3 Best Laser Cutters For Small Businesses

Looking to grow your handmade crafts into a thriving side business or take your small workshop to the next level? We've researched the best laser cutters for small businesses and side hustles, perfect for scaling up production while saving time and money.

Overall, I recommend the xTool D1 Pro as the best laser cutter for small businesses as it’s got a great mix of size, and good 10W power for under $1000.

However, I have made other recommendations for if you want to engrave metal or want a portable laser for tradeshows, as well as if you want a CO2 laser for small businesses, further in this article.

1. xTool D1 Pro 10W - Best Laser Cutter For Small Businesses Under $1000

Best price available at: xTool store here

Power: 10W
Working area: 432 x 406 mm
Optional upgrades: RA2 rotary, extension kit, enclosure, air assist

The versatile xTool D1 Pro 10W diode laser cutter packs professional-grade performance into an affordable sub-$1000 package, making it the top budget laser cutter option for small businesses.

With the power to reliably cut 5mm materials like wood and acrylic, it takes on the jobs you need for craft fairs, custom orders, and standard projects like coasters, signs, and more.

The generous 430 x 390mm work area handles multiple pieces in batches, while optional expansions double the space for high-volume runs. Quick yet precise cutting suits short-run custom work or engraving names and logos at events.

Exceptional engineering provides commercial-level speed, accuracy and reliability that outshines competitors, so your business always delivers. Whether you're a one-person shop or growing startup, the xTool D1 Pro 10W gives your enterprise powerful, reliable laser cutting on a budget.

Or upgrade to the 20W version, or even the 40W laser head add-on if you need more power.

The rotary attachment means you can laser on cylindrical objects that sell well at trade shows, like beakers, tumblers, mugs, and others. And other accessories, such as the enclosure, air assist, and others keep you safe while boosting your laser’s performance.

Overall, it’s a great diode laser cutter for small businesses.

2. xTool F1 - Best Laser Cutter For Trade Shows and Craft Show Businesses and Side Hustles

Best price available at: xTool store here

Power: 10W diode laser, 2W IR laser
Working area: 115 x 115 mm
Optional upgrades: rotary, slide extension for longer parts, air purifier

The xTool F1 is the best portable laser engraver, and it’s packed with professional-grade features. Weighing under 5kg, its sleek design and built-in handle make the F1 easy to transport to trade shows, craft fairs, or anywhere you need on-demand custom engraving.

Despite its compact size, the F1 boasts dual laser modules – a 10W diode laser for materials like wood and acrylic, plus a 2W infrared laser for metals.

It delivers lightning-fast 4000mm/s engraving speeds and intricate details down to 0.3mm, ideal for fast laser engraving on command at craft shows.

It’s best suited to engraving slate and other coasters such as wood, as well as intricate metal engravings. It can cut through 5mm acrylic and wood if need be, and you can also use the IR laser for engraving custom metal jewelry projects, such as peoples’ names at a trade show, or for other custom trinkets and mini signs.

The 115 x 115mm work area is small, but you can’t expect any more for such a portable laser. It still handles small custom jobs with ease, and expands up to 400 x 115mm with the optional slide extension accessory.

Safety features like enclosed housing, flame sensor, and emergency stop button allow comfortable use indoors.

With its versatility, speed, and portable convenience, the feature-rich xTool F1 is ideal for businesses, crafters, and makers looking to take their laser engraving on the go.

3. xTool P2 - Best CO2 Laser Cutter For Small Businesses

Best price available at: xTool store here

Power: 55W
Working area: 600 x 308 mm
Optional upgrades: rotary, automatic conveyor feeder, riser base

The xTool P2 55W CO2 laser is the best CO2 laser cutter for starting a small business with, and it has far better features overall than the Glowforge Pro, Gweike Cloud, or the OMTech Polar.

This powerful workhorse cuts 20mm material in one pass, handling jobs too thick and intricate for diode lasers.

A generous 23.6" x 12.1" work area allows batch production of multiple items, maximizing each cutting session. And if you have the riser base and automatic conveyor feeder accessories, you can feed up to 118 inches of material through. This is ideal for automating small production runs for business contracts.

Dual cameras and optimized software simplify precise positioning and speed up repetitive tasks. It also gives you access to the curved surface engraving features, which let you engrave on ukeleles, bowls, spoons, and more.

Attachments like the rotary engraver are essential for selling custom tumblers, mugs and other cylindrical projects online.

Safety features give confidence for in-home use. Whether you're selling customized home decor, engraved gifts, or acrylic signs, the xTool P2 production-ready laser provides all the strength, reliability, tools and workspace needed to turn your passion into a thriving business at just over $4000.

How To Pick The Best Laser Cutter For You

A laser cutter for small business use should enable efficient higher-volume production runs to maximize profitability. When selecting, prioritize adequate power, work area size, attachment options, and specialty software features to scale up throughput. Reliability, precise repeatable results, effective fume mitigation, and onboard cameras for easy material positioning optimize workflow.

Keep scalability in mind, as growth may require increased cutting speed, thicker material capabilities, and larger workbeds.

Price

When investing in a laser cutter to start or grow your small business, price is a pivotal factor as it determines available features, production capabilities, and potential return on investment.

Entry-level lasers under $500 provide an accessible starting point but offer very limited uses like paper and cardstock. The $500-$1500 range enables engraving materials like wood and leather but with smaller work areas and slower speeds that may bottleneck production. Stepping up to $1500-$3000 opens up acrylic cutting, faster throughput for batches, and more robust construction.

Above $3000, lasers can handle metals, glass etching, high-volume runs, and thick materials using beefier laser tubes and work envelopes. However, investing too much in an industrial-grade machine could strain cash flow for a newer business without established revenue.

Consider your target materials and projected monthly production volume so you can match laser capabilities to your needs without overspending. Setting realistic expectations at each price point allows you to maximize value and minimize risk when purchasing a laser cutter.

Consider what projects you want to make, and what materials you need to cut

The specific materials you need to cut and the types of products you want to make should directly guide your laser cutter purchase for a small business.

Will you primarily cut soft materials like basswood, leather, and fabric, or also need to engrave metals and mark glass?

Simple paper and cardstock products only need a cheap laser engraver, while deeper engraving in materials like wood, acrylic, and anodized metal demand a more powerful CO2 laser.

If you want to offer custom curved engravings on bottles, mugs, and glasses, ensure the laser is compatible with a rotary attachment. Larger products like signs, furniture components, or high volumes of smaller items require ample work area capacity. Detailed pieces like logos and jewelry need top-notch precision.

Considering your business’ goals for laser-cut products ensures you select adequate wattage, work envelope, accessories, and features to efficiently produce your specific offerings. Investing in mismatched laser capabilities without analyzing your ideal projects and materials first could lead to limited products, slow production, and subpar results. Match your planned projects to laser features for satisfying outcomes.

Power

Selecting a laser cutter with adequate power for your products is crucial when starting a business, as underpowered lasers struggle with some materials while overpowered options cost more upfront – and you don’t want to waste your money on something you don’t need.

Lower power lasers like diode lasers under 10W can only reliably engrave soft materials up to 5mm thick—attempting to cut thicker acrylics or woods results in scorching and unevenness. But stepping up to a 40-60W CO2 laser allows you to efficiently cut 10-15mm wood, mark metal for jewelry or signs, and etch glassware.

To cleanly cut thicker materials like 12mm+ acrylic or wood, you would need 60-100W. While 150W+ industrial lasers can slice metal, that immense power is overkill for most small shops.

Consider the thickness and density of your target materials, plus anticipated production volumes, to determine the right power needs without overspending. Insufficient power limits product offerings and quality. Excessive power inflates costs. Carefully analyze your goals to buy a perfectly powered laser.

Size

Selecting a laser cutter with a large enough work area size is key when starting a business, as too small of an engraving bed significantly limits the products you can create. Compact hobbyist lasers under 12”x12” may only fit small customized gifts or mini projects. This prevents larger offerings like signage, furniture components, and multiple projects in one job.

Even scaling up necessities like jigs and templates won’t fit. However, don’t overspend on an industrial model if you don’t regularly need 3’x5’+ space.

Consider modular options like the xTool D1 Pro that starts at 16”x15” but can double in size with extension kits if you want to buy this. The right work area accommodates 95% of your anticipated projects without wasting money heating and moving unused space. Insufficient work envelopes create bottlenecks and prevent growth.

But laser users can creatively design any product with smart workpiece positioning and sequences. Analyze your projected offerings’ sizes to find the ideal laser bed for your small business needs.

Speed, and efficiency for maximum profit per hour

As a laser cutting business owner, maximizing profitability means making the most out of every hour of machine operation.

First, ensure you have adequately powerful laser with accessory options like a rotary tool or conveyor belt feeder to tackle a wide variety of highly profitable products in your target materials. Streamline repetitive tasks like positioning and focus with camera-assisted software.

Standardize your processes with design templates, jigs, settings databases, and material profiles. Batch similar designs using optimized software tools to reduce per-piece setup. Schedule production sequences to minimize material waste. Automate post-processing steps like sanding or painting when feasible.

Analyze profit margins and cut times on every product and service to identify your highest value offerings. Outsource or defer lower-profit work during peak periods. Little optimizations like simplified operating procedures and organized workspaces shave time incrementally. With a focus on doing the most profitable jobs quickly, efficiently, and at maximum quality, you can maximize profits per operating hour.

Laser engraver speed becomes especially important for high volume or customizable work like wedding decor and gifts, awards, engraved products, etc. Maximizing engraving and cutting velocity through software settings, optimized file preparation, upgrading to higher wattage lasers, and streamlining fixturing allows completing more projects per shift.

But precision and consistency remain paramount - rapidly producing defective products won't be profitable. Balancing speed with accuracy and material-appropriate power levels results in the highest throughput of flawless products. Investing in a quality laser optimized for your materials, plus process improvements for efficiency, maximize profits through faster production.

Accessories

The range of add-on accessories for laser cutters can greatly benefit a small business by increasing product versatility, efficiency, and revenues.

A rotary tool enables offering customized engravings on curved items like mugs, glasses, and bottle openers - expanding your offerings. An enclosure contains debris and fumes for safer, compliant indoor operation. A riser base handles large, tall pieces like furniture components.

An air assist creates crisper details. An auto-feed conveyor queues long production runs for streamlined batch processing. Afume extractor improves shop air quality and protects sensitive optics. Accessories that automate repetitive tasks like material handling, positioning, and post-processing boost throughput.

The more capabilities your laser system gains from attachments, the broader your product catalog can be. Carefully evaluate available accessories from a business growth mindset. The right add-ons transform your basic laser into a versatile production hub for diverse product lines, unlocking profit potential.

Best Projects To Make and Sell With a Laser Cutter

When launching a laser cutting business, focus on proven top-sellers.

Customized wood and acrylic signs stay in high demand for homes, offices, and event venues.
Engraved slate serving boards and coasters make great kitchen gifts. Etched stemless wine glasses and beer mugs add personalized flair to barware.
Monogrammed leather valet trays and coasters elevate bedrooms and man caves.
Engraved cutting boards, cheese boards, and utensil holders appeal to chefs and cooks.
Pet ID tags and collars personalized with a pet's name and owner's phone number are hugely popular.
Custom tabletop games like cornhole boards, dice towers, and chess sets make memorable gifts.
Awards and plaques for businesses and events engrave beautifully on metal or wood.
Another hot product is wedding decor like table numbers, signage, gift boxes, and wall art.

With the right laser power and attachments, you can produce these best-sellers to maximize your laser business profits.

Laser Software For Running Your Small Business

Selecting the right laser cutting software is crucial when starting a laser business, as it impacts productivity, capabilities, and profit potential. While entry-level options like LaserGRBL provide basic features to import designs and set parameters, more versatile software is recommended for business use.

Efficient operations require tools like batch processing, template alignment and etching, simulated previews, diameter compensation for rotary attachments, and camera integration for easy material positioning. Lightburn ($60 one-time purchase) offers the best value for small laser businesses with its robust toolset optimized for different materials, specialized laser features, and incredibly intuitive interface.

Alternatively, proprietary software bundled with higher-end lasers provides tailored advanced functionality. Additional add-ons can supplement core software, like photo to laser engraving plugins. Prioritize workflow streamlining and material customization capabilities when evaluating options. Investing a bit more in software with sophisticated features tailored to laser cutting businesses pays dividends through time savings, reduced waste, and productivity boosts.

FAQs

Is laser cutting profitable?

Yes, laser cutting can be profitable. Many business owners on Etsy and other marketplaces make a living selling custom designs, and also manufacture parts and prototypes for industrial clients. Many videos are on YouTube of laser businesses discussing how profitable their businesses are.

How much does it cost to start a small laser engraving business?

The cost to start a small laser engraving business varies but typically ranges from $8,000 to $20,000. This includes the price of the laser engraver, software, materials, and marketing. Actual costs can differ based on equipment quality, location, and business scale.

How can I start a laser engraving side hustle?

To start a laser engraving side hustle:

Research the market and target audience.
Budget and purchase a quality laser engraver.
Acquire necessary software and training.
Source materials for engraving.
Set up a workspace.
Market your services through social media and local networks.

What are some common mistakes when setting up a laser engraving business?

Common mistakes when setting up a laser engraving business include:

Not doing enough market research.
Buying inappropriate or low-quality laser cutters.
Not following safety guidelines, leading to a hazard such as a fire.
Not investing in training.
Not charging enough.
Ignoring marketing and branding.
Neglecting customer feedback and after-sales service.

Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.