How to Calculate Laser Engraving Costs
Whether you own a Glowforge, xTool, Ortur, or a full-size CO2 laser, knowing the true cost per item is the difference between a profitable side hustle and an expensive hobby. Most makers forget to account for machine depreciation and energy — two costs that quietly stack up over hundreds of jobs and eat the next tube replacement or machine upgrade.
The four cost layers
Every laser job has four cost components: the material or blank, the electricity consumed by the laser, the machine depreciation spread across its useful lifespan, and your labor for design prep, loading, weeding, and finishing. The calculator rolls all four into a single cost-per-item number.
Using this as a laser pricing calculator
Some makers search for a laser pricing calculator rather than a cost calculator — same tool, different framing. Cost gives you the floor; pricing is what you charge customers. The reliable workflow: use the calculator above to get your true cost per piece, then apply a 3x markup as a starting list price (4x-5x for personalized work). Lasered keepsakes and wedding signage routinely command higher multiples than utility cuts.
The most common laser engraving prices in 2026: small wood ornaments $8-15, mid-size personalized signs $25-50, large bespoke pieces $80+. Stay above your calculated floor and the market will tell you the ceiling.
Machine cost presets
Use these as starting points and refine with your own purchase price and tube/laser life data:
| Machine | Typical price | Laser/tube life | Depreciation/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glowforge Pro (CO2) | $6,995 | ~2,000 hrs | ~$3.50 |
| Glowforge Plus (CO2) | $4,995 | ~2,000 hrs | ~$2.50 |
| xTool P2 (CO2) | $3,999 | ~8,000 hrs | ~$0.50 |
| xTool D1 Pro (diode) | $1,099 | ~10,000 hrs | ~$0.11 |
| Ortur Laser Master 3 (diode) | $649 | ~10,000 hrs | ~$0.06 |
| OMTech 60W CO2 | $2,599 | ~2,000 hrs | ~$1.30 |
Depreciation is purchase price divided by laser/tube life in hours. Diode lasers have much longer service life than CO2 tubes, which is why their per-hour cost is dramatically lower.
Why depreciation matters
A $4,000 CO2 laser with a 2,000-hour tube life costs $2.00 for every hour it runs — before you even flip the switch. If your average job takes 10 minutes, that’s about $0.33 in depreciation per piece. Ignore it and you’re slowly eating into the cost of your next tube replacement without realizing it. Build it into pricing and you have a replacement fund growing in the background.
Electricity cost is small but real
A 40W CO2 laser at full power draws about 5 watts effective; even at $0.15/kWh, that’s under a cent per hour. The bigger electricity line items are the chiller, air assist, and exhaust fan, which together can add 200-400W of continuous draw. Total electricity for a typical CO2 setup runs $0.05-$0.10 per hour. Negligible per item but worth tracking honestly.
Pro tip: Run test cuts on scrap material before committing to a full sheet. Dialing in speed and power on cheap offcuts saves you from ruining a $5 walnut blank and keeps per-item waste cost low. Track your reject rate separately — a 5% reject rate on a $10 blank is $0.50 of hidden cost per finished piece.
Set your sell price
Once you have a defensible cost-per-item, layer the platform fees before you list:
- Etsy Profit Calculator — reverse 2026 Etsy fees to find your minimum viable listing price.
- Amazon Handmade Calculator — for the flat 15% referral fee.
- Cricut Cost Calculator — if you also use a cutting machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a laser engraver per hour?▼
Electricity cost depends on your laser wattage and local rate. A typical 40W CO2 laser running at full power costs about $0.005 per hour in electricity alone. However, the real per-hour cost is much higher once you factor in machine depreciation and laser tube replacement, which can add $1-3 per hour depending on your machine.
How long does a Glowforge or CO2 laser tube last?▼
Most CO2 laser tubes last between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of active cutting and engraving time. Diode lasers like xTool models can last 10,000+ hours. Enter your machine cost and expected lifespan in the calculator to see the depreciation cost per job.
What markup should I use for laser engraved products?▼
A 3x markup on total cost is a common starting point for laser engraved goods sold on Etsy or at craft fairs. Personalized or custom items can command 4x-5x because customers value one-of-a-kind pieces. Always account for material, energy, depreciation, and your labor before applying the multiplier.