Anker Innovations, via its new eufyMake brand, is shaking up a technology hitherto reserved for industrial workshops with the eufyMake UV Printer E1, billed as “the first UV printer with a personal 3D texture”. Launched on Kickstarter on April 29, this printer has already raised over $44 million from more than 17,000 backers, becoming the most funded campaign in the platform’s history.
True-to-life relief
E1 combines UV ink-whichhardens instantly under ultraviolet light-with an undercoat up to 5 mm thick to create relief.
The result: the grain of wood, the texture of oil paint or the crocodile look of leather come to life on wood, metal, glass, acrylic or ceramic. An optional rotary module can even be used to print directly onto mugs or water bottles.
In practice, the head first lays down the texture, and then re-coats with conventional inks to obtain realistic colors. Prints come out dry; there’s no need for lamination or resting time, an advantage for short-run production.
Ergonomics designed with designers in mind
With a 33 x 42 cm tray capable of accommodating objects up to 50 mm thick, the E1 fits into the template of a desktop 3D printer. On its campaign, eufyMake states that it can print on a roll up to 10 meters long.
A touch screen, Wi-Fi and, above all, a camera-laser duo detect the area to be printed (smartphone shell, photo panel…), eliminating the need for manual templates.
What’s more, the printer works with software that turns any drawing into a 3D creation, thanks to AI.
A self-cleaning system also reduces the risk of clogged nozzles, the Achilles’ heel of UV pro solutions, even if cleaning does come at a price.
A game-changing price
The reason for this product’s success on Kickstarter? Its price. Where a UV flatbed printer still flirts with €20,000, or even €50,000 for large-format models, enabling very large formats to be printed, such as the 3D prints for the Canon World Unseen exhibition, this new printer is much more affordable.
The E1 “Standard” bundle is priced at $1,899 (approx. €1,620) on Kickstarter, rising to $2,499 once the campaign is over.
In fact, the first contributors could reserve it for $1,499 with just $50 down. Six inks (CMYK, white, varnish) and a starter kit are included, enough to immediately launch limited series of hulls, decorative objects or any other creative idea.
The campaign ends on June 28, 2025.
The perfect UV 3D texture printer?
On paper, this new project looks very well thought-out and defies all competition. The E1 clearly opens up UV 3D texture printing to independent designers, Etsy stores and creative studios on a tight budget. On the other hand, the cost of ink could quickly become prohibitive depending on the type of project created, which will require precise costing for designers wishing to sell their creations online.
The first deliveries are scheduled for July 2025: if the promise is confirmed, the E1 could, for makers, play the same role as the consumer drone for aerial photography: making accessible a technique hitherto reserved for professionals. A revolution to watch closely.
