r/Laserengraving

sorry if this is a common question, i tried looking and didnt see anything stickied or any wiki/FAQ. im making a bunch of wedding invitations by engraving metal business card blanks for a friend. i dont really sell things as i just make stuff for fun but this friend wants to make it a marketable service and i have no idea what i would even charge for things like this. i spend a lot of time tweaking the designs and testing engraving results before actually making anything in any real quantity so its less about the cost of materials and more of what is my time worth but im not really sure how to answer that. how do you decide pricing?

I’m starting a small packaging business and planning to engrave kraft paper belly bands (the wrap around boxes with text + QR code).

Material is thin kraft paper (not thick cardboard), and I’m aiming for clean, light engraving so no cutting or deep burns.

I’m deciding between 3W, 5W, and 10W diode lasers (not going CO2), and budget is definitely a factor.

Main concerns:

Avoiding burn marks / charring

Clean text and sharp QR codes

Reasonable speed for small batch production

Overall value for money

I know even low watt lasers can engrave paper, but I’m worried lower power might mean slower speeds → more heat → worse results.

Would 3W or 5W be enough, or is 10W worth the extra cost for cleaner results and efficiency?

Would really appreciate any real-world experience, especially if you’ve worked with kraft paper specifically. Thanks 🙏

I’ve been asking my boss for at least 2 years if we can get a laser engraver for work to make custom signs for events and around our campuses, make custom personalized items for employees, welcome gifts, etc. I ended up buying my own hobby laser and making things for work so the lightbulb would go off that it is something we can use/need.

Here is what I’m lookin for:

- Best quality for the money. I’ve got $5,000 max: any more it becomes a CapEx project and a harder to push through for approval.

- Machine won’t be used day in and day out, only when something comes up or is needed.

- Materials to be worked with: engrave wood, fabric, cardboard, acrylic, stainless steel and regular steel, anodized aluminum and more. Cut all materials listed above if possible, understand that metals may require different materials to cut and is not a priority for cutting.

- Workspace- something with a large bed to make signs over 24” at least.

- Software- ideally something that can be connected to lightburn since I use it for my hobby laser but willing to learn other softwares if needed.

-I’m only familiar with my 10W diode and not educated in the differences between CO2, Fiber and IR lasers.

- Has to be new. I’ve asked about buying used and it’s harder to get approval.

- Electrical- can be 120vac or 240vac.

Currently found Omtech fits within the parameters listed above but looking for any and all suggestions.

I’ve only got a few days to find something so any points in the right direction would be appreciated!!

Hello Everyone, I am looking to purchase an entry (ish) level fibre laser machine with a decent working area ideally 200×300 (i understand that is quite large and possibly too large for my budget). up to around £1500. Wanting to engrave laptops, golf clubs, waterbottles etc. Thank you in advance for any help. ❤️‍🔥

Hi! Not sure if this is the right sub, but I am desperate. The fiber laser cable got damaged on a 30W JPT MOPA Laser machine and I urgently need a replacement. I am based in Nairobi Kenya and there are no locally-based shops that have this part. Additionally, I have tried searching alibaba but can't seem to find the specific cable either - Any suggestions?

search keywords: QBH fiber laser cable 20um 30W MOPA 1064nm 5m JPT

Do you take the groves into account when resurfacing the club, or are you just hitting every spot on the club face?

Hi everyone,

The result looks like a very clean portrait made entirely from dots (halftone style), with:

• consistent spacing between dots
• varying dot size to create shading
• very high detail, almost photographic from a distance

So I’m trying to figure out the actual workflow.

My questions:

1. What is this technique actually called? Is it true halftone, stippling, or something else?
2. Is this generated as a raster image (grayscale → laser) or as a vector with dots?
3. Can this be done entirely inside LightBurn or do I need external software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)?
4. What kind of preprocessing is needed to get that level of detail?
5. Any tips specifically for engraving on painted MDF with a CO2 laser?

If anyone has experience with this or can point me in the right direction, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/ig6tk32f9zwg1.png?width=834&format=png&auto=webp&s=4d980223ae4e416eaea35a5d741bbe1d1f4d7605

We are looking to buy a laser that can do .3mm letter engraving into grade 5 titanium firearm suppressors. Also may use for cerakoting, but that's another question for another day.

Prices seem to be all over the place, there's so many options, what would you recommend as a good entry at that level?