How To Start A Laser Engraving Business
A field that has been progressing for quite some time is laser engraving. In fact, manufacturers of laser machines have seen increased interest and year over year sales growth in their machines and say the industry continues to grow at a rapid pace.
What Is Laser Engraving?
Laser engraving is cutting and/or etching into different product types including rubber, wood, metal, glass and mirror. Different engraving types require different types of equipment so it is important to do a bit of homework before you rush out and buy a machine. With the sophisticated engraving equipment offered for sale today, your business is only limited by your imagination.
How To Get Started:
First you need to know what type of products you will be creating and who you will be selling to. This is important because getting the right equipment is very important.
IN GENERAL: the bigger the engraving bed you have, the better.
Buying the right equipment, that allows you to engrave different sized products, is essential for allowing your business to keep up with and even outpace the competition. It also leaves more room for you to jump into mass production, as your orders grow in size, and also to be able to work with larger engraving pieces.
For some perspective, a 12 x 24 inch or 12 x 18 inch bed is considered standard and might be a good sized first machine. It is also recommended you get a machine that runs with a minimum 25 watts of power and comes with air assist and compression.
Machines & Tools:
As we have established, your machine will be your most important tool so select wisely. Another thing to consider is that different machines cut through different types of materials and have varying strengths. A good place to check out some equipment and learn more is Boss Laser. They offer all kinds of different machine types for you to check out and explore.
Boss Laser suggests you speak with a professional before you buy your equipment. They say there is no need to spend the money on the most powerful machine if what you are going to do does not require a lot of strength. Instead, you should save your money there and use it on essential tools you will need for what you do plan to do.
Why it’s a Great Business:
There are a few reasons why people are interested in laser engraving. First, there is an increased interest in personalized items with consumers so demand continues to grow. Second, lasers simply can engrave better, faster and with more precision than any of the older personalization technologies so it is by far the best choice for business.
In some markets, business owners are able to increase production and venture into areas that were never before thought possible.
So What is it Used For:
Laser engraving is a multi-disciplinary specialization that can be used in several ways. When most people think of laser engraving they probably think of trophies and award plaques. However, it is really so much larger than that. Laser engraving is now used on all types of craft items, personalized gifts, electronic hardware and in the fabric and apparel markets to help with pattern making and precision cutting.
Good news for you:
Many manufacturers of laser etching machines report that machine prices have been stable for the past few years now. So there has never been a better time to get into this type of business.
Profit Margins:
Another great thing about etching is the immense profit margins available to you and your business. Essentially, you are doing custom work and are setting your own prices..
Just Scratching the Surface:
A laser-engraving business could be just the thing you are looking for. You will want to decide what type of engraving you are interested in doing and then buy the right type of machine to help accomplish those goals.
According to industry insiders, lasers, with their speed and precision, are the future of manufacturing. With such a strong demand for now for laser equipment, it does not appear there is an end in sight.
Dan Fox is the co-owner of Boss Laser, LLC in Orlando, Florida. His company sells industrial co2 and fiber laser machines at their Orlando facility. Mr. Fox has a business degree and employs 25 employees consisting of mechanical and electrical engineers and qualified laser technicians. Contact Boss Laser should you have any questions.
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