How to Get a Laser Marking Quote

The key to getting an accurate quote for laser marking is to measure the product dimensions correctly.The book teaches you how to use common measuring tools to measure length, width and height. It also explains in detail the factors which influence the cost of a job, and helps you to avoid common mistakes in measurement.

Why is it so important to measure the dimensions?

When many of my customers first encounter laser marking, they always think, "It's just a rough estimate," but the price they are quoted and the actual cost are quite different.In fact, the cost of laser processing is directly related to the size of the product--the larger the area, the greater the material loss and the longer the processing time.Accurate measurements not only prevent the need for additional charges, but also let the craftsman plan the layout of the design in advance, reducing the rate of waste.

Prepare your measuring tools.

The basic tools are enough.

Don't be scared off by the "professional equipment." A regular ruler or measuring tape will do.If you are dealing with precision parts, a vernier caliper (which costs about NT $ 30 online) is recommended.Avoid using soft tape measures or cloth tape measures as they can stretch and cause inaccuracies.

Don't be sloppy with your recording tools.

Bring paper and a pen to jot down information, or even better, take photos with your cell phone.The most important photos are those of the measuring instruments, which will serve as evidence in case of any future disputes.

Three steps to precision.

Measure the height, width and length.

Take a cuboid as an example.

1. Place the object flat on a hard surface.

2. Press the ruler tightly against the longest side of the object, and read the number where the other side of the object meets the ruler, making sure to keep your eye directly above the ruler.

3. Record the average of three measurements.

When encountering curved surfaces or irregular shapes, they wrap a thin rope around the outline and measure the length of the rope. This method is particularly suitable for determining the location of a circular logo.

It is also a good idea to mark down any special requirements.

In addition to the dimensions, the customer should also indicate the area to be engraved, for example: "Engrave 20x30mm area on front side.If you want to process a curved surface, remember to specify the radius of the curve — this will affect the design of the laser head's movement path.

Check for consistency.

Most factories in Taiwan use millimeters (mm), so if your measurements are in centimeters (cm), remember to convert (1cm = 10mm).Once a client wrote 15cm as 15mm. The result was that the marking area was reduced by 10 times, and the entire batch had to be redone.

Hidden details that affect the price.

Don't ignore material thickness.

For example, when working on a 20x20 mm pattern, the laser power and time needed to process a 1-mm-thick stainless steel sheet will be quite different from those needed for a 5-mm-thick aluminum plate.When measuring, hold the edges of the material with the calipers, and take several measurements for greater accuracy.

The complexity of the pattern determines how long it takes.

Although size is the main billing criterion, a complex design (such as a QR code with 0.2 mm lines) will require at least 30 % more processing time than simple text.If you can describe the type of pattern you want beforehand, the price will be more accurate.

The secret of mass production.

After measuring a single sample, remember to confirm the tolerance for the entire batch of goods.We have encountered customers whose samples were measured correctly, but whose production sizes varied by more than ± 2mm, causing all of the previously prepared templates to be wasted and forcing us to charge them again.

Common misconceptions about measurement.

• Don't guess at measurements: Judging with the naked eye that a length is "about five centimeters" will definitely be wrong.

Don't forget to clean the caliper after each measurement: oil and grease can cause the jaws to slip, leading to errors.

• Draw a sketch of irregular shapes: Mark the size of each section in a different color.

• Consultation and service: Send your measurements and photos to the artisans, and they'll make sure everything is just right.

Now pick up the tools at hand and use this method to remeasure your product. As long as the data is accurate, most factories will be able to provide a quote within 10 minutes.If you are unsure about any of the steps, please feel free to contact our technical support team and together we'll minimize the errors.