What should I charge?
How to price laser engraving without forgetting setup time
Separate design, setup, material, machine time and handling when pricing a single engraved item or a repeat batch.
The short answer
Charge for the job, not only the minutes the laser runs. Artwork preparation, approved proofs, setup, handling and replacement risk can matter more than machine time on a small order.
$30 setup + $6 per item, then 30% markup
| Items | Total cost | Batch price | Each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $36.00 | $46.80 | $46.80 |
| 5 | $60.00 | $78.00 | $15.60 |
| 10 | $90.00 | $117.00 | $11.70 |
Example only. Excludes any costs not included in these assumptions, such as shipping, selling fees and taxes. Your setup may change with quantity.
Separate one-time work from per-item work
List artwork cleanup, the customer proof and fixture setup separately from material, engraving, cleaning and packing for each item. A fixture is a holder that keeps repeated items positioned consistently.
Record what the customer supplied and what you must create. A ready-to-use approved file is different from redrawing a low-resolution image. Set a clear limit on included revisions.
An illustrative batch calculation
Imagine a ten-item batch with $30 of design and setup work. Each item uses a $3 blank, $2 of machine allocation and $1 of handling and packaging. The batch costs $30 + (10 × $6) = $90.
Adding 30% markup gives $117, or $11.70 per item, before any omitted shipping, selling fees and taxes. This is arithmetic, not a market rate. At one item, the same assumptions give $36 cost and $46.80 with markup: setup has not disappeared.
Budget for a representative test
Use a spare sample of the same approved material and finish, rather than experimenting on the customer's finished item. An unrelated offcut may not predict the result. LightBurn provides a material-test grid for comparing settings; a successful sample does not guarantee every piece will behave identically.
Confirm material suitability and the machine manufacturer's safety requirements before testing. Do not process unknown coatings or materials. Do not leave the laser running unattended. This pricing guide is not an operating procedure.
Agree on the scope before starting
Document placement, size, quantity, artwork approval and the policy for customer-supplied items. A sentimental object may not be replaceable even if its purchase price is low; decline work you cannot responsibly handle.
Record actual setup and handling time after the order. Use those observations to revise your next estimate instead of copying another shop's per-minute rate.
Make the comparison
Make the quote clear before the laser runs
| Part of the job | Agree with the customer | Include in the estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork | Approved file, size and placement | Preparation time and included revisions |
| Materials | Who supplies blanks and a suitable sample | Blank cost and a realistic test allowance |
| Repeat order | Which setup steps can genuinely be reused | Fresh handling, checks and any changed artwork |
A batch can spread setup cost. It does not make material, handling or quality checks disappear.
A guided conversation
Talk it through
Use these prompts with a friend, a customer or your workshop group. Open each one for a place to start—nothing is posted or collected here.
What is one-time setup versus repeat work?
Put artwork preparation and first setup in one column. Put each blank, handling and packing in another. Do not remove all setup from a repeat order if checks and positioning still take time.
Who supplies the test sample?
Confirm who provides a spare of the same approved material and finish. Agree on the test before accepting a valuable or irreplaceable customer item.
What happens if the customer changes the artwork after approval?
Record the approved version and the number of revisions included. Agree on the extra time and revised delivery date before changing the artwork.
Put the idea to work
Estimate a laser jobSources & editorial notes
References checked October 19, 2026. The examples and decision prompts are written for WoodWorkCalc; they are not field-test records or evidence of current market demand. Check current seller terms, prices and compatibility before buying. These guides contain no affiliate links.