Abstract: A tag feed system is used to feed tags through a marking machine, such as a tag printer or a laser marking machine, that marks information on the tags. A laser-marking system is used to mark and label information on metal tags, and a tag feed system for the laser-marking system that drives the tag material through the laser-marking system for marking. The laser marking system can include a housing, a laser for marking tag material, a tag unwind system for holding and supporting unlabeled tag material before it is marked and a tag retainer system for holding and supporting labeled tag material after it is marked. The tag feed system for feeding tag material through the laser marking system includes a housing unit that contains a first aperture through which tag material enters the housing unit for marking, a second aperture through which marked tag material exits the housing unit, and a lasing window through which a laser beam from the laser passes to mark tag material.