The desktop fabrication industry is thriving, but is currently dependent on the right machine for the right job. Procolored X one is designed to give this perspective a new angle. This 3-in-1 maker machine combines full-color UV printing, laser engraving, and cutting capabilities – three traditionally independent production techniques – into a single desktop device, making it a must-have for every professional and DIYer.
This seamless production system, according to the company, is envisioned as an alternative to the need for multiple machines. In addition to simplifying the processes with a single device, it also reduces the time required to transform a digital design into a finished product and involves nearly no manual intervention. Hobbyists and Etsy sellers, are you listening? This can really help increase your production efficiency.
Procolored launched the X one via a Kickstarter campaign on May 20. The hybrid desktop device is already appealing to a wide range of makers. The campaign has amassed over $851,000 in pledges (at the time of writing), with almost 30 days still to go. This love from the backers is an assurance that the X one is being seen as a dependable option for the pain point of juggling between machines experienced by many creators and niche manufacturers.
Laser engravers and laser cutting machines have unified with time, but full-color UV printers remain a separate category, one because of the cost involved, and two because of the large size of the equipment. Procolored, however, has been able to “integrate UV-curable inkjet printing with laser precision processing” in the X one, which definitely has a learning curve.
“For new users, there may be a learning curve when working with multi-functional workflows,” the company mentions. However, it informs that, “it’s preparing detailed guides, tutorials, and customer support resources to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.”
As a professional, you may not be too worried, but as a hobbyist or a small business, if you are switching from multiple specialized machines to a device like this, you will need help starting with engraving, cutting, positioning, and printing on one compact machine.
Producing laser-engraved, colored items generally requires several separate steps. Creators have to do the printing, laser engraving and personalization, and cutting in at least two, or in many cases, three different production equipment. This is cumbersome, involves material wastage, and requires a lot of manual input. With the X one, UV printing, laser engraving, and UV DTF sticker production can be done in one system.
According to Procolored, the X one can create detailed prints at up to 1440 DPI resolution with support for white ink and gloss varnish. It can work with more than 400 different materials: flat, curved, or textured, without requiring any pre-coating, has a touchscreen interface for controls, and, for reference, can complete an A3-sized UV print within a few minutes (depending on factors like the print mode, the material type, etc., the company notes.
This allows the machine to make the design process simpler to manage and the creation easier to execute. The X one allows the makers to turn a design into a customized finished product without switching machines or having to reposition the materials or repeat a setup task. This can be useful for small businesses producing customized gifts, decorative items, and for DIYers making customized accessories.
