If you're new to laser cutting and engraving, it can all be overwhelming. There are so many brands of lasers, different materials to engrave, from wood to tumblers, leather portfolios, wallets, knives, the list is endless.
When looking for blank items to engrave you have to find a few things if you want to be successful.
The item must be engravable.
All materials are not created equal when it comes to this. Bamboo doesn't engrave like oak, which doesn't engrave like bamboo, which doesn't engrave like leather. And don't attempt vinyl or you could end up with some pretty toxic gasses and might kill the neighbor's dog with the fumes.
The items has to be be inexpensive enough to make it worth your effort and provide profit
Definitely begin with the end in mind here. What can you reasonably sell the finished item for? How much do you need to make from each sale? What percentage of items might you make a mistake on and need to discard. How much time does it take you to produce each item? What are shipping and handling costs and are they covered by you or the customer? These questions will help you determine what you can afford to pay for a laserable blank.
The item must be of sound quality or you're going to receive some negative customer reviews.
You've got to have an inexpensive item, but not a cheap item. The last thing you want is to purchase a lot of blanks, engrave and sell them and later find out that you've flooded the market with inferior quality items.
Versatility.
Can the item only be personalized and sold on one particular holiday or time of year? Items need to be versatile so you can use them year round and not get stuck sitting on inventory that you have to wait another 11 months to sell.
Linking with Chinese sellers can be a good way to find items in bulk that you can then engrave to turn a profit. I cover this in more detail in a different post. But when you need items within a few days, Amazon can be your best friend and is loaded with engravable items that you can purchase, engrave and turn a healthy profit on.
Here are my Top 5 items that you can purchase from Amazon, engrave and turn a nice profit:
These Mossy Oak knives are great items to engrave and can be customized for so many different occasions. Father's day? Engraved knife. Groomsman's gifts? Engraved knife. Brother's Birthday? Engraved knife. Your sister is a tomboy? Engraved knife! Well, maybe not, but you get the point, and these Mossy Oak knives are a versatile item that will suit many different occasions.
These Juro 20oz Tumblers are another great item with tremendous popularity and amazing versatility. These come in many different colors and can be engraved specifically for teachers, nurses, policemen, grandparents, father's day, mother's day, any profession. You can engrave custom sayings and names into these tumblers and they make awesome gifts for so many different occasions. And at this price point, they're a no-brainer.
These wooden cutting boards from Allsum are the perfect substrate for laser cutting and engraving. These can be personalized with monograms, funny sayings, holiday patterns, and are great gifts for men or women year round. These are another versatile item that can be sold for multiple occasions and all seasons throughout the year. And at this price point, you can put some real money in your pocket.
These Metal RFID Wallets are really gaining a lot of popularity as of late. They block out RFID swipe devices that are designed to steal your credit card information. Even better these are coated and can be personalized with your laser engraver. These are great gifts, year round and can be customized with names, initials, images, monograms, and are super versatile and sure to a fast mover in your catalog!
So if you're looking to turn a profit with laserable items that ship to you quickly, have a strong profit margin, can be sold year round, and be best sellers for your shop, the products are out there. The only limitation is your imagination!
Looking for pre-made laser cut files? Check out our selection of files for laser cutters and engravers on Etsy here.
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