These days, the fact that there are so many laser marking machines from so many different brands readily available on the market can be something of a blessing and curse at the same time. From one perspective, it’s of course advantageous thatquality standards in general have never been higher, value for money has never been greater and access to the most incredible technology the industry has ever seen is pretty much total. But at the same time, this kind of breadth of choice can make it difficult to know where to start – especially in the instance of a business looking to make the switch to laser engraving technology for the first time.
What’s important to remember is that in this instance, just as is the case in largely every other industry and sector across the board, all manufacturers and the products therefrom are by no means cut from the same cloth. Laser engraving technology maybe comparatively new, but it has also evolved and developed extraordinarily quickly over recent years. As such, there’s a quite massive difference in terms of performance, consistency and efficiency when comparing the machines of a decade or two ago to those of today. And that’s exactly why it’s important to be proactive when it comes to choosing the very best machines for your business.
Here’s a quick rundown of the key considerations to bear in mind before going ahead with a purchase:
Manufacturer
Unsurprisingly, it’s comparatively rare in an area as niche as this to come across a brand/manufacturer that isn’t above board. It’s not as if anyone wishing to do so can nip out to their garden shed, whip up a few laser engraving machines and sell them on eBay, after all. That being said however, the differences in quality from one manufacturer to the next are often night and day. Just as there will always be industry leaders, there will also be those who aren’t quite on the same level. As such, it’s a good idea to do a little research before going ahead in order to ensure that the brand or manufacturer you are interested in is indeed right up there with the industry’s best.
Domestic or Foreign
It should also come as no surprise to learn that along with a thousand and one options for purchasing this kind of technology domestically, there are in fact even more options for buying it from overseas. On any scale, for any purpose and across every imaginable sector, there’s literally nothing that cannot be ordered-in from the Far East with what appear to be the most spectacularly low prices on offer. Of course there’s really no knocking the fact that foreign machinery orders can be cheaper in the first instance, but it’s crucially important to remember that manufacturing quality standards outside the UK are NOT covered by UK quality legislation and law. Or in other words, to seek savings by ordering from overseas can see you supplied with a machine that simply isn’t fit for purpose.
Buying Direct
Something else that should also be considered before going ahead is the rather important matter of whether you’re buying direct, or from something of a reseller or middleman. Now, some would argue that just as long as you get the machine you want at a price you’re happy with, exactly how and where it is purchased really don’t matter. In reality however, buying direct comes with a series of unique advantages the likes of which are too valuable to overlook. To buy direct is to not only benefit from the lowest possible prices, but also the kind of outstanding customer service and advice that can only be sourced from the manufacturing source itself. From faster turnaround times to the latest technology and on-going assistance with everything from servicing to upgrades, buying direct really is always the best way to go.
Tailored Solutions
Last but not least, there’s a big difference between the kind of laser engraving machine manufacturer who specialises in ‘off the rack’ products and those who specialise in creating bespoke, tailored solutions for their clients on a one by one basis. The simple fact of the matter is that the needs of any two businesses will never be identical, which in turn means that the ideal laser marking solution will likewise differ from one brand or business to the next. So in order to ensure that the solution you are provided with meets the needs of the business with 100% flawless precision, it pays to work with those who specialise in bespoke solutions.
