Engraving pricing
Laser engraving pricing calculator
Engraving jobs often look cheap because material cost is small. The hidden cost is time: setup, alignment, test engraves, cleaning, batching and customer proofing.
What changes for engraving?
- Engraving time can dominate the job.
- Batch size matters because setup time spreads across more pieces.
- Cleaning, masking and finishing should be added when relevant.
Batch example
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
| Blank items | 10 units at USD 2 each |
| Engraving time | 4 minutes each = 40 minutes |
| Setup/proofing | 20 minutes |
| Machine rate | USD 35/hour |
| Labor rate | USD 28/hour |
The per-piece price should include both the engraving time and a share of setup. If the order drops from 10 pieces to 1 piece, the price per piece should rise.
FAQ
Should engraving price be based on area?
Area can help estimate time, but actual engraving settings, resolution, material and passes matter. Use time as the pricing anchor whenever possible.