Learn how to make money with a laser engraver and you have a fantastic business idea that can create a great income.
If you are into crafts and are looking for a low competition side hustle, consider starting a laser engraving business.
You don’t need to invest a ton of money to get started with laser engraving and it can be a fun hobby that makes you some extra cash.
The laser cutting business ideas below will show you the most profitable laser engraved products that you can make and sell.
I’ll also take you through some tips for starting a successful laser engraving business including how to charge for your work and where to promote your business. We’ll also look at the best laser engraving ideas to make and sell on sites like Etsy.
25 Etsy Printables That Sell Well
Can I Make Money With A Laser Engraver?
Yes! Making money with a laser engraver is a really fun way to make some extra income or even start your own business.
You might be surprised at the different things people want engraved with a laser. From trophies to tombstones, there is a huge market out there for you to tap.
As with all businesses, you will need to market your business properly and provide excellent customer service and quality in order to be a success at your laser engraving business.
What Is The Difference Between Laser Engraving And Etching?
You might have heard of etching and wondered if it is the same as laser engraving.
In fact, they are two different things that produce the same result – marking metal with pictures, words and designs.
Etching uses chemicals to form the marks in the metal while laser engraving actually cuts the metal to create designs and words.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Laser Cutting Business?
If you want to start your laser engraving business from scratch, you will need some supplies first.
You will also need to invest in marketing materials such as a website for your business and promotional materials such as business cards.
Expect to spend around $300-500 for the full business set up including your laser engraver.
Here is what you will need:
- Laser Engraving Machine ($200-$1000) come to this group you will know get big discount on a Flag machine
- Laser Engraving software ($0-$200) come to this group you will get a Full function vision with Zero cost
- Website ($5 a month) or sell on Esty.com come to this group you will know how to setup a online store or how to open a store on Esty
- Social Media Sites (Free)
- Optional : Business Cards and flyers ($50
What Is The Best Laser Engraving Machine?
In the most important part of considering how to make money with a laser engraver is to choose the right machine.
The main things to consider when looking for a laser engraving machine are:
- Price
- Software compatibility
- The materials you want to engrave
- Size of the machine
- Compatibility with your computer- some machines are bluetooth while others will no work with Apple products.
Although you can buy laser engravers for around $200, expect to pay a little more if you are looking to start a laser engraving business.
The best all round laser engraver is the ATOMSTACK A10 PRO.
You can use it for cutting things like cheese boards, trophies and more. The learning curve is much less than for more expensive laser engraver machines which is great for beginners.
You can use it for cutting things like cheese boards, trophies and more. The learning curve is much less than for more expensive laser engraver machines which is great for beginners.
What Laser Engraving Software Do You Need?
LaserGRBL or LightBurn software are the most popular laser engraving softwareoptions.
They are compatible with the ORTUR Laser Master. They You can use this software on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, Mac OS and Linux.
LaserGRBL is free open source software that is perfect for the hobbyist engraver.
Lightburn is a paid software for laser engraving. It offers more options than free software. It costs $40-80 depending on the version you need although there is a 30 day free trial.come to this group you will get a Full function vision with Zero cost
What’s The Best Wood For Laser Engraving?
Look for wood that is:
- Light in color
- Has a high resin content
- Does not have a coarse grain
The best woods for laser engraving are plywood, alder, cherry, balsa, fir, and cork and engineered wood.
How To Make Money With A Laser Engraver
Now you are set up with your equipment, how do you actually make money with a laser engraver?
You have two main options:
- Offer laser engraving of products your client provides
- Sell products that can be engraved and personalized
Offering Laser Engraving Services
This is a great option if you want to make some money on the side. You can offer engraving services for items that your customer already owns.
So, for example, a sports team might source their trophies from a supplier then come to you to get the engraved.
How do you charge for laser engraving?
If you are simply offer laser engraving services with no products, then you can charge per letter or simple design.
You can also charge per minute that the laser is running, normally between $1-2 per minute.
Aim to make a 30-50% profit on every laser engraving project, although for smaller ones, it might not be possible.
If you are only laser engraving and not buying products, it might be easier to charge set prices. You essentially want to cover your costs and make money some in the process.
I found this handy calculator that might help you to price out your laser engraved products to sell.
How To Sell Engraved Products
If you want to really scale up your business, you will want to consider sourcing items yourself .
The profit margin will be much higher when you are selling engraved items that people can give as gifts or keep from themselves.
For example, you might want to sell laser engraved mason jars. You can buy a pack of 18 mason jars for around $30
On Etsy one laser engraved mason jar sells for around $17!
The profit margin is amazing on finished items. Read on for the best laser engraving ideas that you can make your own.