about 5 to about 30 wt. % Na2O,
• from about 0 to about 8 wt. % CaO,
• from about 0 to about 8 wt. % Li2O,
• from about 0 to about 30 wt. % SrO, and
• from about 0.1 to about 50 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of terbium compound, europium compound, cerium compound, gadolinium compound, samarium compound, dysprosium compound, vanadium compound, and combinations thereof, wherein;
• the glass frit has an average particle size within the range of from about 0.1 to about 20 microns, and wherein;
• the glass frit is devoid of at least one of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium and combinations thereof.