Shop Manager · 5 minute guide
Shop Manager: Quotes, Proposals & Work Orders
Run your laser shop in one place. Price a job from your own rates, send the client a proposal to view and accept online, and track the build on a work order board.
By Scott Bedow, Founder & Lead Developer · Published July 4, 2026 · Updated October 15, 2026
Manufacturing manager who runs CO2, diode and MOPA fiber lasers; builds and maintains every Reticle Red tool.
Method — Walked end to end in the live tool before publishing. Screens and step order match the current build; settings shown are starting points to validate on scrap.
What this tutorial covers
- Price a job from your own material and shop rates in Quick Price.
- Send a proposal as a PDF or a client link the client can accept online.
- Track each build from Planning to Completed on the Work Orders board.
1. Set up your library
Open Shop Settings and load the starter library of common materials and shop operations, then edit the prices to match your costs. Add your business name and logo so they print on every proposal.
2. Price the job
Add the client in Client CRM. In Quick Price, pick the material, enter the size and add the setup and machine time in hours, then run the pricing engine. Convert to Formal Quote carries every line into a proposal.
3. Send the proposal and track the build
Finalize the proposal, then export the PDF or copy the client link. The client can view it, accept it with a typed signature or ask for changes, and an accepted proposal locks its price. Open a work order, add tasks and drag the card through each stage.
Validate the workflow on your machine
Treat the finished file as a controlled starting point, not a universal machine recipe. Confirm the artwork dimensions after import, verify focus and lens selection, and run a small test on scrap from the same material batch before committing the production piece. Change one variable at a time when tuning speed, power, frequency, line interval, or pass count. Record the machine, source wattage, lens, material finish, focus method, and final settings with the saved job. That short production note makes the result repeatable for the next operator and prevents a strong screen preview from being mistaken for a proven burn.