Day in the Life of a Laser Engraving FULL TIME Etsy Seller

[@Orion-cw4ji]

Oh and I forgot to tell you. I really enjoy watching your videos. They are very informative and you add just enough corny to make it fun to watch.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

😃 thanks.

[@13daniel1974]

Dude, you get what you are asking for...don't doubt that good things come to those who do give and do good things. You are inspiring me and my lady to keep proceeding with our ideas and dreams. Thank you for this!!!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

😃

[@faronmastin8683]

Been watching your videos for awhile now and one thing I can say you are an awesome person who thinks of others and not just yourself. Plus you make great videos really enjoy watching them. Got my OMTech 80w a couple of days ago and now tying to learn Light Burn. Keep the videos coming.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Hey thanks 😃. That’s awesome congrats 🎉

[@I-LOVE-EARTH]

Screwing on the top and marking the center of the tumbler is genius!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks 😃

[@terranceweis5231]

I appreciate the content you've been putting out. This has by far become one of my favorite channels for laser engraving. I've learned a lot and it's prevented my from jumping the gun on stuff I'd regret buying

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks 😃 that’s awesome

[@foundrylabz]

Matt, i bought a 1 gallon shop vac to suck up all those tiny pieces. It works like a champ and gets the job done quick. Plus i use it to clean up all the inside of the laser as well and small enough that it's not in the way.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s awesome thanks 😃

[@dachip50]

Long time watcher first time commenter. I have the Xtool D1 Pro 20W and this Christmas season cranked out a couple hundred wood Christmas ornaments. Some of the cutout pieces fell through the honeycomb but a lot were just a hair bigger than the holes. I decided that it was faster and easier to run my ryobi 18v shop vac over the honeycomb between batches to pick up the small pieces.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That is a great idea 😃 thanks

[@RubberheadStudios0001]

Keep a small cordless shop vac close by for small pieces on the bed.

[@LaserGuy62]

I don't know if you have ever tried this product for cleaning after lasering Drinkware like those water bottles in this video, but it really works wonders. I used to use the magic eraser pads and they work ok but then I saw a post about a product you can buy on Amazon or at Dollar Tree outlets, it's called LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner. it works great to clean Plastic and the smoke residue inside the laser cabinet. But cleaning SS after lasering brings it to a shine instead of a dull look. Thanks for all the helpful videos and tips.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Yes it is awesome. The dollar tree closed for 5 months by me but now it’s open again. 👍😃

[@pamelapruitt2558]

Glad the 'nose tickles' are gone. Don't envy you the snow. But it's better than an ice storm!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Yeah ice storm are no fun.

[@stoney9275]

Great video. I was watching this evening while running my Thunder 35/80 and your machine done sounds kept faking me out on my own machine. So glad your liking your Thunder. I started watching your channel when I made the big plunge into my Thunder from Full Spectrum Hobby. It's been fun watching you progress. I've got your guys Etsy shop in mind for a gift for my wife. Just wanna have something Matt and Sara made here in WV. Peace brother

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s awesome. Glade you like yours too.

[@HomesteadingNorthernMichigan]

Good morning guys, have a very blessed day

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Good morning 🌞😃 Jason

[@nightcasino]

I love the videos! I run a small laser business in Minnesota as well. You have a great personality and I very much enjoy and look forward to the videos! God Bless!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks and hello 👋 neighbor 😃

[@CokeheadClause]

Hey man im starting my business here shortly. I have been binging your laser videos learning a ton. Appreciate the knowledge, especially in this field where its gatekeeped heavily.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks

[@newmonengineering]

I use a 5gallon shop vac with 2.5in tube to pickup the scraps odd the bed. It saves a ton of time doing it that way. Just thought I would throw it out there. You can also remove the honey comb and use knife supports then they fall to the bottom of the machine but I still clean the bottom with the shop vac. The hardest part is finding a place to store the vac so it's not in the way lol

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks that is an awesome idea

[@leafiles5102]

Hey Matt & Sarah! We Love watching your videos! They are great and informative! We are getting our Omtech 100 watt next month! We are converting our dining room into office/laser work space. We will have to vent out the window until we move into a bigger space. I live in a town home, got neighbors near by, Im nervous its going to be loud and also weird to have it exhausting near passerbyers. Whatever, we are going for it! If theres a will, theres a way! Cant wait! We are Brand New and with watching your videos, you have made us confident we are making the right choice! keep those Videos Coming!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That is awesome congrats. Just tell all the neighbors what you’re doing. They might be buying stuff from you soon. 😃

[@eblosfield]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!! Thanks for always sharing. I'm working on getting my Etsy shot set up, kicking myself in the butt for not starting it 2yrs ago, as was wondering how you decide how many box sizes you buy? I'm trying to avoid buying a box for every item, but I also am trying to avoid putting smaller items in large boxes and paying more for shipping. How did you start with your boxes? Thanks a million

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks. We started out using the free boxes from USPS but now we order from Uline and we have about five different boxes we use for everything but it took a while to get there.

[@Orion-cw4ji]

Can you do a video on the process and products you use for post processing your engraving and cutting? And what products you use.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

I will put it in the books.

[@bltventure]

How often have you replaced a laser tube? I have a cam5 laser for 4 years and tube is starting to go. 80 watt. I think I’ll upgrade to 100w.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

The thunder is new so don’t know yet and the Epilog has been 2 to 3 years.

[@chucklenz9011]

Love you guys and your videos. Ur down to earth and u talk about ur real problems… Hey the snow-/-/:/ keep it. From Yuma Az. Hi’s in the high 60s and next week in the low 70s.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks 😃🤣😂🤣 I will want them temps in about a month when we start to plant in the greenhouse.

[@jmillerdesign]

Just found your channel... the Thunder is really out of my price range for now. But I've been making CNC signage for about a year now and can't wait to add a laser.. Thanks for sharing your work and experience.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Just keep looking forward and make goals 😃

[@kennethfails3593]

Happy New Year my bearded beam brother! Still watching and loving your videos. We finally added a 100 watt co2 laser with our other laser. Not a big business yet but doing alright. Keep up the great work!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks and same to you. You are building up nicely 😃

[@MiaSanBayern]

Do you buy the tumblers or do the companies bring them to you and you do the engraving? Would you say that is your best seller/service or?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

We have both. Lots of companies bring yeti’s to use or order them to ship to us.

[@davekimbler2308]

I’m new to this and received a TT55 for Christmas, things I’d like to ask you are , do you like the Lightburn program ? I have air assist so by going slower and the laser closer do I run full power to cut wood ? How do you like selling things on Etsy ? Sounds like you got the same snow storm we got , are you near Minnesota ? I hope I’m not bothering you I subscribed to you channel today , because I just found it ! Lol . Thanks much

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Yes. Depends on the wood. Like it. Central Minnesota. No bother at all. Glad to help 😃 and congrats 🎊

[@ftballlaxable]

I keep a shop vac next to my machine to suck up those small pieces instead of picking them up between runs it takes 2 seconds and back to cutting

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s a really good idea 👍 Thanks 😃

[@nateslocum9950]

I have a dedicated shop vac for cleaning up the honeycomb after a cut. Gets all the small pieces in seconds.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s awesome thanks 😃

[@ObiJuanGinobli]

Is there any consumer grade cutter/engraver that you’d recommend? I’ve been considering ones like the xtool, laser pecker 4 when it releases, atom stacker, but idk if those are reliable with customer support and having trouble finding their official website, except xtool I could find easily, they seem the most trustworthy brand, but who is the best overall quality and performance if I’m not going the commercial grade route to get going?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

I don’t recommend the laser pecker but as far as the xtool I had one issue and had to email them and i got a response the next morning on how to fix it. There is also a lot more videos on the X tool that you can learn from then the laser pecker. you don’t have to but I have a link in the description and sometimes they put deals on that link but you don’t have to buy one through that link. Hope this helps.

[@MarkManSC]

Great seeing you again, Matt! 😂 Use a ShopVac to suck up the small scrap pieces on the work table. We use one at my maker lab. It sits between the two lasers and has a long hose. Just an idea. Cheers!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

😂. Thanks that is a great idea 😃

[@zero00044]

I have a desktop diode laser for my small business. Plan on getting a fiber laser when I can afford it so I can get things done faster and engrave sone metal for the few customers who want that. Working on setting up an online shop so really want to bust out product faster. Mine take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for tumblers and water bottles. I would love if it only took 4 minutes. I decided not to do etsy because they are definitely not beginner friendly if you do a small amount of product. They take way too much from each sale and other fees. Made my own shop site with bigcommerce. Flat monthly fee for the service and any software you add to it, like automatically figuring out sales tax and shipping costs for eact state. Payment processing is still standard but its so much easier to figure whats being charged. I work out of my bedroom in my apartment so no room for large equipment lol. When I do drink glasses, tumblers or water bottles I mark the front and back with 1/4 painters tape over the lip. That way not only can I figure out which part is the front or back when it has a lid, but if I do an image or set of images that goes all the way around, I can tell when it makes a full rotation without overlapping when doing a trace. Then (I use lightburn) I use the frame tool and adjust the size until it makes that full rotation without overlapping. Then just save that frame as a template for that type and size of cup, tumbler or bottle. Makes it super easy to put new images where you want them and know they will engrave within your set boundaries the first time. No more testing required. At least for making sure it's within the boundary. Still a good idea to trace all images and text individually to know their size.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

If you can’t afford to sell on Etsy then you should really consider raising your prices. Because we have always done good from the beginning and have helped people start and they are also doing well.

[@zero00044]

@@laserengravingwithmatt my prices are already as high as I want them. Any higher and people won't want to buy. Most of my tumblers and water bottles are bought at Walmart to keep my prices low and my drink glasses are bought at the dollar store. 20oz BUILT tumblers and Walmarts mainstays tumblers I sell for $35. Drink glasses are $20 a piece or $50 for a set of 4. Priced glass as more expensive due to having to paint them first with tempera paint in 2 coats and dry with a heat gun. Coasters both wood and slate are $45. Those have to be treated too. Slate with spray enamel and wood with danish oil. Had issues with some live edge wood ones cracking in the past. The danish oil moisturizes and seals them to prevent that, while making the engraving pop. Did a bunch of research before choosing what system I wanted to ho with and every bit of info I found online specifically said to stay away from etsy of you don't sell over $5k per month. Also bigcommerce integrates with the system I already have for in person sales. I've only been doing mostly custom work for some of my mom's friends and a couple customers I've picked up from my main job as a cashier. So I haven't made much in the last year I've been doing this. That's why I'm starting up my own website with my own domain. Already had a Facebook for my business. Eventually my plan is to slowly build up my business to quit my (severely underpaid) job. Hoping to do that sometime this year or next. Then either buy a piece of land and put a small shop on it, or buy a house with room for one. Everything is way too expensive right now and not much available in my city anyway lol.

[@kingdomtouchesbyajayrichrn6077]

Hey! What about having a dedicated shop vac to quickly pick up the pieces. I use a miniature broom and dust pan because I just thought of the shop vac idea while I was watching.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Yes I think that is a great idea 😃 thanks

[@Cynshome]

Hey Matt, got a quick question. Iv'e watched a ton of your video's and I had a question. I'm new at this and figure with you experence you might know. when I laser engrave a bamboo cutting board, they smell burnt. Is there a way to seal them or am I burning them too deep? I love how the cutting boards come out but, i'm put off by the burnt smell. Any suggestions?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Hello 👋. I like them down with a damp cloth and then let them dry and the smell goes away after a little while.

[@goldgulfcoastdesignericsho8628]

Matt your Videos are always fun to watch and being in the same business, Your issues and our issues always seem to follow one another Except for Snow Haha. I don't know if that's KARMA or Luck 🤣. We always Take at least a week or two for Summer Vacation turn everything off no matter what, this helps recharge the Batteries and come back ready to create new products. 😀 As far as the fan exhaust issue take the grate restrictor plate off the back of the inside of the machine works wonders.👍

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Hey thanks I will try that.

[@fretworkpeddler]

Thanks for another helpful video.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

😃

[@PedersonPantry]

What kind of power are you talking? On mine I try 15% and it still burns through the tape and into the powder coating. I started taping aluminum foil first, and then painters tape. It’s time consuming for sure!

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

I run mine at 10% power. I have a 60 watt

[@woodproshopus]

Great video! One question, how do you sell those Rctic tumblers if they do not allow to resell them ? You have to apply for a special permit.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

The ones I am doing are from jds

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

I have never heard of that permit

[@woodproshopus]

@@laserengravingwithmatt JDS sells Rctic?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

No

[@RubberheadStudios0001]

What kind of wood are you buying at Menards if I may ask?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

MDF

[@MiaSanBayern]

Also, would you be willing to share where you get most of your jobs from? How much active selling do you do, advertising, etc?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

It is about 50-50 local business, and Etsy only advertising we do is on our Facebook and Etsy

[@TOMA21207]

Great video as always, I'm wondering, you probably said this couple of times, but what is the cost of this lasers new, and what is the operational cost monthly, like how much electricity is consuming? How many years you need to use them in order to pay them off? Thanks.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks the Epilog laser is way to much do not get one. You will know why in video soon. The laser tubes are what ever watt you get so 60watt is the same as a 60watt lightbulb plus all the fans etc I would say about 150watt ish.

[@TOMA21207]

@@laserengravingwithmatt thanks.

[@craigreich8046]

Have you ever done shadow foam for toolbox organization?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Nope

[@stephaniethibault6571]

Shop vac the pieces out!! Cutting lines eats up time, time is money. Even tiny cuts add up and uses your laser life 😊

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks 😃

[@rmoiii]

Have a shopvac near buy to clean up the small stuff that doesn't fall through.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That is a good idea thanks 😃

[@ericwoodruff5516]

Happy New Year. Just curious. When you estimated the job or planned your workload for the 50 water bottles, what did you estimate for your per piece time? 10 minutes each knowing unboxing, setup, engraving, cleaning, and repackaging time? You seemed a little surprised when the epilog said 4 minutes each for engraving.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

We bid it high enough. In my head I was thinking they were 20oz. 10.00 per plus the coast of buying them and shipping

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

This is a company that comes back a couple of times a year so we give them a deal

[@ericwoodruff5516]

Thanks for sharing.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

No problem 😉

[@HappysGiftsandApparel]

Hi Matt! I have been watching your videos for a while. Love them! Not sure what you are looking to do with your exhaust but I recently 3D printed an adapter for my thunder 24 to go from 6 to 8. If that would be helpful to you please let me know.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks I will keep that idea in my pocket. I think I know how to fix it and keeping the fans.

[@ericfirst6200]

I love your videos and passion for helping the laser community. Was curious is your thunder a fiber or a co2? I have a 105w co2 on the way and excited to start tackling projects.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks 😃 and it’s a C02

[@suecia8417]

AM WAITING, DID YOU EVER DECIDED WHAT FIBER LAZER YOU'LL BE GETTING, LET ME KNOW PLZ

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

We are sitting down tomorrow and pulling the trigger.

[@jeffcoldon1496]

what model camera do you use to make your videos

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

M50

[@LearningwithMrJay]

I have been working with my engraver for8 months and had no idea how to put the rotary on. TYTYTYTYTTY

[@KiLLaDaTa]

Happy New Year

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Thanks and same to you 😃

[@Golfexpertbelieveme]

Is the epilogue worth the money over the Thunder?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Only if you are running the same thing all the time and lots of it. So not really.

[@Golfexpertbelieveme]

@@laserengravingwithmatt thanks!

[@shelleymikecasey]

Hi Matt what rotary attachment do you have.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

The one that Epilog has

[@richarddawson3119]

how did you get your laser machines into your basement?

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

They fit through the door but the thunder laser I had to tip sideways to get to the door the bottom feet come off the thunder.

[@derrickcarlson1673]

Fiber lasers > C02

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

C02 then fiber

[@woody1380]

My wife was hoping for 8 inches overnight but she got 4 inches as normal this morning

[@Richiebones]

Hi brother my name is rich and me and my wife are trying to start a laser engraving business. This is my saving grace brother. I was thinking about getting the x tool 10 watts for the first 1 cause we are poor people and I can get a refurbished 1 for 5 hundred dollars do you think that would be OK to make some products I have a in with alot of first responders because my wife is a 911 dispatcher and I am a bouncer and a lyft driver. I know a little to much info but I like to give people the bog picture . So I believe with networking it can be done I'm hoping cause I'm getting old brother lol . Have a awsome day man .

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

Yeah you need to start somewhere. Just make sure to save up so you can upgrade and grow with your business.

[@Richiebones]

@@laserengravingwithmatt cool brother thanks for replying I am getting the laser in today I'm pretty excited.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s awesome