Pricing your laser engraving services isn't merely a matter of recouping your expenses—it's a process of establishing a viable, profitable business that takes into consideration your abilities, equipment, and the value you're providing to clients. Regardless of whether you're personalizing presents, making signs, or producing decor, a good pricing plan allows you to not undercharge and to present yourself as a professional business.

Here in this guide, we'll go through all you need to know to price your laser engraving jobs for profit—from costing breakdowns to pricing models, profitability metrics, and handy tools. It is even more efficient if you are using high-performance machines such as TOOCAA laser engravers with their speed, longevity, and adaptability.

1. Know Your True Costs

Before you can set any prices, you have to know precisely how much each project costs you to create. Following are some typical categories of costs:

Material Costs

This is the cost of the actual material you are engraving or cutting—wood, acrylic, slate, leather, metal, glass, and more. Don't forget to include waste material, failed test runs, and shipping for materials.

Labor Costs

Time is money. Consider the total time spent on:

Designing the file Machine setup Engraving or cutting Cleaning and finishing

Packaging and communication

Estimate your hourly rate (even if you're a solo operator) and factor it in. If a job takes 2 hours and you value your time at $30/hour, that's $60 in labor.

Overhead Costs

Include all recurring costs that support your work: Electricity

Software licenses (like LightBurn) Studio/workshop rent (if applicable) Equipment maintenance and upgrades

Break-Even Point

This tells you how many products or hours of service you have to sell before your costs are returned and profit begins. It is also important for long-range planning and cash flow anticipation.

ROI (Return on Investment) Learn how quickly your investment in materials, equipment, and advertising is repaid.

TOOCAA machines provide quick ROI to novice and seasoned professionals equally, with user-friendly options, speedy processing, and minimal maintenance needed.

4. Consider Strategic Pricing Factors

Several additional variables will influence your final prices:

Market Research

Who are your customers? Etsy buyers looking for gifts, small business owners needing signage, or local artisans? Understand their needs and what they’re willing to pay.

Competitor Analysis

Study what other engravers charge for similar items. Look for gaps in the market (e.g., faster turnaround, better quality, more personalization).

Design Complexity

The more detailed the artwork, the longer it takes to prepare and engrave. Charge accordingly—don’t treat a custom portrait like a text-only sign.

Volume Discounts

For large orders, offer discounts per unit to incentivize clients. Be sure the total order still meets your desired margin.

Rush Orders & Setup Fees

For urgent projects, apply a rush fee (e.g., +20%). If a job requires a custom jig, unusual material, or one-time setup, include a setup fee in your quote.

Minimum Charges

For very small jobs, set a minimum fee to make it worth your time (e.g., no job under $15).

5. Use Practical Tools to Simplify Your Process

Professional tools don’t just save time—they make your business look more credible.

Quote Templates

Have a branded, clear template for customer quotes. Include material, size, turnaround, price, and terms.

Price Calculator

Build an Excel sheet or use an online calculator to estimate prices based on material, time, and complexity.

Invoice Templates

Always send professional invoices—even for small jobs. It’s essential for tracking income and building trust.

Printable Price Sheets

Create a simple sheet listing your most popular items and prices. Use it at events, in your workshop, or on your website.

 □ TOOCAA Tip: Many TOOCAA users create custom price matrices based on size, material, and engraving depth. This speeds up quoting and ensures consistent pricing—even when demand rises.

6. Avoid These Common Pricing Mistakes

Even skilled engravers fall into traps that hurt their profits:

Undercharging due to self-doubt

Don’t undervalue your work—it teaches customers to do the same.

Forgetting preparation time

Designing, testing, and finishing all count as billable hours.

Ignoring changes in costs

If materials or electricity go up, adjust your prices accordingly.

Not reviewing prices regularly

Reassess pricing every 6–12 months based on demand, market shifts, and equipment performance.

7. Sample Pricing Scenarios

Let’s break down three example jobs:

1. Personalized Keychain

Material: $1 Time: 10 mins Total cost: $6

Final price: $12 (Flat rate)

2. Slate House Sign (Custom Design)

Material: $5

Labor: 1 hour ($30/hour)