Pricing Your Laser Marking Services
Shenzhen, China
Published: Jul 3, 2026
Pricing Your Laser Marking Services
Pricing is where most new laser marking businesses fail. They calculate material cost, add a small markup, and wonder why they’re working 60-hour weeks for minimum wage.
The Pricing Formula
Price = Material Cost + Labor + Overhead + Profit Margin
- Material Cost: What you pay for blank items + marking consumables
- Labor: Your time for design, setup, marking, and packaging (pay yourself at least $20–$30/hour)
- Overhead: Software subscriptions, electricity, machine depreciation, insurance, marketing
- Profit Margin: 50–100% for custom work (this is NOT gouging — customization commands a premium)
Real-World Pricing Example
Let’s price a custom-engraved stainless steel tumbler:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Blank tumbler cost | $8.00 |
| Design & setup time (15 min @ $25/hr) | $6.25 |
| Machine run time (5 min) | $1.50 |
| Overhead allocation | $1.00 |
| Total cost | $16.75 |
| Selling price (50% margin) | $33.50 |
| Selling price (100% margin) | $50.25 |
Market rate for a custom engraved tumbler: $30–$45. Price at $35 and you’re competitive with healthy margins.
Industrial Marking Pricing
For B2B work, pricing is typically per-part or per-hour:
| Service | Typical Rate |
|---|---|
| Simple text/logo on flat metal | $2–$5 per part (100+ qty) |
| Complex graphics/serial numbers | $5–$15 per part |
| Deep engraving on hardened steel | $10–$30 per part |
| Inside-ring engraving (jewelry) | $8–$15 per ring |
| Minimum setup fee | $25–$75 per order |
Pro tip: Always quote a setup fee for B2B work. It covers design time, test runs, and file preparation — work clients don’t see but you absolutely do.
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