My social media algorithm has done its job this week and brought the HeyGears G1X onto my radar. This is a brand new 3-in-1 desktop machine capable of full-colour, volumetric 3D printing, as well as raised 3D-texture printing, and flat 2D UV printing on pretty much any surface, in one singular enclosure.
Why is this a big deal? It's the first machine of its kind on the market that packs in high-quality colour 3D printing with the power of UV, for results that you won't be able to replicate using a regular FDM or resin 3D printer. It can print on over 400 materials, including glass, metal, wood, canvas, and acrylic.
The HeyGears G1X has passed over $10 million in funding on Kickstarter at the time of writing, which isn't quite as mega as the record-breaking $40 million that the eufyMake E1 managed to raise, but still extremely impressive (and not surprising). Expect
In plain English, the HeyGears G1X desktop machine can print incredibly detailed 3D models, print beautiful high-quality images onto flat surfaces like coasters, and also has the option for texture relief printing to raise the image out of its surface by up to 5mm. It can be used for DTF (fabric) printing too, by using water-based ink sets developed specifically for textile printing.
All-in-one workflows like the HeyGears G1X are becoming increasingly popular in the maker space. xTool's latest O1 Omni Printer combines UV with DTF capabilities, while the xTool WonderPress brings a mini merchandise factory into home studios.
So who is it for? With MSRP prices expected between $5,000-$5,500 after the Kickstarter stage, the G1X is definitely not a machine for the average consumer, but would be a phenomenal asset for creative businesses, merchandisers, toy designers, gaming creators, and premium design studios who can justify a $4k+ investment.
We're seeing competitors like the Morphy desktop UV printer and eufyMake E1 with much lower price tags in the $2,000+ range, but they don't offer the same impressive 3D printing capabilities as the HeyGears G1X, at least from what I've been able to research.
Some of the example projects we've seen so far from the HeyGears G1X look out of this world, and it's hard to believe that they were created using a non-industrial desktop machine. This is thanks to the Epson i3200-U1HD printhead, equipped inside the G1X, which utilises a UV-curable ink system to produce millions of unique high-fidelity colours.
For creatives with 3D printers, this eliminates needing to amass each spool colour individually, while for resin printing, it has the potential to replace the process of hand-painting and sanding intricate models entirely. With the HeyGears G1X, photorealistic 3D models are coated in a water-soluble bubble of supports, for maximum quality and improved safety compared with the toxicity that can be involved with typical resin 3D printing and post-processing.
Would you spend $4,500+ for advanced 3D and UV texture printing? If so, perhaps take a look at the Kickstarter page for the HeyGears G1X desktop machine for up to 38% off deluxe bundles before the machine becomes available to the wider public.
If you want to get in on the hype with these pro-crafting machines, take a look at our top picks of the best laser cutters and engravers, as well as the best laminators for home DIY projects. For a much more budget-friendly entry point into home crafting or side hustling, check out some of the best Cricut Machines for easy money-making.
