A piercing device (150) contains a recessed piercing element (160) and is configured to receive a distal end (118) of an inhaler article (110). The piercing element pierces or punctures a single hole into a capsule contained within the inhaler article when the inhaler article is seated into an inhaler article cavity (157) of the piercing device. The piercing device includes a marking element (170) extending into the inhaler article cavity from the housing inner surface (152). The marking element is configured to mark an outer surface of an inhaler device when the inhaler device is received within the inhaler article cavity. The marking element extends orthogonally to the piercing element longitudinal axis.