Want to make some extra cash?
Let's talk about a laser side hustle.
Schedule a No-Pressure Consultation Online
Too soon? Drop your email and a sales representative will reach out 🙂
Why a Laser Engraving Machine?
Besides the fact that you can put laser beams on a shark’s head and it’s frickin’ awesome?
Well, many every day products are actually laser engraved or laser cut.
I’d bet if you look around your house you could find something that is either laser-engraved or laser cut. Ever seen one of those wood cutting boards with an etching in it? Probably laser engraved.
The global personalized gifts market was valued at around $26.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $43.3 billion by 2027!
You can engrave and cut a variety of materials including wood, leather, acrylic, fabric, glass, paper, and many plastics. You can even leave behind a permanent mark on metal objects (think Yeti tumblers).
How much money can I make with a laser side hustle?
That really depends on you!
This is not a get-rich-quick scheme.
But it IS a realistic side-hustle that you can start relatively easy, selling products either online or in your local market.
There are many, many people that have started using these machines as a side hustle that eventually grew enough to where they could quit their full time job.
Check out these case studies from Simply Sallie and Sam Annable:
What can I make with it?
The opportunities are endless, but think custom hats, cups, signs, and decor. Door hanger signs, wedding stationary, invitations, hat patches, custom backpacks, etc.
Here are some ideas to get your mind going:
Are these machines hard to use?
You can learn to use a laser in an afternoon. Sure, there are advanced features and techniques but your basic engraving and cutting can be learned very quickly. We have lots of training videos in our Academy to help get you going.
Here is a quick video of Clay showing you how easy it is to engrave a smiley face.
What if I am not a designer or "crafty" type of person?
No problem! There are many resources for free files or files for purchase on the internet. You don’t need any graphics software experience.
Here are some resources where you can find free or low-cost engravable files:
https://www.etsy.com/market/laser_cut_files
We also include a bunch of free project files when you purchase a laser from us!
What things do I need to consider when purchasing a laser engraving machine?
1. Likely the most important thing to consider is Build Quality. Don’t wind up with a crappy machine. As you start to shop around, you’ll start to see a LOT of different specs thrown around. One spec you won’t see is “build quality.” Because, truthfully, how do you put that on a spec sheet.
How does build quality affect your working environment? A well-built machine will create better engravings, faster cuts, have less down time, and be easier to maintain.
2. Have you ever purchased something and then need help later and it seems like the company is non-existent? Don’t let that happen to you with a laser. When you purchase a laser, you are essentially “partnering” with that company. After all, you are relying on their equipment for your business to be profitable.
Be sure to join Facebook groups with real users and check reviews online. This is a big purchase! And not all customer support is created equal, let’s just say that.
You have three series of machines listed: Nova, Bolt, and Aurora. Which one do I need?
The best way to determine this is to schedule some time with one of our experts. We can talk about what type of projects you want to make, take a look at budget and space requirements, etc to help you choose a machine. However, in the meantime, here is a quick video detailing the differences in our machine lines: