How to Start a Laser Engraving Business with a Galvo Laser in 2026

2026-03-31T11:22:04-04:00

Galvo lasers have completely changed the game for entry-level laser engraving businesses in 2026. You can now get a quality 10W galvo for under $200, and the speed advantage over traditional diode lasers means you can do more orders per hour and make more money.

If you're thinking about starting a laser engraving business with a galvo, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Step 1: Choose the Right Galvo Laser for Your Budget

The first step is picking the right machine. In 2026, you have lots of great options at every price point:

Under $200: Tyvok P2 10W

Best for most beginners starting out

10W optical power

65mm × 65mm standard work area (upgradeable to 100mm × 100mm)

Free software included

Perfect for small custom projects

Incredible value for the price

This is what we recommend for 90% of beginners starting a galvo business. The price is low enough that you can pay it off with your first week of orders.

Step 2: Understand What Galvos Do Best

Galvo lasers aren't for every project – but they're perfect for the kinds of projects most beginners sell:

✓ Custom pet ID tags
✓ Keychains of all sizes
✓ Jewelry and pendants
✓ Phone case engraving
✓ Leather patches
✓ Coasters (small to medium)
✓ Wedding favor charms
✓ Small wooden signs

All of these are small projects that play directly to the galvo's biggest strength: speed. A galvo can do a custom dog tag in 30-60 seconds where a diode would take 4-8 minutes. That means you can do 4-10x more orders per day with the same amount of time.

If you want to do large cutting boards or big signs, you'll need a diode. But if you're starting with small custom items, galvo is the clear choice in 2026.

Step 3: Calculate Your Startup Costs

One of the best things about starting a galvo business is how low your startup costs are:

| Item | Cost |
|

|
|
| Tyvok P2 10W Galvo | ~$179 |
| Starter material pack | ~$50 |
| Safety glasses | ~$20 |
| Etsy shop listing fees | ~$0.25 per listing |
| Total | ~$250 |

That's it. You don't need a workshop, you don't need expensive tools, you don't need thousands of dollars in inventory. You can start on your kitchen table if you want to.

Step 4: Set Up Your Workspace

You don't need much space for a galvo business:

Space needed: Just 2' × 2' of desk space – that's it

Ventilation: A small fan pointing out a window is enough for starting out

Safety: Always wear your laser safety glasses, keep your workspace ventilated

You can run your entire galvo business from a spare bedroom. No garage required.

Step 5: Practice and Get Comfortable

Before you start taking paid orders, spend some time practicing:

1. Make 10 practice projects with different materials
2. Write down your settings – keep a notebook of what speed/power works for each material
3. Get comfortable with your software – learn how to import designs and set up jobs
4. Fix your mistakes – learn what goes wrong and how to avoid it next time

You don't need to be perfect before you start selling, but you do need to be able to consistently deliver good quality. Most people get there after 10-20 practice projects.

Step 6: Choose Your Products

You don't need to offer everything. Start with 5-10 core products that play to your galvo's strengths:

Best products for galvo businesses:
1. Custom pet ID tags – high demand, great profit
2. Keychains (custom and promotional) – constant demand
3. Wedding cake toppers – good margins, seasonal demand
4. Jewelry and pendants – high profit per item
5. Leather patches – popular with bulk orders
6. Coasters – great for gifts and weddings

All of these fit perfectly in a 65mm galvo work area, so you don't need a bigger machine.

Step 7: Price Your Products for Profit

This is where most beginners go wrong – they underprice their work. Use this simple formula:

```
Price = (Material Cost × 3) + (Time × $20/hour)
```

Example – Custom Dog Tag:

Material cost: $1.50 × 3 = $4.50

Time: 10 minutes = $3.33

Total price: $8-10

That gives you good profit, pays you fairly for your time, and it's what the market will actually bear. Don't underprice your work because you're new – you deserve to be paid fairly.

Step 8: Set Up Your Sales Channels

Where should you sell when you're starting out?

1. Etsy

Best for most beginners starting out. Built-in audience looking for custom products, easy to set up.

2. Instagram/TikTok

Showcase your process and finished products. Great for building an audience and driving traffic to your Etsy shop. Process videos do really well.

3. Facebook Marketplace/Local Groups

Good for local sales and bulk orders from local businesses. No fees.

Start with Etsy + Instagram/TikTok – that's the easiest combination for most beginners. You can add more channels later.

Step 9: Market Your Business

You don't need a big marketing budget to get customers:

1. Post process videos on TikTok/Instagram – showing the laser engraving something gets lots of views
2. Ask your first customers for reviews – social proof is everything when you're starting out
3. Tell friends and family – word of mouth is powerful, your first customers are often people you know
4. Post consistently – a couple posts a week is better than 10 posts in one day then nothing for a month
5. Use good photos – good photos sell products. Take clear well-lit photos of your work.

How Much Money Can You Make?

It depends on how much time you put in, but here's what's realistic in 2026:

Part-time (5-10 hours/week)

$300-$1000 per month profit
Great extra income, pays for your machine quickly.

Part-time (10-20 hours/week)

$1000-$2500 per month profit
Good extra income that can cover most people's car payment or mortgage extra.

Full-time (40+ hours/week)

$3000-$6000 per month profit
Absolutely possible to make a full-time living with a galvo business. You just need to consistently market and grow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying too much machine too soon – Start with an entry-level galvo, prove you can make sales, then upgrade when you need to.
2. Carrying too much inventory – Start with a small variety of blanks, reorder when you need more. Don't tie up all your cash in inventory.
3. Underpricing your work – Price for profit from day one. It's harder to raise prices later than it is to start at the right price.
4. Giving up too soon – It takes a few months to build momentum. Most successful sellers didn't get a flood of orders in their first month. Stick with it.

Final Thoughts

Starting a laser engraving business with a galvo laser is one of the most accessible side hustles you can start in 2026. Startup costs are incredibly low, you can start part-time from home, and demand for custom engraved products keeps growing every year.

With an entry-level 10W galvo like the Tyvok P2 now under $200, there's never been a better time to start. You can be set up and making your first sales in your first week.

If you've been thinking about starting, just go for it. Start small, learn as you go, and you can build something really great.

Ready to Get Started?

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