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, American Laser Cutter, and two anonymous local competitors.
👉 The results (same project):
American Laser Cutter: $56.70 (Cutting $46.20 + Material $10.50)
Local Competition #1: $168.00 (Cutting + Material)
Local Competition #2: $125.00 (Cutting + Material)
Ponoko: $74.61 (Cut $68.96 + File check $5.01 + Finishing $0.64)
SendCutSend: $126.40 (no itemized breakdown)
Rent our laser: $26+ (see bottom for breakdown)
American Laser Cutter was the most affordable—$69.70 less than SendCutSend (≈55% lower), $17.91 less than Ponoko (≈24% lower), and more than 2–3× lower than local competitors.
SendCutSend
Pros
Automated instant quoting system
Large material catalog (plastics, metals, composites)
Nationwide shipping
Cons
Highest pricing compared to local providers ($126.40 vs. $56.70 at ALC and $125–$168 locally)
Automated quoting doesn’t catch errors or wasted layouts
Human assistance costs extra
Longer lead times than local shops
No option to provide your own material
Price & Lead Time (this project)
Price: $126.40 (no detailed breakdown provided)
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
More expensive than ALC ($74.61 vs. $56.70)
Still cheaper than some local shops ($125–$168), but turnaround slower
Charges extra for file check/inspection services
Price & Lead Time (this project)
Price: $74.61
Cut: $68.96
File check: $5.01
Finishing: $0.64
Total: $74.61
American Laser Cutter
Pros
Human-assisted quoting by default — errors and design waste 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 significantly lower than nationals and dramatically lower than local competition
Faster turnaround times
Flexible — you can supply your own laser-safe material
Direct communication with real staff, no extra fee
Transparent pricing with itemized breakdowns
Cons
Smaller in-house material catalog compared to nationals (offset by customer-supplied stock)
Price & Lead Time (this project)
Price: $56.70 (vs. $125–$168 locally, $74.61 Ponoko, $126.40 SendCutSend)
Cutting: $46.20
Material: $10.50
Human review & waste check: $0.00
Lead time: Standard 3–5 business days ready for pickup; rush 1–2 business days
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
No option for customer-supplied material
Ponoko
Automated quoting only
No waste-checking
Human support costs extra
Mid-tier price ($74.61)
Slower fulfillment for larger runs
Extra charges for file check/inspection
American Laser Cutter
Lowest price for this project ($56.70) — $69.70 less than SendCutSend, $17.91 less than Ponoko, and more than 2–3× cheaper than local competitors ($125–$168)
Human-assisted quoting 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)
Allows customer-supplied laser-safe materials (not offered by nationals)
Local Competition
Both local competitors were significantly higher ($125–$168 cutting + material)
No file waste review, quoting method unclear
Pickup/delivery only, no nationwide shipping
Higher pricing without offering faster speed or additional support
👉 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 quickly you are.
Per-hour cut fee: $49
Material per sheet: $10.50
If you cut 2 sheets in 1 hour
Per-sheet cut cost: $24.50
Per-sheet total (cut + material): $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: $16.33 (rounded)
Per-sheet total (cut + material): $26.83 (rounded)
Hour total (3 sheets): $80.50 [cut $49 + material $31.50]
One-sheet reference
DIY (1 sheet): $59.50 (Cut $49 + Material $10.50)
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).
Additional Advantages of Choosing American Laser Cutter
1. Transparent Pricing
Competitors often hide behind lump-sum quotes or vague invoices. At American Laser Cutter, every job includes a clear breakdown (cutting, material, review). No surprises.
2. Bring Your Own Material
Nationals won’t let you use your own stock. Locals rarely encourage it. We allow you to supply laser-safe material — a direct way to cut costs further.
3. Waste Savings in Action
Our file review and nesting can reduce material use by 30–70%. Example: a project needing 3 sheets elsewhere fit onto 2 with our help — instantly saving a full sheet.
4. Faster Turnaround
SendCutSend and Ponoko ship from out of state. That means longer waits. Local shops often run slower too. We turn around projects in 3–5 business days (rush in 1–2).
5. Shipping vs. Pickup Advantage
Nationals = mandatory shipping fees. Locals = usually pickup only. We cover all bases: free local pickup (by appointment), affordable local delivery, or nationwide USPS.
6. No Minimum Orders
Nationals often require minimum spends that make small projects expensive. Local shops sometimes add setup minimums. We accept single-piece projects with no added barriers.
7. Real Human Service
SendCutSend and Ponoko charge extra to talk to a person. Local shops vary. With us, expert staff review your file automatically and communicate directly at no cost.
8. No Hidden Fees
Ponoko charges file-check fees. SendCutSend charges for revisions. Locals often tack on setup fees. At ALC, waste-checking and file review are included for free.
9. Support Local, Not Out-of-State
Every dollar spent with ALC supports a Los Angeles business. Nationals route money out of state. Local customers get the benefit of direct, invested service.
