How To Make Money With Your Laser Engraver

Example: Laser-engraved ballpoint pen with surcharge for laser engraving

For example, high-quality ballpoint pens with individual engraving are sold for €15, these can be purchased for as little as €1.50 per unit depending on the order quantity. In the laser processing industry, "laser costs" are usually calculated at €1 per minute to cover the laser time. Thus, different graphics or the duration of the engraving can be quickly quantified in terms of costs. Using the example of the ballpoint pen, this is 25 cents per unit in laser costs for an engraving duration of 15 seconds. Taking labor costs into consideration, it is nevertheless very easy to see that laser engraving can make good money.

Laser engraving ballpoint pen: 1 unit
Purchase price of a ballpoint pen:	€1.50
Engraving duration for 1 unit:	15 seconds
Engraving costs (€1/min):	€0.25
Labor costs (€40/hour):	€0.11
Retail price with engraving per order at 1 unit:	€15
Profit per unit:	€13.14/unit

Laser engraving ballpoint pen: 150 units
Purchase price of 150 ballpoint pens:	€ 225
Engraving duration for 150 units:	15 min
Engraving costs for 150 units (€1/min):	€ 15
Labor costs (€40/hour)	€ 10
Retail price with engraving per order at 150 units:	€ 2,250
Profit per order at 150 units:	€2,000/order at 150 units

Laser technology also makes personalization efficient for high-volume production

It's not just the personalization of individual items or small batches that can be implemented cost-effectively with a laser machine. Larger orders of personalized products can also be economically produced using a laser, so even more money can be earned. Templates are an extremely useful tool for larger orders, allowing you to engrave multiple pieces in one operation and save time. The output is maximized when the template is adapted to the work area of the laser machine.

We will illustrate this using the example of a ballpoint pen. Engraving a single pen takes approx. 15 seconds. Engraving 150 ballpoint pens using one template over the entire work area takes approx. 15 minutes. All of the ballpoint pens are engraved in one go. Time-consuming handling due to individual placement and removal is eliminated. Click here to find out how to easily create the right template for your workpieces:

Create templates

Profitable product mix: Specialization versus wide product portfolio

A variety of materials can be processed with a laser and thus many customer requests can be realized. To begin with, a wide range of laser-engraved products is certainly a great way to find out which items appeal to the market and which products can be used to earn good money. Whether a specialization in certain products and materials takes place over time or a deliberately broad portfolio is offered, is a strategic decision for every company. This decision is significantly influenced by the competitive situation in the region in which you operate: Are you the sole provider of laser services? Or is there already a specialist? For example, are glass engraving or wedding decorations sold around the corner?
As an entrepreneur, you should carefully consider your business model and weigh the advantages and disadvantages for yourself.

In terms of specialization, the workload and output can be optimized as best as possible, as the applications are always similar and you develop into a true specialist. Thus, set-up times are minimized and profit maximized. From a broad product portfolio through to individual customer projects and individual pieces, however, although you're not a specialist in a certain area, customers for custom-made items are willing to pay more, which in turn leads to higher margins.