How To Start A Laser Engraving Business

If you have been down the rabbit hole looking at lasers, you have probably been thinking about starting a side business or replacing your income all together.

This video gives you some basic information and things to think about when starting your business. Stay tuned for our future videos that go in depth on pricing and future projects.

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[sunrisetacticalgear]

I branched into a home business doing embroidery and heat press, I quickly noticed that the “design” is the most important, since anyone can buy equipment. Customers rarely have good artwork, but if I can help them over that hurdle I will most likely pick up a long term customer. I have spent the last couple of years learning Corel Draw.
My customer base is businesses, who don’t mind spending $500.00 rather than chasing “one off” customers who complain about a $20.00 job.
Keep up the great content.

[sebumgold]

First guy I've seen that keeps it real. So many videos that say make 100k with a diode laser. Sandblasting is a must for quality glass engraving. And yes you need to spend money on marketing.... The is no magic without work and money. Bottom line, it takes Capital Investment to make a business. Everything else is a pipedream when only making a hobbyist investment.

[rationalistinanev]

Thanks Ben! Respect to you for learning and developing all of this in your business.

[LizzieWestBathandBody]

Congratulations on your business venture! I'm glad to see you're in Indiana because right now I'm in Michigan.

I got my first 75 watt LMI in 1987 that was a single head belt driven table. It took up the size of a two car garage. LMI was produced in Somerset Wisconsin that laser was 145k.

In 1990 I won the bid for Weatherby firearms LaserMark. It pretty much paid for my machine.

In 94 with the earthquake that happened at Northridge in California I could not bring that beast with me and none of my help wanted to relocate to Michigan.

Weatherby still uses my design they have since bought their own laser and move to Atascadero California.

I can tell you some good stories and some horror stories my biggest concern is people don't know what they're doing and walk away these machines need to be supervised at all times!

I have a different laser at the moment but I have had it for almost 3 years and have yet to unbox it.

I will see if I can throw you some business from here I would rather delegate then do it myself!

Thank you for sharing! And yes I hit the like button and I subscribed!

[EricTyler-kj]

Thank you for your video. Does the fiber and Diode laser do the same thing?

[thnbishop]

I just met you at the Artesian fair in South bend.Great advise.

[fabby]

This video was very informative and helpful. Thank you!

[johngregg]

Good info.
I'd add that
1. Get your EIN (Employee ID number) free from the IRS
2. Get set up as an LLC in your state. In MN it's $150 or so. You can always change from to another form of incorporation
If you don't have these, then it's not a business, it's a hobby. And hobby expenses are not tax deductible.

And once you've done this, you'll find that you're VERY popular with the agency in your state that collects sales tax. VERY popular.

[madrb]

Great video, I hope you do more. I am getting a thunder Nova 35/100watt in February. I really want to start a business. Looking forward to more videos.

[shadowliving]

Excellent presentation covering all of the areas I was most interested in. Thank you. New sub today.

[learntodriveproperly]

I want to say thank you very much for that awesome video.That helps me a lot.Great infos and value as well.I am a new subcriber.

I just started with laser engraving with a diode laser and found out very quickly that my laser is to weak for the staff i want to do.So i going to upgrade whenever possible to a CO2 Laser with 80 or 100watt.But it should be also a laser what will fit inside my house because winters are very cold in canada where i live and garage is out of the question.That is for cars plus it would be first investment in heating and isolation before i could use this for myself. But yes the design makes me a lot of fun.Problem only is i have barely time for that because of my trucking job.but i will get there hopefully and will learn to create my own designs.


So BEFORE you buy a laser think and read a lot.That will same you time and money in the future for sure. Little tip. Engraving is good with Diode lasers but Cutting any material you need POWER and Diode lasers are not that powerful.Yes they can cut but with a lot of more time than any other laser plus it looks much better with Co2 or fiber laser for metals. Yes they are pricy but definitly worth just find the right for you.It all depends on what you want do with this laser.

[leekserious]

Woah bro, Very solid info! Thank you!

[Behnamradjojo]

New sub! Well presented and to the point! Please make a mire in debth video on picking out the first laser to start the momentum

[seanhouston]

There’s a huge gem in here that I overlooked almost a year ago when I saw this video before. Start designing BEFORE you get equipment and start your business. Learning Adobe Illustrator is probably the most difficult thing you have to do. Don’t waste your time on Inkscape like I did.

[robbillpries]

Great video 💯 I didn't know that you could copy a direct like to a review.

[NickLong-wb]

Thanks! I enjoyed this vid immensely!

[bosujotoulah]

jz wondering is the software easy to used for beginners?

[susanreed]

Would love to hear more about pricing and marketing

[anubin]

Great info. Looking to move from hobby into business. Currently doing CNC items and wanting to add engraving to the mix.

[shadowliving]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.