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You want to grow your laser engraving business in 2026. You’re ready to find more customers and sell more products. You’re excited to have the freedom to create what you love and make money doing it.
And we’re here to help you get there.
This year, we partnered with 10 industry experts to share advice that actually moves the needle for your business. For today’s post, we’ve curated 15 of the best business tips from the MakerFlo blog and put them into one master list for you.
Consider this your personal business masterclass. If you want to skyrocket your business growth this year, get ready to take notes!
#1 - If You’re Not Finding Customers, Visit Local Businesses
So many laser engraving businesses struggle to find customers.
Usually, the problem is the type of customer they’re reaching. When you focus on single, one-off orders, you need to work hard to sell enough to be profitable. But selling to other businesses (B2B) can open massive doors for you.
Businesses buy in bulk and, more importantly, they become repeat customers. So if you’re ready to scale, stop going after one-off customers and start approaching B2B clients in your area.
Learn more in our Essential Makers Business Guide here
#2 - Having Physical Samples is the Best Way to Win New Customers
Let’s be honest: not many of us actually enjoy the “art” of the sale.
It feels awkward to approach a stranger and ask them to buy from you. But here’s a massive cheat code that helps you close deals without ever asking for the sale: bring physical samples.
When you show a potential client what your products look like, you’re letting them see the quality firsthand. As soon as they hold it, they start imagining their own version of it, complete with their logo or design.
Always keep some of your best work in your car or bag so you’re ready to show them at a moment’s notice.
Discover how to make and use sales samples here
#3 - Save Tons of Money on Blanks With Build-a-Bundle Offers
At MakerFlo, we’re obsessed with product quality, but we also want you to score the best possible profit margins.
You probably already know you can save by purchasing by the case (which is a lifesaver when a business client orders 100 custom tumblers)!
But have you seen our Build-a-Bundle offer? You can mix and match 25 items—like powder-coated tumblers, leatherette, and wood blanks—and still get 10% off. Seriously, run, don’t walk, to grab these deals.
Check out our Build-a-Bundle offer here
#4 - Discover the Secrets to a Powerful Brand
Sumita Patel’s customization business does numbers that other businesses only dream of.
Her branding looks incredibly professional today, but it wasn’t always like that. She scaled her business to six figures using a simple logo she designed herself in Canva.
The truth is, your brand is much more than a design or a graphic. In her branding guide for makers, Sumita teaches how to build a powerful brand without having to hire an expensive designer.
#5 - Never Worry About Pricing Again With the 4-to-6 Rule
Feeling confused about how to price your items?
You’re in good company—most engravers worry about this. Luckily, Sumita Patel has shared a powerful pricing rule that makes it easy to stay profitable.
It even helps you decide exactly how much you should be spending on blanks so you know what is actually affordable for your business. You can find the full formula in her guide to pricing for laser-engraved products.
Discover the 4-to-6 pricing rule here
#6 - Find a Profitable Niche & Cater to Them
Shannon Allen makes a full-time living selling "blinged-out" items like phone cases, shoes, and tumblers.
You might think it’s hard to sell rhinestone-encrusted items at a high price, but she’s figured out the formula: find a profitable niche. In her case, she sells to customers like cheer moms, engaged couples, and realtors.
So ask yourself: what specific group of people would value what you make? Once you figure this out, create products and samples specifically for them.
Discover Shannon’s best business tips here
#7 - Building Connections Helps You Make Money
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or Etsy lately, you know the market for engraved gifts is getting crowded.
To break through the noise, Emily Caroline (owner of That Mom With a Laser) recommends businesses make personal connections.
You don’t have to be a social media expert to do this. You can make connections at industry events, through local networking, or by simply meeting other business owners in your neighborhood.
Making just one new connection every day is the fastest way to find new customers.
Find out Emily’s full three-part formula to make more sales here
#8 - Beautiful Packaging Makes Your Products Premium
Kathryn Ewers, the owner of Primary Gifts, is known for her luxe packaging.
Not only has she turned presentation into a science, but she’s also shared her secrets with us on the blog.
Her biggest takeaway? The power of the "unboxing" experience.
Great packaging makes your product more than just a "thing"—it becomes a full experience that customers are happy to pay a premium for. Discover her 5 simple secrets for making packages feel high-quality in her full article.
#9 - Creating Moments of Delight Keep Customers Coming Back
Every business hopes to at least meet their customers' expectations.
But if you want customers for life, you have to go above and beyond by creating moments of delight.
One small way to do this is by including a care card with your custom items. (We include these with our tumbler blanks to make it easy for you.) You can also try adding a personal note, a special sticker, or a bonus gift with your shipments for the same effect.
Discover 6 more ways to increase sales in this article
#10 - Create Mockups Quickly With Product Sell Sheets
Have you tried using our product sell sheets yet?
Sell sheets are pre-made catalog sheets complete with images and specs that are ready for you to download and customize.
All you have to do is replace our product images with photos of your own customized gifts.
Having a printed or digital catalog of your products makes you look much more professional. Plus, it gives people the information they need to make a quicker buying decision. That means more sales for you!
Download product sell sheets here
#11 - You’ve Got to Be Different to Succeed on Etsy
If you are starting with online sales, Etsy is usually the first stop for many makers.
Keiko Ito, owner of Hanging With the Bride, is a bonafide Etsy success story. She used MakerFlo blanks to scale her revenue, but her biggest advice for succeeding on the platform is that you must be different.
In a sea of sameness, figure out how to bring something new to the table.
#12 - Your Website Needs 7 Things to Become a Selling Machine
Etsy is a great starting point for online sales, but eventually, you’ll need your own website to take your business to the next level.
We wholeheartedly recommend Shopify—it’s actually what we use to power our own site.
But what do you actually put on it? Srishti and Arpit Jain from Esenay Digital shared the top 7 things your website needs to turn visitors into customers.
Discover how to turn your website into a sales machine here
#13 - US-Based Businesses, Don’t Make Sales Tax Mistakes
If your business is based in the US, you will have to pay sales tax at the end of the year.
But doing it the wrong way can cost you precious time and money.
At MakerFlo, we offer tax-free purchasing to registered businesses, but we want to make sure you aren’t missing potential profits.
Check out our sales tax guide, authored by CPA Garrett M. Burnett, to make sure you’re handling taxes the smart way.
#14 - Trying New Things Fast is the Key to Success
Joshua Gragert-Perry is one of those rare owners who hit six figures in his first year of business.
He shared his whole story with us, including his number one piece of advice: to try new things quickly.
The more you allow yourself to experiment, fail, and move on, the faster you will discover what actually works for your brand.
Discover Joshua’s business success story here
#15 - Starting Your Business Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Maybe you’re reading this and you haven't even started your business yet.
If that’s you, don't worry! Starting doesn't have to be a complicated mess. We’ve outlined the entire process in our Essential Makers Business Guide.
You can also find specialized guides for starting a profitable craft business, a laser engraving business, or a tumbler business. We’re rooting for you!
By the way… Did you know we’ve written more than 100 articles on this blog over the past three years for makers like you? Everything we do is to help you improve your craft, learn new skills, and grow a profitable business.
We’ve got tons of resources that you can dive into right now, including our MakerFlo Pro business hub and laser engraving hub.
So are you ready to make 2026 your best business year yet? Let’s do this!
