Core Verdict: The 50W Fiber Laser is the Professional Choice

Detailed Breakdown: When Might You Considera 20W Laser?

1. Personalization Only:​ Adding dates, names, or small emblems to already-polished, finished monuments​ where the deep carving is done by a sandblaster or a more powerful laser. It prevents repolishing the entire surface.
2. Small, Detailed Graphics:​ For extremely intricate, artwork-like designs where minimal material removal is desired.
3. Extreme Budget Constraint:​ For a hobbyist or a very small start-up testing the waters, with the explicit understanding that its capabilities for deep, full monument work are severely limited.

Why 50W is the True Entry Point for Monument Work

• Achieves the "Monument Look":​ It can reliably engrave to a depth of 0.8mm - 1.2mm, which is the standard for durable, legible memorials that will withstand decades of weathering. The mark is crisp, white, and opaque.
• Economic Viability:​ The speed difference translates directly to labor cost savings and higher output. You can engrave a full monument inscription in a fraction of the time it would take a 20W machine.
• Future-Proofing:​ A 50W laser gives you the capacity to handle 95% of incoming monument work, from small markers to large family stones, without being the bottleneck in your production.

Recommendation: Think Beyond Specs

• For Monument Shops & Serious Fabricators:​ Invest in a 50W or higher (80W-100W is even better for pure production) fiber laser.​ It is a core tool that will pay for itself. Consider the 50W as the minimumprofessional standard.
• For Hobbyists or Artists Doing Light Work:​ If you are occasionally engraving small granite tiles or personalizing small items, a 20W canwork, but manage your expectations regarding depth and speed. Be prepared for a much longer learning curve to optimize parameters.