When you think of working from home, you might imagine a day glued to a computer—which may or may not be a nightmare, depending on your personality! If you tend to value time away from screens and prefer working with your hands, starting a business with a laser cutter may be a great option for you. In this post, you’ll find plenty of laser cutting business ideas that will allow you to earn an income while also being creative and having fun!
What is a laser machine?
Before we dive into the various ways to make money with a laser cutter or engraver, let me first explain what they are.
A laser cutter is a computer-controlled machine that uses a high-powered laser beam to cut and engrave various materials such as wood, plywood, acrylic, cardboard, paper, leather, fabric, and more. The laser can cut with extreme precision and create intricate designs that would be very challenging to do by hand. This makes it a popular tool for creating personalized and unique products fairly quickly!
Laser Cutter vs. Cricut
If you are active in the crafting world, you have likely heard of vinyl-cutting machines like the Cricut. It’s important to note that a laser cutter differs from a Cricut in multiple ways.
A Cricut uses a blade to cut material such as vinyl or leather, while a laser cutter uses an actual laser. The two machines also have different capabilities and can cut and engrave different materials.
While a Cricut is excellent for creating stickers, decals, and small craft projects, a laser cutter has the potential to produce much larger pieces with more detail.
That being said, a laser engraver does come with a higher price point, and materials such as wood can cost much more than a sheet of vinyl. However, that also allows you to charge a higher price point.
Interested in learning more about the Cricut? Be sure to check out this article about how to make money with a Cricut!
How to Choose the Right Laser Cutter for Your Business
Before you can start using a laser cutter to make money from home, you need to choose the right one for your business needs. There are several options on the market to take a look at, but here are some factors to consider as you begin your research:
- Type of laser. First and foremost, it’s important to know that there are various types of lasers, such as CO2, fiber, and diode. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and each has certain limitations. For example, a diode laser works well with wood but can only cut certain dark types of acrylic. Be sure to research which one is best for the materials you plan on working with.
- Power and speed. A laser cutter’s power is measured in watts, and speed refers to how quickly it can cut through material. The more powerful the laser, the faster it can cut and the higher the price point it will typically have.
- Size and workspace. These machines can be quite large, so you’ll need to consider how much space you have available for a laser cutter in your home. You’ll also want to make sure the working space of the laser itself is large enough for the size of projects you plan on completing. You’ll also need to make a plan for how to vent the machine properly to avoid any toxic fumes in your home.
- Portability. If you plan on attending trade shows or other events to sell your laser-cut products and personalize items on-site, portability may be a factor to consider in your decision-making process.
- Cost: Last but certainly not least, you’ll want to carefully consider how much you are willing to spend. A laser cutter is an investment, and prices can vary greatly. Decide on your budget and do thorough research before making a purchase.
Unique Laser Cutting Ideas
Once you have your laser selected, the fun begins!
If you’re considering starting a business with a laser cutter, you may be wondering what type of projects you can do. The good news is that the possibilities are endless, as you’ll see from these laser cutter ideas!
There are so many different items you can make with a laser cutter and so many different niches you can market to. While you may enjoy testing out and trying different types of projects initially, you’ll eventually want to narrow your focus down.
Not sure exactly what you want to focus on? Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Home Decor
With an engraving machine, you can easily create signs, wall art, and other home decorations. These items typically sell well and can be kept more generic or personalized, depending on your business strategy. A few ideas include:
- Welcome signs for the front porch or entryway
- Family name signs to hang in the living room or bedroom
- Funny sayings or quotes from popular books or movies
- Sports memorabilia
- Local maps engraved in wood
- Cutting boards engraved with a saying or name
- Photo frames with engraved messages
2. Children’s Items
Kids’ pieces always sell well and can be a lot of fun to make! A laser cutter can help you create:
- Wooden toys, such as puzzles or building blocks
- Personalized name signs for nurseries and bedrooms
- Engraved growth charts
- Customized pencil cases or school supplies like engraved notebooks
- Chore charts or reward boards
- Simple board games such as tik-tack-toe
3. Gifts
Personalized and customized gifts are always popular, especially for special occasions or holidays. With a laser cutter, you can create unique items such as:
- Customized wine glasses or tumblers
- Engraved jewelry and accessories
- Personalized phone cases
- Monogrammed keychains
- Photo albums with engraved covers
- Engraved photo frames
- Ornaments or holiday items
4. Wedding Items
With weddings happening all year round, there’s always a demand for personalized and unique items. These can include:
- Engraved wooden wedding invitations or save-the-date cards
- Customized cake toppers or table numbers
- Personalized wedding favors, such as engraved coasters or key chains
- Acrylic signage or seating charts
- Wedding decor
5. Business Items
Aside from selling products to customers, you can also use a laser cutter to create items for small businesses. Some popular ideas include:
- Customized business cards or name tags for employees
- Engraved promotional items with logos, such as pens or USB drives
- Wooden or acrylic signage for offices or storefronts
- Personalized awards, plaques, medals, and trophies
- Employee appreciation gifts such as engraved watches or custom metal cups
6. Jewelry and Accessories
With the precision of a laser cutter, you can create intricate designs on a wide variety of materials, ranging from leather to wood to acrylic and more! This makes it perfect for jewelry and accessories. Examples of products include:
- Wooden or acrylic earrings, necklaces, and bracelets
- Leather or fabric handbags with customized engravings
- Personalized leather wallets
- Fun keychains
- Trending accessories like acrylic cup toppers
Marketing Your Laser-Cut Products
Once you have your laser cutter and products ready to go, it’s time to start marketing and selling!
You can market online or in person, or opt to do a combination of both! Some popular ways to promote and sell your laser-cut products include:
- Social Media. Platforms like Instagram or Facebook are great for showcasing your products and reaching potential customers. You might even consider testing out Facebook ads to reach your target audience.
- Craft Fairs and Markets. These events are excellent opportunities to showcase your products, make new connections, and gain valuable feedback from customers.
- Online Marketplaces. Sites like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace are popular places for selling handmade items.
- Word of Mouth. Encourage satisfied customers to spread the word about your business and leave positive reviews online.
- Collaborations. Collaborating with other small businesses or influencers can help you expand your reach and introduce your products to new audiences.
- Pop-Up Shops. Consider hosting a pop-up shop event in your local community or partnering with a small business that shares your target audience.
The key is finding the marketing strategies that work best for you and your business. Over time, you can experiment with different approaches and see what brings in the most sales and engagement!
Laser Cutting Business Ideas Wrap-Up
If you are looking for a work at home opportunity that allows you to be creative, a laser cutter can be a valuable tool for any home-based business! With this tool, you can find seemingly endless opportunities to create unique and customized products.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your current creative business, a laser cutter can help you turn your ideas into reality and generate income from the comfort of your own home. With careful research and planning, combined with marketing strategies to promote your products, you can easily make money from home with this versatile machine.
So go ahead and unleash your creativity with a laser machine. Who knows where it may take you!
