Just because the tags are 1" x 3" doesn't mean you need a small machine. You need to understand exactly how it works. The head moves down about .005" of an inch each stroke. So it's moving say, 1/2" down. You can do one in about 20 seconds or you can do 8 of them in a row in about 30 seconds. You really gain a lot buy doing them in a batch rather than 1 at a time. That's where you make your money. You quote as a one off and run as a batch.
Epilog has a small machine called a "Zing" and Universal has a small machine called the "Versalaser". Both will fit on a desktop and you're in the $10,000 range for either. The Versalaser has been out for years and is proven, the Zing just came out last year and it's been fairly quiet on reviews from real owners.
There are a lot of people in Ohio with lasers. You could easily sub out some time, even if that meant you going there and running them if needed.
One more thing, the CO2 lasers will not mark metal without using a marking compound that has to be brushed on or sprayed on, so before you bid the job, make sure you know how to produce the mark you need. A YAG laser will mark metal, but you won't touch one of those for $10,000. Is it brass, stainless? Why type of mark does it need to be?
