The invention relates to a marking apparatus for marking an object comprising a marking head having a plurality of receiving spaces (24) for individual marking devices (40) and a driving mechanism for providing a relative movement of the object relative to the marking head in an advance direction (16) during a marking operation. The receiving spaces (24) are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns (30), such that an array of receiving spaces (24) with a rectangular pattern of the receiving spaces is formed, and the array of receiving spaces is tilted with regard to the advance direction (16) such that the rows (30) extend in a transverse direction relative to the advance direction and the receiving spaces (24) of a successive row of the rectangular pattern are offset with regard to the receiving spaces of a preceding row of the rectangular pattern in a direction perpendicular to the advance direction (16).