The technology of laser beam cladding of metals by single-step powder delivery is analyzed with a process model which is based on balance equations of energy and mass. Effects like powder heating, clad layer formation, substrate dilution and overlapping of tracks are discussed in dependence of the process parameters. In particular, the powder catchment efficiency and the beam energy redistribution in the material can be optimized by the powder mass flow rate and by the geometrical properties of the beam and of the powder jet.