How do I start a laser engraving business on Shopify?
Laser engraving has the highest margins in personalization. 60-80% after equipment amortization. Setup: (1) buy a laser engraver (diode $500-$2k for light work; CO2 $3-$15k for production), (2) set up workspace with ventilation + fire safety, (3) install Print It My Way Pro ($13.99/mo), (4) add engraving products with material swatches, (5) launch on multiple channels (Etsy, Shopify, Facebook Marketplace, local). Equipment pays back in 2-6 months at typical volumes.
Step-by-step setup
- Choose laser engraver. Diode $500-$2k (light work). CO2 $3-15k (production).
- Set up workspace + safety. Ventilation, fire safety, PPE.
- Install Shopify + Print It My Way. Pro tier for file upload.
- Add engraving products with material choice. Wood, metal, acrylic, leather.
- Launch on Facebook Marketplace + local + Shopify. Multi-channel approach.
Laser engraver options
| Type | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Diode laser (5-10W) | $500-$2,000 | Wood, leather, some metal marking |
| Diode laser (20-40W) | $1,500-$4,000 | Faster wood + leather production |
| CO2 laser (40-100W) | $3,000-$15,000 | Full production: wood, acrylic, leather, glass, some metal |
| Fiber laser | $3,000-$20,000 | Metal engraving specialist |
Best laser engraving products
- Wooden cutting boards: engraved family monograms ($35-$85)
- Yeti-style tumblers: laser-engraved ($30-$60)
- Leather wallets + keychains: engraved ($20-$85)
- Acrylic signs + name signs: laser-cut + engraved ($25-$95)
- Wood ornaments: Christmas ($15-$25)
- Wooden watches: engraved backs ($40-$120)
- Custom whiskey glasses: engraved ($20-$45)
Laser engraving fields
- Text engraving (character limit varies by product size)
- Font picker (10+ laser-appropriate fonts)
- Material swatches (wood species, metal finish)
- File upload for custom designs (SVG, DXF, AI)
- Placement dropdown (front, back, side, bottom)
Pricing structure
- Base at product cost + margin
- Free basic engraving (first 10 chars)
- Character 11-25: $0.50 each
- Custom uploaded design: $15-$25 setup
- Rush delivery: +$15-$25
Launch laser engraving
Print It My Way Pro at $13.99/mo covers file upload + conditional logic.
Install Print It My Way. Free Custom engraving business guide →Frequently asked questions
What laser engraver should I start with?
Diode 20-40W ($1,500-$4k) for entry. Upgrade to CO2 when volume justifies.
What's the margin on laser engraving?
60-80% after equipment amortization. Higher on custom vs mass-produced designs.
Can I engrave metal with a diode laser?
Only marking, not deep engraving. For real metal engraving, use fiber laser.
Should I sell on Etsy too?
Yes for discovery. Move repeat customers to Shopify for higher margin.
How long to pay back equipment?
2-6 months at typical volumes. Depends on niche + marketing.
Sources & further reading
Primary sources referenced in this article. We link to official platform documentation and standards bodies rather than secondary summaries so you can verify claims directly.