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2026-03-31T19:16:14-04:00

Can You Really Make Money With a Laser Engraver in 2026? A Realistic Look at Starting a Side Hustle

"I keep seeing all these videos online saying you can make $1,000+ a month with a laser engraver. Is that still true in 2026? Or is the market saturated? Can a complete beginner still get started?"

If you're asking yourself these questions, you're not alone. This is the #1 question I get from people thinking about getting into laser engraving. Everyone wants to know: can this actually make me money, or is it just another hype that's already over?

I've been laser engraving for three years, and I know dozens of people who are making money with it right now – from extra beer money each month to full-time incomes. But let me be straight from the start: this isn't a "get rich quick" scheme. Let's look at the real numbers, the real opportunities, and who this actually makes sense for in 2026.

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The Short Answer: Yes, But It's Not "Get Rich Quick"

Let me cut through the hype:

✅ You absolutely can make money with a laser engraver in 2026 ❌ But it's not going to make you rich next month

Here's the realistic range I see from actual people doing this:

Hobby / Casual (2-5 hours/week): $100–$500/month extra

Side Hustle (10-20 hours/week): $500–$2,000/month

Full-Time (40+ hours/week): $2,000–$5,000/month

These aren't hypothetical numbers – these are what I see actual people earning. Some people make more, some make less. The key is that it's consistent extra income for most people who stick with it.

Take Sarah, for example – I mentioned her in my galvo vs diode comparison. She started with a $200 Tyvok P2 galvo on her kitchen table, selling custom pet tags and engraved jewelry on Etsy. Today, six months later, she's consistently making $2,000+ per month working 20-25 hours a week.

Mike, another engraver I know, does custom cutting boards and wedding signs on the weekends. He makes an extra $800–$1,000 per month without quitting his day job.

The good news? Profit margins are actually really good. Most people I talk to are making 50–70% profit after material costs. That's way better than a lot of other side hustles.

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How Much Does It Cost To Start? The Surprising Truth In 2026

The biggest change in 2026 is how cheap it is to get started. Just a few years ago, you needed $600–$1,000 just for the machine. Today, you can get a quality 10W galvo like the Tyvok P2 for under $200.

Here's what your real total startup costs look like:

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | 10W Galvo Laser Engraver (Tyvok P2) | Under $200 | | Initial Materials Package (blanks, masks, etc.) | $50–$100 | | Basic Tools (masking tape, air assist, etc.) | ~$50 | | Total Startup Cost | ~$300–$400 |

That's it. That's all you need to start. No thousands of dollars required. No big business loan. If it doesn't work out for you, you haven't invested your life savings – you've lost the cost of a cheap laptop.

This low barrier to entry is what makes laser engraving such an accessible side hustle in 2026.

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The Best Product Ideas To Make Money In 2026 (That Actually Sell)

Not all products are created equal. Some are way easier to sell and more profitable than others, especially when you're starting out. Based on what I see selling well right now, here are my top recommendations:

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1. Custom Pet Tags & Keychains (Best for Beginners)

Price: $10–$25 each

Material Cost: $1–$3 each

Profit Margin: ~80%

Why it's great for beginners:

Always consistent demand (people get new pets every day)

Small size fits perfectly in a galvo's work area

Fast engraving (1–2 minutes per tag with galvo)

Easy to ship, low shipping costs

Super popular on Etsy and Instagram

This is the #1 starting point for most beginners – and it keeps making money for people who scale it. Sarah I mentioned earlier built her entire business on pet tags.

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2. Personalized Jewelry & Pendants

Price: $20–$50+ each

Material Cost: $3–$8 each

Profit Margin: ~75-80%

Works great with wood, metal, acrylic, even leather

People love personalized jewelry with names, dates, coordinates. It's a perennial best seller for gifts.

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3. Custom Leather Goods

Price: $15 (patches) up to $80+ (wallets)

Material Cost: $4–$20

Profit Margin: ~70%

Great niche: brand logos, biker patches, groomsmen gifts

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4. Wedding Gifts & Favors

Price: $2–$10 per favor (bulk) up to $50+ for guest books/guest signs

Good margins, and people usually order in bulk

Seasonal business (wedding season is spring/summer) but can be very steady

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5. Personalized Phone Cases

Price: $15–$30

Consistent demand, always new designs people want

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6. Cutting Boards & Kitchen Gifts

Price: $40–$100+

Requires larger work area (diode laser, not galvo)

Great profit margins, very popular as gifts

The key insight for beginners: start small. Small products mean lower material costs per item, faster production with galvo speed, and you don't need a huge workspace. Most beginners should start with pet tags and keychains – they're the easiest way to get your first sale and start building momentum.

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Is It Too Saturated In 2026? Can A New Person Still Compete?

This is the second most common question: "There are already so many people doing laser engraving. Is it too late to start?"

Here's my honest take: The market is more competitive than it was 5 years ago, but there's still plenty of room for new people.

Why?

1. Demand is still growing: Personalized custom products are more popular than ever, especially with social media. Every day there are new people looking for custom engraved gifts.

2. You don't need millions of customers: You only need a handful of orders per week to make $500–$1,000 extra per month. Even in a "saturated" market, there's room for another good engraver in your niche or your local area.

3. Niche down to stand out: Instead of "I do all kinds of engraving," pick something specific:

"I do custom pet memorial jewelry"

"I engrave wedding favors for Minnesota brides"

"I make personalized leather patches for motorcycle clubs"

When you niche down, you're not competing with everyone – you're the go-to person for that specific thing.

4. Local business is wide open: A lot of laser engravers only sell online. You can go after local businesses: custom signage, employee gifts, promotional items for local companies. There's less competition here.

The truth is, saturation is only a problem for people who try to sell generic stuff to everyone. If you find a small niche and do good work, you can absolutely build a profitable side hustle in 2026.

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My Step-by-Step Plan For Beginners To Start Making Money

If you want to actually do this, here's the exact process I recommend for beginners:

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Step 1: Get your machine and materials (1-2 weeks)

Start with a compact galvo like the Tyvok P2 (under $200) if you're doing small items

Order an initial pack of blanks in your main product category (pet tags, blanks, etc.)

Total investment should be under $400

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Step 2: Practice and make samples (1 week)

Practice engraving on scrap material until you get consistent results

Make 5-10 good samples of your main product

Take good photos (natural light works fine for starters)

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Step 3: Set up your selling platform (1-2 days)

Most beginners start with Etsy – it's already set up for custom products

If you want to build long-term, add a Shopify store (what I recommend long-term)

Use Instagram/TikTok to show your process – people love watching engraving videos

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Step 4: Get your first sales (start with your network)

Tell your friends and family what you're doing

Offer discounted or even free engraving in exchange for a review and a social media share

Get your first 5-10 reviews – social proof is everything

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Step 5: Scale gradually

Once you're getting consistent orders, add new products

As you make money, reinvest some back into more materials or maybe a second machine

Don't quit your day job until you're consistently making more than your day job income

Realistic Timeline:

Months 1: Learning, getting your first 5-10 orders

Months 3-6: Consistent 5-10 orders per week

Month 6+: If you want to scale, you can grow from there

Most people can get to $500+ per month within 3-6 months working part-time.

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Who Is This Actually For? Who Should NOT Start?

Laser engraving isn't for everyone. Be honest with yourself – let's see if it fits you:

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You SHOULD start a laser engraving side hustle if:

You want extra income working part-time from home

You're okay with learning a new skill (it's not hard, but there is a learning curve)

You enjoy making physical things with your hands

You're comfortable interacting with customers (you have to answer questions, process orders)

You have a few hundred dollars to invest and you're okay with the small risk

You have a small corner of a table or desk where you can put the machine (you don't need a whole workshop)

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You probably SHOULD NOT start if:

You think this is going to make you rich next month without any work

You hate dealing with customers and don't want to interact with people

You don't have any creativity or don't like making things

You need a completely passive income stream (this is active – you have to make the products)

You can't afford to lose your startup investment (though it's only $300-$400, it's still a risk)

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The Bottom Line: Is Laser Engraving Still Worth It In 2026?

Let me wrap this up simply:

If you're willing to put in the work, you can absolutely make money with a laser engraver in 2026. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it's a solid side hustle with good profit margins, and startup costs are lower than they've ever been.

The game has changed because of machines like the
Tyvok P2 – you can start with under $200 for a quality galvo laser. That means your risk is tiny. If it works out great, you can scale. If it doesn't work out, you haven't lost much.
If you're still on the fence about whether galvo is right for you, check out my full comparison to traditional diode lasers: Galvo vs Diode Laser Engraver: Which is Actually Better for Beginners in 2026?

If you're ready to get started and want to check the latest price on the most affordable entry-level galvo: Check current pricing for the Tyvok P2 →

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Published: March 20, 2026