Are lasers good additions?

We have a small contract embroidery shop with 10 heads, and we currently do very little applique. Can anyone give some feedback on lasers and whether they are a good way to expand services and improve profitility? Which small entry level lasers are the best?

I'd say that it depends upon the variety of services that you intend to provide. If embroidery is your sole focus and you don't do a lot of applique, then it may be overkill.

I provide a wide variety of services, and I use my laser for much more than cutting applique. Of course, it does a wonderful job engraving acrylics, maple etc, but I also use it for cutting rubber sandblast mask, etching photos in to granite, cutting custom wooden molds for my vacuum forming machines, making custom jigsaw puzzles, and more. I also use it to manufacture a small component for video camera lense adapters. For me, the laser has become a cornerstone in my business. So much so that I currently own 3 of them (2 Universals, and one 5'x10' Camtech).

Cheers,
Ken