Makers Will Have Better Tools and Tech in 2026, and I Couldn't Be More Excited

I can't predict the future, but I know that 2026 is going to be a great year for all makers, especially in the realm of 3D printing. How do I know? I've been reviewing 3D printers and maker tools for nearly a decade. Crafting technology is becoming increasingly mainstream with each passing day, opening up new realms of possibilities for makers, digital fabricators, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. Over the years, I've seen a lot of trends lasting and growing to new heights, while others burn away as quickly as they arrive. Of course, with each bright step toward more accessible creative technology, there's bound to be some dark spots (you probably can guess what I'm going to say here). If you're part of the maker community, here's my list of predictions for what we'll see in the coming year and what tech will have the most impact. UV printers are going to be huge I managed to print over 100 different products on the E1 UV printer. Early in 2025, EufyMake announced a Kickstarter for a UV printer that was mind-blowing. The E1 allows you to print colored and textured ink onto just about any hard surface. It was immediately one of the most funded Kickstarters of all time. UV printing is a digital process that uses thin layers of white paint, dried very quickly with ultraviolet light, to build up texture. This allows you to print durable, high-detail designs and vibrant colors on non-traditional surfaces. Essentially, it involves creating a textured 2D image with small amounts of 3D texture on any hard surface, such as wood, plastic, metal or glass. While reviewing it, I fell in love with the sheer number of products that could be produced from one machine. Since then, the company has had some issues, a lot of which are due to the nature of having an overly successful Kickstarter, but the full retail product should be available in 2026. EufyMake is just the beginning, though. This year, we're going to see a lot of other companies jump into UV printing and push the technology forward. We might even see a small, consumer version of the Mimaki 3D printer that uses the same technology to make full-color 3D models. Etsy is about to become inundated with UV-printed artwork, for better or worse. Accessible color 3D printing This simple little printer can print four colors easily. The Bambu Lab A1 Combo has been my best 3D printer for all of 2025, and for good reason. It's cheap, works great, and is easy to set up and use. Now, though, we are seeing new printers that can match, if not surpass, the A1 in terms of speed, quality and price. The AD5X from Flashforge is a good example of this, as is the newly announced Elegoo Carbon 2. Both are CoreXY printers that feature color systems built in, and both are in that $300 - $500 price range that's good for just about anyone. We will see more...

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