How to Start a Laser Cutting Project with Laser Alliance
From Your Idea to a Finished Part
Starting a laser cutting, engraving, or marking project doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you have a finished CAD drawing, a graphic design, a sketch, or just an idea, Laser Alliance can help you determine the next step.
The best way to get started is to contact us and tell us about your project. If you have a drawing or design, send it to us so we can review it.
Important: In most cases, we need to see your design before we can provide an accurate price.
1. Tell Us What You Want to Make
Start by telling us about your project.
You can call or email Laser Alliance and provide as much information as you have. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the technical details yet.
Helpful information includes:
- What you want to have cut, engraved, or marked
- The material you want to use
- Material thickness
- Approximate part size
- Quantity needed
- Desired completion date
- Any special requirements, tolerances, or finishes
If you’re unsure about the material or the best laser process for your project, let us know. We can discuss your requirements and help determine what information is needed.
2. Send Us Your Design
The most important part of getting a quote is providing your design, drawing, or artwork.
Your file allows us to understand exactly what you want to produce and evaluate the requirements of the job.
Depending on your project, we can work with files such as:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- CDR
- DXF
- AutoCAD files
- SolidWorks files
- Fusion 360 files
Don’t Have a Finished Design? That’s okay.
If you’re still developing your project, you can contact us with a sketch, drawing, photograph, or other information that explains what you’re trying to make.
If you have a completed design, however, sending it to us will allow us to evaluate the project more accurately.
For additional information, see our guide on How to Prepare Laser-Ready Files.
3. We Review Your Project
Once we receive your design and project information, we review the requirements.
Depending on the project, we may consider:
- Material and thickness
- Part dimensions
- Cutting, engraving, or marking requirements
- Quantity
- Design complexity
- Required tolerances
- Production requirements
This helps us determine the appropriate process and what is required to produce your parts.
4. We Prepare Your Quote
After reviewing your design and project requirements, we can prepare a quote.
The cost of a laser cutting or engraving project can depend on several factors, including the material, material thickness, dimensions, quantity, design complexity, and processing time.
For this reason, we generally need to see your design before providing a price.
A project description alone often isn’t enough to determine an accurate cost.
5. Review the Quote and Move Forward
Once you receive your quote, you can review the details and decide how you would like to proceed.
After you approve the project, Laser Alliance can move forward with the appropriate laser cutting, engraving, marking, or other processing required for your job.
We work with a wide variety of materials and handle projects ranging from prototypes and one-off parts to production quantities.
What Information Should You Send Us?
The more information you provide at the beginning, the easier it is for us to understand your project.
If available, send us:
Design or Drawing: The file you want us to cut, engrave, or mark.
Material:
Tell us what material you would like to use. If you’re not sure, tell us what you’re trying to accomplish and we can discuss the options.
Material Thickness: Provide the thickness if you know it.
Quantity: Tell us how many pieces you need.
Size: Include the approximate dimensions of the finished part or material.
Deadline: Let us know when you need the project completed.
Special Requirements: Tell us about important tolerances, finishes, engraving, assembly, or other requirements.
What If I’m Not Sure What I Need?
That’s one of the reasons we’re here.
You don’t need to be a laser cutting expert to start a project with Laser Alliance.
If you’re unsure about the material, process, file format, or other technical details, contact us and explain what you’re trying to accomplish.
We’ll start with the information you have and determine what we need to evaluate the project.
Ready to Get Started?
Have a project in mind? We’d like to hear about it.
Call or email Laser Alliance and tell us what you’re working on.
If you have a design, drawing, or artwork, send it along with your project information. Once we can review the design and requirements, we can determine the best way to approach the project and provide a quote.