The laser engraving industry is booming, with the market expected to grow by 6.8% annually through 2030. Whether you want a side hustle or full-time business, this 2025 step-by-step guide reveals how to launch successfully while avoiding costly mistakes.

7 Steps to Launch Your Laser Engraving Business

1. Choose Your Niche (Profitability Analysis)

Top 5 Most Profitable Laser Engraving Niches in 2025:

1. Custom Jewelry (60-80% margins)

   • Engraved rings, pendants, watches

2. Corporate Gifts (Repeat B2B clients)

   • Award plaques, branded USB drives

3. Personalized Home Decor (Etsy bestseller)

   • Wood signs, acrylic LED nameplates

4. Wedding Industry (Premium pricing)

   • Glassware, champagne flutes, invitations

5. Industrial Part Marking (High-volume contracts)

   • Serial numbers, barcodes on metal

Pro Tip: Combine 2 niches (e.g., jewelry + weddings) to diversify income.

2. Select the Right Laser Machine (2025 Models)

Budget-Friendly Starter Options:

• xTool F1 ($1,199) - Best for jewelry/small items

• OMTech 40W CO2 ($3,200) - Most versatile for beginners

Premium Production Machines:

• Epilog Fusion Pro 48 ($15,000) - For high-volume work

• JPT MOPA 30W Fiber ($12,500) - Essential for metal engraving

Key Consideration: 87% of successful businesses upgrade within 18 months - plan for growth.

3. Legal Setup & Costs

Smart Hack: Form an LLC for asset protection ($125+ state fees).

4. Source Materials Profitably

Best Wholesale Suppliers:

• Wood/acrylic: Johnson Plastics (30%+ discounts at 50+ units)

• Metal blanks: Rio Grande (jewelry-grade metals)

• Glassware: Dollar Tree/BulkWholesaleGlass.com

Cost-Saving Tip: Use local makerspaces for bulk material discounts.

5. Pricing Strategies That Work

2025 Price Benchmarks:

• Custom keychains: $8-$15 (cost: $1.20)

• Wood signs (12"x12"): $45-$120 (cost: $8)

• Metal dog tags: $12-$25 (cost: $2.50)

Golden Rule: 3x material cost + $50/hour labor = Minimum viable price.

6. Marketing That Actually Gets Sales

Proven 2025 Tactics:

1. TikTok/Reels - Film "Before/After" engraving videos

2. Etsy SEO - Use keywords like "personalized anniversary gift"

3. Local Partnerships - Wedding planners, trophy shops

4. Google Business Profile - Get "laser engraving near me" traffic

Case Study: @LaserGiftsCo grew to $12k/month using just Instagram Reels.

7. Scale Your Business

Next-Level Strategies:

• Automate orders with LightBurn + Shopify integration

• Offer subscription boxes (monthly personalized items)

• White-label products for local businesses

First 90-Day Action Plan

1. Week 1-2: Test 10 products (sell to friends/family)

2. Month 1: Launch on 1 marketplace (Etsy/Amazon Handmade)

3. Month 2: Run $5/day Facebook ads to local audience

4. Month 3: Pitch 10 local businesses for bulk orders

2025 Industry Warnings

⚠ Avoid these mistakes:

• Buying cheap Chinese lasers without warranty

• Undercutting prices (race to the bottom)

• Ignoring ventilation requirements (health hazard)

Realistic Income Potential

• Side Hustle: $1,000-$3,000/month (part-time)

• Full-Time: $5,000-$15,000/month (with systems)

• Scaled Business: $20,000+/month (team/automation)