Laser engraver enthusiasts looking for ways to make more money from their hobby will be excited to learn about these easy-to-do money-making ideas. It is becoming more and more popular to use laser engravers to create custom designs that would otherwise be very costly to produce by hand.
My first thought on starting a laser engraving business was that it will be hard to compete with those established businesses. After doing some research, there are many ways you can set yourself apart from the competition and start earning money in this business niche.
Are you interested in making money with a laser engraver? Here is a list of the best ways to make money with a laser engraver. With a good understanding of the market and how laser engraving works, you can make as much money with your engraver as you want.
Sounds like your dream business right? Let’s get started.
1. Engrave gifts for weddings
A wedding is the most important day in every young person’s life. One of the many ways to make money with a laser engraver is to engrave gifts for weddings.
For many people, one of the highlights of their wedding reception is unveiling gifts that have been specially engraved by a close friend or family member. Engraving gifts with sentimental messages using a laser engraver could be a real money-spinner.
For example, you may make the rings out of leather and engrave the signatures of the bride and groom into them. Furthermore, you can also engrave messages inside rings The possibilities for such custom-made gifts are practically endless.
2. Apply to work in a laser engraving company
Laser engraving is a growing industry. You can apply for laser engraving jobs with one of the companies that are hiring and make money for each piece of work that you do. Job opportunities are available worldwide making it a great side business to moonlight from your main gig.
The best way is to start in such companies and try to learn as much as possible about the process of laser engraving. Companies that use laser engravers also need the services of laser repairmen, laser instructors, software developers, etc.
If you were taught about the uses of a laser engraver in school you can also get a certification once you learn as much as possible. When everyone else is out looking for a job, you will be getting paid for doing what you love to do.
3. Create engraved jewelry and watches
Think of engraving as art that never goes out of style. Engraved cufflinks, rings, jewelry, and watches are timeless gifts that anyone can enjoy.
With a laser engraver, you can offer hand-engraved jewelry and watches. Here’s how: First, design your artwork on an external computer and download it to the laser engraver. After that, simply run the engraved jewelry or watch through the machine. Your product is done!
A personalized jewelry collection is one of the hottest items you can engrave for any occasion, and it’s a great way to get started on making money with a laser engraver.
People pay about $10 – $100 for custom engraved jewelry and watches. The price might be higher if it’s vintage.
4. Create custom laser engraved key chains
With a laser engraver, you can change the world one keychain at a time. Whether it is a personal gift or just a special souvenir from your trip to the beach, a personalized engraved key chain is always guaranteed to make an impression.
Now you can help people bid farewell to the old hand-made style keychain and say hello to the possibilities that await your laser engraver.
Keychains to be used as souvenirs are made in bulk. If you charge $3 per one, and you are asked to make 1000 custom keychains, that’s $3,000 for some you can do in a day. Cool right?
5. Create custom car number plates for clients
Before, the only customizations that could be done were the stickers on the back or sides of the car. Luckily for us, there are now laser engravers that can design any number plates for your car.
Laser engraved number plates are becoming more and more popular, you can make them for clients and make money from them. Ideal for bikers, car clubs, event organizers, and the proud owners of high-end vehicles.
Imagine how much you’ll make if you engrave car plates for a Bugatti or Lamborghini owner.
6. Offer engraving workshops, seminars, and classes
There are a lot of hobbyists, artists, and home users who would like to learn the basics of laser engraving.
You can teach people to use laser engraving machines, software, and materials. You can charge people to come to your location or you can teach them remotely by internet. To start, you should consider the following.
- For physical sessions, find a place to host lessons
- For online sessions, choose an ideal online course platform or webinar platform.
- Offer basic and advanced courses
- Price the classes
- Craft a lesson plan
- Schedule time to give lessons
- Find students/attendees/sponsors by advertising your services
- Be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about what you are doing
- Choose the right lead generation tools for you so you can improve the profitability of your laser engraving class business.
Depending on your locale you may be able to reach out to local universities, community colleges, art centers, art supply stores, and maker spaces. Teach how to use the power of laser engravers for everything from logo-engraved gifts to laser-cut costumes and whatever other crafty idea they can conjure up.
Learn more: How to make money with online courses.
7. Sell templates for other laser engravers
Laser engraving is becoming more and more popular every day. With this increased popularity it comes an increased need for quality laser engraving templates. What many people are discovering is that they can make money selling their laser engraving designs to other laser operators.
You can easily make a template from a high-resolution image of your art, then sell it to anyone who wants to use it. Selling templates can be a great way to make friends too.
If you promote yourself as being willing to help out novice artists learn the machine trade before moving on with a new design. The key is to make it as easy as possible for people to buy your templates.
You will charge for the template based on the complexity and sophistication of the design.
8. Engrave trophies and awards
Customizing awards and trophies with a laser engraver will allow you to make a lot of money. The right laser engraving can add an extra wow factor to any trophy or award. The more expensive the trophy, the more they are likely to be worth engraving.
And trophies aren’t just for sports. In fact, why not add a special touch to any gift by engraving the recipient’s name onto it? It’s a memorable way of adding value and shows that you have put some thought into the gift.
Often schools have engraved trophies for their athletic teams displayed in offices, gymnasiums, and trophy cases. Military units even have member engravings on plaques that are displayed in a variety of locations.
Furthermore, some customers will hire you to engrave a trophy they already own. You could offer this additional service for an additional fee. Your customers will be coming back to you for additional business when you offer them exceptional engraved trophies and awards.
9. Enter a laser engraving contest or competition
A laser engraving contest or competition can bring you in touch with some of the best engraving experts in the world. A laser engraving competition is a great way to gain more exposure to the laser engraving industry. It is also a great way to make money with laser engraving.
First of all, you have to win the competition itself if you want to get paid for your artwork/design. Next is time to prepare yourself for such competitions.
By entering a contest with a cash prize, there is potential to win money that you can use to reinvest into your business.
10. Rent the laser engraver to others
Laser engraving is an excellent opportunity to make extra income on the side. By renting your laser engraver, you can make a significant amount of money that can help contribute to paying off the cost of purchasing the engraver in the first place.
Another option is to work with other people in this kind of business. There are times when a colleague’s engraver is down or the fellow is behind schedule. They may need to outsource and then you get paid for your quota.
You can easily rent your engraver out for $30-$50 per hour.
What Is the difference between laser engraving and etching?
There is a possibility you’ve heard of etching and wondered if laser engraving is the same. Laser engraving and laser etching are similar but different processes used to customize flat surfaces like metal, glass, wood, and more.
Laser engraving uses a high-power laser that cuts into nearly all materials while etching uses chemical processes to remove material.
How much money can you make with a laser engraver?
On average, you can expect to make about $13 to $15 per hour. That equals about $27,000 to $32,000 per annum. How much money you make with a laser engraver depends on many things. They include your location, the size of your business, and even how much time you can dedicate to your business.
The truth is that you can make as much money as you want with a laser engraver. There are no limits to what you can earn.
FAQs
What exactly is a laser engraver?
A laser engraver is a device that is used to engrave and etch objects like glass, wood, rubber, etc. with the help of a laser beam. The sensor-based lasers that are present in the laser engravers heat the surface of any object that comes in contact with it.
The hot surface melts the polymer and turns it into vapor. This vapor expands and pushes the surface away from the object along with the previously occurring layer to create depth. The process is repeated several times until a picture or pattern is engraved onto the object by your desired depth.
What do you need to start a business like this?
There is only one thing you have to purchase to get started. A laser engraver. There are many different models on the market, and they range in price dramatically. I would suggest looking at forums where people ask questions about starting an engraving business and joining laser engraving groups online.
The laser is just one piece of a laser engraver. To start a business like this, you will also need to have a computer and Corel or photoshop software. You might also want something that can measure the thickness and length so that you know what size material you need to work with.
How long does it take to learn how to use a laser engraver?
The laser engraver is mainly manipulated through mouse clicks for patterns you have uploaded into the computer. It takes a little over two weeks to learn the basic functions of a laser engraver. This includes setting up the device and learning how to use material settings.
Several factors affect how long it takes to produce a design. These include speed settings, contrast level setting, job size, etc. I will always recommend that the new user takes a laser engraver training course.
How to find more customers for laser engraving services?
There are plenty of ways to find new customers for laser engraving services. Local business organizations, trade events, and small business expos are all great places to market your services.
It is also important to update your social media pages, such as Facebook and Twitter with pictures of your work. Finally, a website is a must so that clients can find out more about your business and how they can take advantage of your services.
Final thoughts
Most people have a creative child-like curiosity to explore the world of 3D design and creation. If you are one of these people, you will find this article extremely useful. But if you are not a 3D designer or maker, the article should nevertheless still appeal to you. After all, it can be your source of income.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. The craft and art industries are booming right now. That’s why people are getting into it and making a lot of money from it.
There are some options on the blog you can use if you’re into craft or want to learn how to make money from it. Check out the article on how to make money with graphics design. Also, check out how to make money with art.
If you enjoy handy work, you might be interested in the article on how to make money with woodworking. Although I could continue to list articles, I encourage you to visit the blog for more information.
The goal of Tosinajy is to raise awareness of how one can make money online and offline by teaching both young and old how to do it. Therefore, the blog includes a section where you can find articles on how to make money in different areas.
Furthermore, you’ll find guides and software on how to successfully ensure income from your interest.
Thank you for reading.
