Laser Engraver for Small Business 101: Engrave Metal Like a Pro

Learn how to engrave metal efficiently and achieve professional results with this concise guide.

The Appeal of Metal Engraving

Metal engraving is a longstanding craft, with traditional techniques dating back centuries to create smooth, detailed surfaces. Today, modern laser engravers have revolutionized this art form—and for small businesses, these tools double as hobby gear and professional assets, ideal for branding, crafting value-added products, and generating revenue. This guide covers the basics of tapping into this niche, common pitfalls, trend ideas, and top recommendations to help you master metal engraving.

How to Engrave Metal with a Laser Engraver

Laser engravers come in varied types for different use cases: fiber lasers excel at industrial metal engraving, while benchtop CO2, diode, or IR laser models are better suited for small businesses and hobbyists.

Metal coatings also matter—for example, CO2 lasers struggle with reflective stainless steel, so a specialized coating is often required to boost efficiency. Below is a step-by-step process using the Ortur Laser Master 3 laser engraver and cutter:

1. Import a high-quality vector design into the machine’s compatible software.
2. Secure the metal workpiece on the Ortur LM3; use the Ortur YRC 1.0 rotating chuck for round objects.
3. Open the design software to adjust parameters (thickness, DPI, speed, power) for optimal laser head performance.
4. Start engraving—the LM3 offers a top speed of 20,000mm/min. For deeper carvings, run multiple passes.
5. After completion, clean the metal surface and inspect the final result.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mastering metal engraving requires familiarity with your specific laser hardware. Steer clear of these frequent errors:

1. Inadequate ventilation: The Ortur LM3 mitigates this with a dual-fan cooling system and guided airflow shutters for stable operation.
2. Using reflective metals: Reflective surfaces can damage the laser; opt for matte-coated or low-reflectivity metals instead.
3. Neglecting machine maintenance: Keep your laser in a dust-free environment and maintain its functionality to prevent breakdowns.
4. Engraving directly on valuable items: Practice on scrap metal first before working on jewelry, gift boxes, or other precious pieces.

Niche Ideas & Recommendations

For small businesses, Etsy and Amazon Handmade are ideal platforms to target metal engraving niches. Jewelry (rings, bracelets, necklaces) is a top choice, as are custom-engraved tech accessories (phone/laptop cases, USB drives) and kitchenware.

The Ortur LM3 is the ultimate small-business metal engraver, thanks to its advanced protection system, ultra-precise laser focus, and high-performance cooling/ventilation—perfect for all these niche applications.