How to Make Money Laser Engraving | 10 Ways Explained

laser engraved beanie patches

Making money with laser engraving can seem like a huge hassle. However, as someone who started from scratch and built engravingthat.com, I’m here to tell you it’s not only possible, it’s incredibly rewarding. Hi, I’m Kevin, the owner of engravingthat.com, and I’ve been in the laser engraving business for some time now. Like many, I began with just an idea and a passion for creating unique, personalized items. I remember the night I got my laser engraver. The first thing I engraved was a dog tag. It wasn't the best looking dog tag either, lol, as the machine I owned did not come with auto focus.

In this article, I’ll share some of the secrets, insights, and tips that helped me turn my hobby into a somewhat profitable business. The path I took to earning an income might not be the same path you will take. I will start the list off with the path I personally chose as I had already took that path with another hobby that I have.

I’ll guide you through every step of the process.

Laser Engraving Business Ideas

1. Creating a Blog and YouTube Channel

Youtube channel screenshot

One of the most unexpected ways I’ve made money in the laser engraving space is through engravingthat.com and my YouTube channel. My top video on that Youtube channel currently sits at around 11,000 views. By sharing tips, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks at my laser engraving process, I’ve built a community of fellow creators. My blog and videos attract traffic, which I can then monetize through ad revenues like Google AdSense, affiliate marketing (recommending laser engravers and materials I use), and even some sponsored content.

Sharing my expertise is fun and I will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Here's a list of the ways to make money with a blog or your Youtube channel.

  • Ad Revenue
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Sponsored Content
  • Product Sales
  • Digital Product Sales
  • Online Courses and Workshops
  • Membership Programs
  • Merchandise Sales
  • Consulting Services
  • Crowdfunding or Donations

2. Custom Gifts and Personalization

aluminum business cards

One of the easiest ways to start making money is by offering personalized, custom-engraved gifts. The best idea I can give is to start out by making specialized gift for family and friends. The trick here though is to hand out all of these gifts for free. Now, hear me out. You will lose some money to start out with, but in the end you will have these same family members as your free advertising source. If you engrave say a special dog tag for one of your cousins, they might in turn tell their friends about it and they might know a few people who wants dog or cat tags. You might make special coasters for your aunts and they might in turn tell their visitors about your new adventure. This has always been one of my go to ways of starting any type of business.

I’ve found that there’s always demand for personalized gifts, especially around holidays and special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. It’s a great entry point into the business with a lot of room for creativity.

3. Corporate and Promotional Items

laser engraved slate

Many companies need promotional products, and this is where your laser engraving skills come in. Branded items such as engraved pens, business card holders, or plaques are little gift items that businesses hand out to customers to show their appreciation. I’ve worked with businesses looking to hand out personalized gifts at conferences or events and I have also , and this can be a very lucrative niche. Once you develop relationships with corporate clients, they often come back for repeat orders.

4. Wedding and Event Decor

Another profitable area is the wedding and event market. I have created custom-engraved table numbers, signage, and many more. Wedding planners are always looking for unique ways to make their client's big day special. This is where laser engravers offer endless possibilities. Engraved items can also be tailored to serve many other types of events like birthdays and baby showers.

5. Trophies and Awards

Engraving trophies, medals, and plaques can be a profitable business. Schools, gyms, business offices, and other organizations often need some type of awards engraved. It can be a reliable way to generate income because there's always a demand for these types of items.

What you can definitely do is hand out samples to these places or bring some of your work in to show them what you are capable of. Try to bring in some of your best works to impress them the first time around.

6. Home Decor and Artwork

I’ve found some success in creating laser-engraved home decor items. These come in the form of wooden signs and wall art. I've seen many people online offering engraved furniture pieces but to me I think there would be too much involved in getting into the furniture portion. The furniture portion would however be perfect for someone who works with furniture already. This could be someone who is a carpenter.

7. Pet Accessories

Pet owners will spend money on their little friends especially if it's something that makes their little friend look unique. I'm sure you have probably seen some of the dog or cat tags I've made on this website. Blank dog tags are cheap on amazon and eBay.

8. Leather Engraving

Working with leather can be fun and also profitable. I engrave leather wallets, keychain, ceramic coasters, cups with a logo, belts, hat patches, and patches for backpacks. Your laser engraver will be able to add that personal touch to any of these items that can be done to order.

I have just recently bought 50 leatherette patches and practicing on them.

9. Design Custom Clothing

Designing custom clothing might seem like a hard industry to get into, but you might be surprised that there's a lot of potential with laser engraving. I’ve personally added my own engraved patches to blank clothing and beanies, which has been a game-changer. With laser engraving, I am able to create unique designs on leather or leatherette patches that stand out. By attaching these custom patches to simple items like hats, hoodies, and jackets, I’ve basically transformed basic clothing into premium quality products. It’s definitely a great way to showcase your creativity and offer something truly unique to your customers.

10. Visit Craft Shows

craft show

Image credit: BurnPitCreations

I use my laser engraver to make money at craft shows by creating custom products like engraved keychains, cutting boards, and leather patches. People love to see the unique, personalized items in person, and craft shows give me a chance to talk to customers directly. I’m planning on visiting 3 craft shows before the year ends, as long as they fall on my days off from my regular job. It's a great way to showcase my work, make sales, and get new laser engraving ideas for future products.

Which laser engraver is best to start with?

This question comes up a lot when I talk to anyone who is considering starting a laser engraving business. The simple answer is a diode laser. Diode lasers are some of the cheapest ones you can find on the market and there are usually many different types of tutorials on how to operate a diode laser on Youtube. Depending on your budget, a diode laser might be your best bet. Diode lasers however have their limits.

If you plan on engraving metal more often, then you might want to consider getting a fiber laser. These types of laser are usually more expensive than a diode laser. Many Fiber lasers are able to engrave on metals such as:

  • Stainless steel
  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Titanium
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum
  • Tungsten
  • Carbide
  • Chrome

The price of the machine might be of concern to some people. It is up to you to compare the cost and the pros and cons of each machine. It is always wise to pay attention to the types of materials you plan on engraving the most.

Is laser engraving profitable?

Yes, laser engraving can be very profitable because people love custom, personalized items. I personally bought a laser engraver so I could sell products such as gifts, home decor, and business items.

How much money can you make with a laser engraver?

It all depends on what you make and sell, but some people make hundreds to thousands of dollars each month. I am currently making only a couple hundred dollars each month but I am growing each month that passes.

The more creative and unique your products are, the more money you can actually make.

Is laser engraving a good business?

Yes, laser engraving is a good business because there’s a big demand for personalized products right now. I have been running my business from home and it doesn’t need a lot of space, and you can sell products online or locally. I usually sell to people I know so I have a whole market that I haven't tapped into as yet. I have a regular job so I am not in the position just yet to grow.

What is the most profitable engraving?

Some of the most profitable items to engrave are:

  • Custom gifts like jewelry or cutting boards
  • Corporate products like plaques and awards
  • Home decor like wooden signs
  • Personalized phone cases and tech accessories

Conclusion

You have to view your laser engraver as a tool to realize the endless possibilities that it offer. This machine is able to bring your graphic design skills to life and also able to offer some type of mass production if that is what you want.

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