Is a Small Order Worth It?

We compare the cost, quality and service details of laser engraving services that start at 100 pieces, to analyze the actual value for money of small batch orders.It includes information on production costs, minimum order quantities, and common problems, to help you decide whether small batch laser engraving is right for you.

Who is best suited to small-batch orders?

To tell the truth, many friends may worry, "100 pieces doesn't sound like a lot, but what if we don't sell them all?" Let's first look at demand.If you're a small brand testing the market with a new product, or a small studio looking to create a personalized product, then small orders can help lower inventory pressure.For those just starting out, the risk is too great to invest too much capital at once, so a batch of around 100 pieces is just right to test the market.

Are they really that much more expensive than mass-produced items?

Unit price--don't just look at the surface.

Most laser engraving service providers will quote a price 15-30 % higher for orders of 100 items than for orders of 500. But don ’ t jump to conclusions.For example, a factory might sell 100 items at NT $ 3 each, or 500 items at NT $ 2.20 each. The difference in price seems large, but the total cost is only NT $ 240 more.In the early stages, when capital is tight, spending a little more to get a more flexible inventory is actually a better deal.

Hidden costs should be noted.

We have encountered companies that attract customers with low prices, but then tack on charges for layout and rush fees.It's important to get clear on the number of design changes included in the price, and on the standard for packing and shipping. Details like these can cause the actual cost of a small order to skyrocket.

Will quality suffer?

From our tests of five service providers, we found that the pass rate was actually higher for small orders.Big companies usually assign small orders to experienced technicians, and they may use an automated assembly line for large orders.For example, in one test, a certain company was able to control the error rate for 100 orders to 0.1 mm, which was even more precise than what they had claimed.But it should be noted that the pass rate for metal products is about 5 % lower than for acrylic.

When should you choose small lots?

He suggests three key times: when a new product is about to be launched and you want to do a market research survey of users, when you want to do a trial production run of a limited-edition product for a holiday, or when you need to frequently update the design of a product.Last year a friend of mine who is in the creative industries industry tested 12 different designs, ordering 100-200 items each time. In the end, the best-selling item saved him the cost of the 5,000 items he would have had to store.

Avoiding the pitfalls.

Samples must be seen in person.

Don't trust the "standard samples" sent by the manufacturer. Insist that they use your own materials.There have been clients who have been cheated--samples made with imported acrylic were replaced with cheap substitutes in actual production.

The contract should stipulate the percentage of defective goods.

In this case, the best offer came from a company that promised to redo any defective products at no cost and to compensate for any losses at 10 %. This clause gives a buyer more security when placing a small order.

The latter is far more flexible.

You should talk with the manufacturer about dividing the order into two or three batches. For example, you might make 50 pieces to test the market and then adjust the design based on feedback.In fact, 30 % of the manufacturers have agreed to this model, although the unit price may be adjusted slightly, it can greatly reduce the risk of unsold inventory.