System for identifying and marking individual automotive tires including use of a light sheet sensor enabled image processing for the identification of the tire type and the marking spot. The height profile of the raised symbols on the tire sidewall can be measured using the light sheet sensor and matched to a library of reference profiles stored in memory. The light sheet sensor measures the height profile of the tire sidewall for identifying the tire and for selecting the marking spot and where the light sheet sensor and a laser are mounted on a swivel arm. The light sheet sensor can be incorporated into a single- or multi-station system. A marking laser is adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by image processing.