How Much Money Can You Actually Make with a Laser Engraver in 2026?

2026-03-31T11:07:09-04:00

One of the first questions everyone asks when they're thinking about buying a laser engraver is: "Can you actually make money with this? How much can you really make?"

The answer isn't a single number – it depends on how much time you put in, what you make, how you price, and where you sell. But based on what we're seeing actual laser owners earning in 2026, we can give you realistic numbers.

Let's break it down.

Realistic Income Ranges in 2026

Side Hustle (5-10 hours per week)

$200 – $800 per month

When you're just starting out and working part-time around your job, this is what you can reasonably expect. Most people start here.

You can do a few small orders per week

Your machine cost ($150-$300) pays for itself in 1-2 months

Extra income for bills, savings, or fun money

Side Hustle (10-20 hours per week)

$800 – $2,000 per month

Once you've got some experience, a few repeat customers, and you've streamlined your process, you can hit this level comfortably. Many people stay here permanently because it's great extra income without the pressure of going full-time.

Full-Time (40+ hours per week)

$3,000 – $8,000 per month

It's absolutely possible to make a full-time living with a laser engraving business in 2026. The key is having multiple streams of income:

Custom orders from Etsy/website

Wholesale to local businesses

Bulk orders for events and promotions

Local craft fairs and markets

Top full-time sellers can make $10,000+ per month during peak seasons like Christmas.

Profit Margins: Where the Money Actually Goes

Laser engraving has excellent profit margins compared to most other small businesses. Let's look at a typical example:

Custom Dog Tag

Blank material cost: $1.50

Time to complete: 10 minutes

Selling price: $12

Profit: $12 - $1.50 = $10.50 profit

Hourly rate at this pace: $63/hour

Yes, you read that right. After material costs, you're making almost all the rest as profit. Your time is the main investment.

Set of 4 Wooden Coasters

Blank material cost: $4

Time to complete: 20 minutes

Selling price: $25

Profit: $21

Hourly rate: $63/hour

Custom Wedding Cake Topper

Blank material cost: $8

Time to complete: 30 minutes

Selling price: $45

Profit: $37

Hourly rate: $74/hour

The pattern is clear: material costs are low, profit margins are high. Most of your revenue becomes profit once you've paid for your machine.

What Affects How Much You Can Make?

1. The Types of Products You Sell

Not all laser projects are equally profitable. Here's how they stack up:

Highest profit per hour:

Bulk business branding orders (coasters, keychains for promotions)

Wedding party gifts and favors

Custom pet memorials

High-end personalized gifts

Lower profit per hour:

Very small, low-priced items (even though margin is high, total dollar profit is small)

Large cutting boards (more material cost, more time)

2. How Much Time You Put In

This is the biggest factor. It's simple – more hours = more revenue. The beauty of laser engraving is that you can scale it as slow or as fast as you want. Start part-time, grow when you're ready.

3. Your Marketing and Visibility

You can have the best products in the world, but if nobody sees them, you won't make any sales. Successful sellers spend about 20-30% of their time on marketing:

Posting process videos on TikTok/Instagram

Keeping your Etsy shop updated with new products

Getting customer reviews and social proof

Networking with local businesses

4. Your Pricing Strategy

This is where most beginners leave money on the table. If you underprice your work, you'll work twice as hard for half the money.

Good rule of thumb:
```
Price = (Material Cost × 3) + (Time × Your Desired Hourly Rate)
```

Don't undervalue your work because you're new. Customers pay for the customization and the quality, and they expect to pay fair prices.

Real Stories from Real Owners

Let's look at some actual examples from people running laser engraving businesses right now:

Sarah – Part-Time Galvo Owner (Tyvok P2)

Sarah started with a $179 10W Tyvok P2 doing custom keychains and pet tags part-time out of her spare bedroom.

Time per week: 8-10 hours

Average monthly income: $950

Profit after materials: ~$750

Machine paid for itself: In her first 3 weeks

What she makes: Mostly small custom items for Etsy orders

She says: "I just do this a few nights a week after my day job. It pays my mortgage extra every month, and I love being able to offer something custom that people really love."

Mike – Full-Time with Multiple Machines

Mike started part-time, now runs his own custom laser business full-time with three machines.

Time per week: 45-50 hours

Average monthly income: $6,500

Profit after expenses: ~$4,200

Mix of business: 40% custom orders, 40% local business branding, 20% craft fairs

He told me: "I left my corporate job two years ago. I make more now than I did there, and I set my own hours. It's not always easy, but I love it."

Jennifer – Wedding Specialty

Jennifer focuses almost exclusively on wedding items – cake toppers, bridesmaid gifts, guest books, favors.

Time per week: 20-25 hours (seasonal)

Average monthly income (off season): $1,800

Average monthly income (wedding season): $4,500

She says: "Wedding customers value customization and they're willing to pay for quality. Once you build up reviews, you get consistent bookings every year."

How Long Does It Take to Start Making Money?

Most people start getting their first sales within the first 2-4 weeks after setting up their shop. It usually takes 3-6 months to build up consistent monthly income.

Timeline typically looks like:

Weeks 1-2: Unboxing, practice, learning your machine

Weeks 3-4: Set up your shop/social media, list your first products

Months 2-3: Get your first reviews, start getting consistent orders

Months 6+: Refine your process, scale up if you want to

You don't need to wait until everything is perfect to start. You can improve as you go.

Can You Really Start with Just a Cheap Entry-Level Machine?

Absolutely. One of the questions we get most is "Do I need to spend $1000+ to make money?" The answer is no.

If you're primarily doing small custom projects (which is where most beginners start), a quality entry-level galvo like the Tyvok P2 10W works perfectly and costs under $200.

Why this works:

Most custom orders are small items (keychains, tags, jewelry, pendants)

65mm work area is plenty for these projects

Galvo is faster than diode for small projects, so you can do more orders per day

Low startup cost means you can be profitable quickly

You don't need a big machine to make good money. Start with what you can afford, pay it off quickly with your first sales, then upgrade when you actually need the extra capacity.

Tips to Maximize Your Income

1. Diversify Your Income Streams

Don't just rely on Etsy. Have multiple ways to make money:

Etsy shop for custom orders

Local businesses for branding/promotional work

Occasional craft fairs

Wholesale to local retail shops

2. Focus on Repeat Customers and Word of Mouth

Give your customers great service and a great product, and they'll come back again and send their friends. This is the cheapest marketing you'll ever get.

3. Keep Your Overhead Low

You don't need to rent a shop when you're starting out. Work from home, keep your expenses low, and more money goes straight to your pocket.

4. Continually Improve Your Skills

The better you get, the faster you work and the better quality you can produce. This means more profit per hour and happier customers.

Is Laser Engraving Still Profitable in 2026?

Yes, absolutely. The market has grown, but demand has grown with it. More people than ever are buying custom personalized products, and there's room for new sellers.

The barriers to entry are lower than they've ever been – you can start for under $200, work from home, and scale at your own pace. The profit margins are excellent, and you can start making money back very quickly.

Ready to Get Started?

If you're ready to start your own laser engraving side hustle, we've put together some helpful guides to get you going:

How to Start a Laser Engraving Business with No Experience in 2026

Best Budget Galvo Laser Engraver in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget

10 Easy Laser Engraving Projects for Beginners That Sell in 2026

Real User Review: Tyvok P2 10W Galvo

The best time to start was yesterday. If you're willing to put in the work, you can absolutely make good money with a laser engraver in 2026.

How much money have you made with your laser engraver? Share your experience in the comments below – it helps other beginners see what's possible!