I recently wrote about my predictions for makers in 2026 and where I think we will see the most growth. One of my top predictions was the rise of the consumer UV printer. Currently, there is only one commercially available option, the EufyMake E1, while Longer currently has one on Kickstarter.
xTool, one of the world’s leading laser engraving companies and winner of the best laser engraver here at CNET for several years, has announced its entry into the UV printer space, and it’s the most complete UV ecosystem I have seen so far.
A UV printer uses thin layers of UV-reactive resin to build full-color, textured prints on almost any hard surface. The addition of texture changes a flat 2D picture into something resembling an acrylic painting with thick brushstrokes.
These inks work on most hard surfaces as well, allowing you to print on wood, plastic, glass, metal and just about any other hard, flat material. xTool showcased several prints, one of which was a sheet of metal cut into the shape of the Las Vegas sign, then UV-printed with all the colors, making it really stand out.
xTool has several advantages in the world of UV printing. It already has a massive maker community that respects its devices, so it’s unlikely to need to use Kickstarter to gauge interest. It can simply sell the UV printer from it’s website direct to consumers.
It also has a lot of knowledge of how to contain hazardous materials and smells. UV printers use resin inks that are toxic if they come into contact with your skin and can have a strong odor when not properly ventilated.
xTool has some excellent extraction systems that have already been tested with large lasers, and the company is likely to offer bundles that include both the printer and extraction system.
While there is no official word on pricing, the UV printer for xTool is likely to be released in the second half of 2026. We will have a full review of it here at CNET, so stay tuned.
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