Sorry for the bulk response, but...
My advice to Bret was the same as Tim's, own everything, don't borrow to do this.
Bret has his day job so I am assuming this is a disposable attempt. If it works, great, if it doesn't at least he tried and it has cost him something for the school fees. Maybe re-read that article on entrepreneurs bouncing back that I posted in an earlier reply.
Yes, $48K is a lot of overhead before you burn anything. But, comparing traffic patterns for a 2,300sq ft building on an industrial estate and 5,000 (or whatever) people passing the booth daily in a Mall is not a reasonable comparison. Also Bret will have a good idea of what works well before he has spent the full annual charge. If he can get the 90-day lease then that would be under 10-grand. Given the current business climate I would be amazed if he can't haggle a great deal on the kiosk.
OK, so no one has done many cell phones or ipods, but that is because you never tried to build the demand. That is what I am talking about when I say my approach is to develop a need then sell that rather than waiting for someone to ask you to do something.
So here I give you an edge by exposing one of my methods for free. I got an ipod and burned a radical looking piece of Dungeons and Dragons type artwork on it. I took it to the local net-cafe's after 7:00pm when they were full of kids.
For the first net-cafe I went to, I offered to do the first 5 free. I walked out with 5 ipods and next day I delivered. Two days later there were 12 ipods to pick up. The rest is, as they say, history with probably 100+ ipods done. Oh, and I sold that first ipod that same day. I have never used one and have no need for one, it was merely a vehicle to deliver the product.
OK, guys I will bow out of this conversation as it seems we are never going to agree. I believe I use an entrepreneur's approach rather than satisfying a demand because I create a need or want. Learn, don't learn, follow, don't follow, up to the individual.
All I was trying to impart to Bret was, if you think it will work, it doesn't take bread off the table and money is the only thing to lose then give it your best shot. Only Bret can make that decision whether to risk the cash or not.
I am not so sure about the "while you wait," approach as that puts a lot of pressure on the Corel/Laser user, but certainly a 1-day turn around seems to work. Set it all up on a laptop in the Mall and at home and then go into the Mall as early as you can get through the doors and start burning yesterday's orders. Quit sleeping if you have to.
Oh, and Bret, if you do go ahead with this when you set up the laser consider setting up two angled overhead mirrors at about eye level so that people passing can see what's happening inside the laser. The flashing laser will be like a free neon sign.
Finally for the Cermark thing, use the tape instead of spraying. Warning: I have never used the tape.
Just my 2c worth.