To enable simple identification of a workpiece with little effort during machining of a workpiece on a processing machine, a marking method is provided which is to be carried out via the processing machine. The method includes a) providing a tool on a rotatable tool holder of the processing machine, b) relative linear movement of the tool holder and the workpiece along a line on the surface of the workpiece, and c) controlling the distance of tool holder and workpiece during the linear movement, so that a pattern of markings is produced along the line by machining with the tool to form the identification mark on the surface of the workpiece. Furthermore, a readout method, a machining method and a processing machine configured for carrying the method are provided.