Starting or Growing an Awards and Signage Business with a Laser

An awards or personalization business needs products you can make consistently and price properly. A laser can be part of that setup. Start with the work you want to sell, then choose the materials, machine and workflow to match.

Start with a manageable product range

Choose a small range you can sample and cost before adding more. If you already run a sign or awards shop, look for products that fit the orders you’re taking now.

Plaques and awards. Engraved wood plaques, acrylic recognition pieces and Rowmark award plates give you different finishes to offer. Decide which blanks, sizes and layouts belong in your starting range.

Name badges and signs. Rowmark lists LaserMax for name badges, nameplates, signs and plaques. Build samples with the lettering, colours and badge fasteners you intend to offer.

Drinkware. A compatible rotary attachment rotates cylindrical items such as tumblers and glasses during engraving. On suitable powder-coated stainless steel tumblers, a CO₂ laser removes the coating to reveal the metal underneath. Bare stainless steel needs a different approach: a marking compound with CO₂, or direct marking with a suitable fibre laser. Test the actual blank before accepting an order.

Choose the material for the finish

The product name alone doesn’t tell you how it will process. An acrylic award and a metal tumbler need different decisions.

• Rowmark: LaserMax is microsurfaced impact acrylic made for laser engraving and cutting. Choose the specific product, colour and finish against the job requirements. Our Rowmark page is a starting point.
• Acrylic: with a CO₂ laser, cast acrylic gives a frosted white engraving, while extruded acrylic engraves clear. Extruded acrylic is useful for cut sign shapes. Specify which type you’re buying so the sample and production stock match.
• Wood: CO₂ lasers can engrave and cut wood. Approve a sample in the actual wood and finish you plan to sell, whether it’s a plaque or a personalized gift.
• Anodized aluminum: a CO₂ laser can mark the anodized surface, but it doesn’t cut the aluminum. Plan around blanks or a separate cutting process. See our laserable metals page.

Compare Epilog laser systems against your actual sheet sizes, largest blanks and rotary setup. Include the space needed to hold the product, not just the size of the artwork.

Treat tactile signs as a separate workflow

Rowmark’s ADA Alternative is a matte, non-glare modified acrylic intended for tactile signage. Rowmark’s fabrication guide describes a workflow using laser-cut appliqué lettering on a base plate, with Braille added separately.

That is a different job from engraving a flat door sign. Allow for assembly and the Braille process in your costing. Get the project’s signage specification and acceptance requirements confirmed before quoting; choosing a material alone doesn’t establish compliance.

Build a repeatable workflow

1. Approve the proof. Confirm names, spelling, dates, dimensions, quantity and finish with the customer. Keep the approved version with the order.
2. Test the material. Start with Epilog’s recommended settings for your machine and wattage, then test on the actual stock. Treat published settings as a starting point.
3. Save the job. Epilog Job Manager lets you save jobs and their laser parameters for later use. Keep the material code, colour, blank supplier and approved artwork with your production notes.
4. Finish and inspect. Check each piece against the proof. Include cleaning, attaching badge backs, assembling plaques or signs, and packing in the time you record.

Plan fume extraction alongside the laser. Epilog requires functioning exhaust or filtration during operation. Include that equipment in your setup budget, and follow the machine’s operating and maintenance instructions. Epilog also advises staying with the machine while it runs.

Price the whole order

Before setting a selling price, work out what the complete job costs. Use your own supplier quotes and measured production time. Include:

• Materials: sheets or blanks, fasteners, bases, adhesives and packaging, with an allowance for test pieces and waste.
• Artwork and setup: preparing the file, proof revisions, positioning and rotary setup where needed.
• Production: engraving or cutting, loading and unloading, cleaning, assembly and inspection.
• Overhead: premises, electricity, extraction, maintenance and equipment costs.

Decide how you’ll charge for setup and artwork, and whether a minimum order charge makes sense. Compare local offers with the same materials, quantities and level of customization. Then set a price that covers your costs and leaves the margin your business needs.

For repeat orders, check that the artwork, material and quantity are still the same before reusing the quote. Base quantity discounts on the time and costs you actually save.

Grow from work you can repeat

Keep a record of total labour, material used, rework and selling price for each product. Use that record to decide what deserves more attention. Add a new blank or finish once you’ve sampled it, timed the full job and worked out the price.

Next step

Synergy is Canada’s exclusive Epilog dealer and an authorized Rowmark dealer. Our showrooms in Delta, BC and Mississauga, ON are available by appointment.

Use the Product Finder to narrow the equipment options, or contact us with your product list, materials and largest item dimensions to discuss a suitable setup.