Refining with laser engraving | How to make money with a laser (2024)

Ballpoint pens of high-qualitywith unique engravings can be sold for $15. Depending on the amount purchased, these can beboughtfor as little as $1.50 per unit. "Laser cost" is typically caluculated at $1 per minute of laser use in the laser processing industry. Therefore, it is easy to determine costs based on various graphics and processing time. In the ballpoint pen example, if your engraving takes 15 seconds, the laser costs will equal to 25 cents per unit. Even when you consider labor costs, it is quite simple to see that laser engraving can make a large profit.

Adding a surcharge for the laser engraving is one approach to attaining higher profit margins. Using this system, the unprocessed promotional item is comparable to other suppliers, and is offered at a lower price point.Adding an engraving, therefore, results in a surcharge.It is reasonable to apply roughly 1 dollar/laser engraving, depending on quantity and size.Meaning that the purchase of a laser system(average value - depending on size and equipment) is already economically viablewith roughly one hundred items per week.With greater order volumesa viable possibilityin theline of promotional items, as well as no fixed costsbeingaquired in laser processing,promotional item suppliers and retailers can boost the profitability of their company with laser engravings and laser markings.

Some suppliers of promotional items offer laser engraved markings at almost no extra charge (only a few cents per unit). The idea is that the profit is already made in the product price and the customer feels like they are getting a high-quality engraving forvirtually nothing.Since laser processing does not bring about any variable costs (i.e. no consumables are required, with the exception of labor costs) and given that promotional items are never actually purchased without branding, the fixed costs can be included in the price of the unmarked product. Due to high quantities - e.g. with giveaways - retailers of promotional items can generate more sales and revenue with very low acquisition costs, and thus also increase profitability.