Laser engraving is a fast, accurate, clean and durable branding and identification option. Using it, you can identify parts, brand your product permanently with your logo, personalize products and gifts for your customer, among many other industrial and retail applications. Laser engraving can create intricate patterns in small areas and, unlike other engraving techniques, many pieces of laser engraving equipment can also perform laser marking, which will mark the surface without altering it.

Since it is such a versatile option, laser engraving can meet a wide variety of your needs. It marks a wide range of surfaces quickly, churning out a high volume of marked product fast. When choosing your laser engraving services, keep the following in mind:

1. Choose laser engravers that provide a quick return on large orders.
2. Find laser engraving companies working on your needed materials.
3. Consider purchasing your own laser engraving machine.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a laser engraving business that's capable of handling your needs

Many companies offer laser cutting and engraving services that are focused as direct to customer services. While these companies may provide a high quality product, their price and turnaround competitiveness may be lacking in comparison to the business-focused companies you should seek out.

I recommend: Northeast Laser & Electropolish has a large number of laser engraving machines that enables the company to offer a high capacity output with a quick turnaround. Laser Alliance offers a 2 to 4 business day turnaround for most products and cost-effective pricing options.

Ensure your laser engravers can mark on your material

Though laser engraving is possible on a wide variety of surfaces, from industrial laser engraving on metals to intricate crystal laser engraving, each material provides unique requirements. Not all laser engraving companies have the technology and equipment for every type of material.

I recommend: Precision Laser Marking provides laser marking on virtually any surface and offers laser marked plates for those materials that aren't conducive to laser engraving. Lasermation has the capacity to work on hundreds of different materials, whether you supply the material or acquire it from the company.

Cut costs by purchasing your own laser engraving machine

Hiring out for your laser engraving needs may be the most cost-effective for many businesses. However, if you have a high volume of product that needs engraved, you may actually save money by purchasing your own machine and doing your marking in-house. This also provides the most customizable option and immediate quality control corrections.

I recommend: Trotec Laser provides a wide array of laser engraving machines, software, and accessories. Epilog Laser various styles of engraving systems for small to large format needs and offers advice on picking the correct machine for your product size, material, workload, and budget.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of file transfer services that many laser engraving companies offer. This ensure that your graphic or design will be exactly as you want it to look. Pay attention to the file formats that the company requires and provide accordingly.