American Laser Cutter cost comparison

Choosing the right laser cutting provider comes down to three things: price, speed, and support. We compared the same project across SendCutSend, Ponoko, and American Laser Cutter.

👉 The results (same project):

  • American Laser Cutter: $56.70 (Cutting $46.20 + Material $10.50)

  • Ponoko: $74.61 (Cut $68.96 + File check $5.01 + Finishing $0.64)

  • SendCutSend: $126.40 (no itemized breakdown)

  • Rent our laser $26+ (look at the bottom for a breakdown)

American Laser Cutter was the most affordable—$69.70 less than SendCutSend (≈55% lower) and $17.91 less than Ponoko (≈24% lower). Ponoko is priced ≈31.6% higher than American Laser Cutter; SendCutSend is priced ≈123% higher.

SendCutSend

Pros

  • Automated instant quoting system

  • Large material catalog (plastics, metals, composites)

  • Nationwide shipping

Cons

  • Higher pricing than local providers for this project ($126.40)

  • Automated quoting doesn’t catch errors or wasted layouts

  • Human assistance costs extra

  • Longer lead times than local shops

Price & Lead Time (this project)

  • Price: $126.40 (no detailed breakdown provided)

  • Lead time: Not provided on this quote

Ponoko

Pros

  • Wide selection of acrylics, woods

  • design-friendly materials

  • Easy for hobbyists and beginners

  • Design software integrations

Cons

  • Automated quoting only, no error checking

  • Human support is an extra paid service

  • Higher costs once fees and markups are included

  • Slower fulfillment for larger projects

Price & Lead Time (this project)

  • Price: $74.61

    • Cut: $68.96

    • File check: $5.01

    • Finishing: $0.64

    • Standard inspection: $0.00

    • Total: $74.61

  • Lead time: Not provided on this quote

American Laser Cutter

Pros

  • Human-assisted quoting by default — errors and design waste are checked before production

  • File waste review included to help save on materials

  • Free local pickup (by appointment in Los Angeles)

  • Local delivery within Los Angeles County

  • Nationwide USPS shipping

  • Pricing is often significantly lower than national providers (see below)

  • Faster turnaround times

  • Flexible — you can supply your laser-safe material

  • Direct communication with real staff, no extra fee

Cons

  • Smaller in-house material catalog compared to the nationals (offset by customer-supplied stock)

Price & Lead Time (this project)

  • Price: $56.70

    • Cutting: $46.20

    • Material: $10.50

    • Human review & waste check: $0.00

    • Total: $56.70

  • Lead time: Standard 3–5 business days ready for pickup; rush 1–2 business days

Side-by-Side Comparison

Service Pricing (same project) Lead Time (this project) Quoting Method Human Assistance File Waste Checking Pickup / Delivery / Shipping SendCutSend $126.40 Not provided Automated instant quoting only Available, but extra charge Not provided Shipping via SendCutSend network Ponoko $74.61 Not provided Automated instant quoting only Available, but extra charge Not provided Shipping via Ponoko network American Laser Cutter $56.70 Standard 3–5 days; rush 1–2 Human-assisted by default Included at no cost Included (saves material) Free local pickup (by appt), local delivery in LA, USPS nationwide shipping

Key Takeaways

SendCutSend

  • Highest price for this project ($126.40)

  • Automated quoting only

  • No waste-checking

  • Human support costs extra

  • Typically longer lead times than local shops

Ponoko

  • Automated quoting only

  • No waste-checking

  • Human support costs extra

  • Mid-tier price ($74.61) and slower fulfillment on larger runs

American Laser Cutter

  • Lowest price for this project ($56.70) — $69.70 less than SendCutSend and $17.91 less than Ponoko

  • Human-assisted quoting is included at no cost

  • File waste review included (reduces material cost)

  • Free pickup (by appointment), local delivery, USPS nationwide shipping

  • Fastest turnaround (standard 3–5 business days; rush 1–2)

👉 For anyone who values accuracy, savings, and speed, American Laser Cutter is the clear winner for this project.

American Laser Cutter CAN Help You Nest Your Files

  • We can guide you to nest your files yourself (best practices, kerf-aware spacing, shared lines).

  • Or, for a small fee, we can do the nesting for you.

  • Dialed-in nesting typically saves 30–70% on material and cut time.

  • The other services don’t offer this at all

DIY “Rent a Laser Cutter” — throughput & cost breakdown (same material)

You can typically cut 2–3 sheets in one hour, depending on how quick you are.

Per-hour cut fee: $49
Material per sheet: $10.50

If you cut 2 sheets in 1 hour

  • Per-sheet cut cost: $49 ÷ 2 = $24.50

  • Per-sheet total (cut + material): $24.50 + $10.50 = $35.00

  • Hour total (2 sheets): $70.00 [cut $49 + material $21.00]

If you cut 3 sheets in 1 hour

  • Per-sheet cut cost: $49 ÷ 3 = $16.33 (rounded)

  • Per-sheet total (cut + material): $16.33 + $10.50 = $26.83 (rounded)

  • Hour total (3 sheets): $80.50 [cut $49 + material $31.50]

One-sheet reference

  • DIY (1 sheet): $49 + $10.50 = $59.50

  • American Laser Cutter (1 sheet): $56.70 (Cut $46.20 + Material $10.50)

Takeaway: DIY becomes cheaper per sheet when you complete ≥2 sheets within the hour (e.g., $35.00 each at 2 sheets, ≈$26.83 each at 3 sheets).