GlowForge Pro Laser Printer

This is a gamechanger for disabled artists, makers and crafters. If your disability has been in the way of your art or small business, this could be the equipment you've been waiting for.

The precision of the engraving and cuts is beautiful. Tiny fonts, ultra fine lines, and highly detailed artwork come out perfectly. I had fonts at FIVE px, as small as really readable and they came out crisp and clear and so thin.

It took about an hour to unpack, set it up and to start cutting the first test project, a paper cube which was perfect and fun at the same time.

Setting it up took two people. It's heavy and delicate (absolutely NOT a one person job) and it needs a good solid surface that's level AND near an outlet as well as a window for venting if you're not using the filter which I HIGHLY suggest you do, especially if you have any type of issues with smells.

The other consideration is the pass through slot - it needs clear space front and back to pass material through.

After a lot of research I settled on a Husky adjustable height wheeled worktable with drawers. This lets me raise it up for storage leaving room below for the filter and lower it when it's in use - that way I can watch it directly from my wheelchair while it's cutting.

It's perfectly safe to do that and in fact it's a safety thing as you should NEVER leave the laser while it's operating. While it's a safe technology, the fact is, it's a laser and it's hot and it's not the machine that catches fire, it's the material in it - the paper masking rising up or flareups from the material.

If you do need to leave the room for a minute, just pause the machine and resume when you return.

It's fairly quiet to run. The filter is louder than the laser, and as it has adjustable speed, the volume levels are higher or lower based on that. You can hear it in the review video. I kept the volume and speed as it was recorded so you can get a good idea of that aspect of it.

It's very simple to operate. I went from turning it on to printing the first project in just a few minutes. It was literally open the app (you have to be connected to the internet to use the machine), verify my internet settings, choose the file, choose Paper as the material, and click print. That's the process for all the files - and if you get lost, there's live chat right in the control panel so you can speak with other people in real time.

The app has an impressive library of files that you can use right away and some editing tools that are advanced enough for most projects. You can also import more complicated files from other sites or your own with the premium version. The basic app is free and is required to run the machine. As of this review, the pro version cost $50 per month.

Glowforge sent a box of their certified supplies which are specifically labeled for use in the Glowforge line. The laser reads the QR code and provides the optimal settings automatically but you can use any other laser safe materials that fit the bed and depth of the Pro. The benefit to these materials is they're ready to use and you don't need to set up custom settings - which is easy to do in the app.

I used it up in a week trying all sorts of things - signs, little buildings, some super fun garden spinners and a medieval style baby book that was so much fun!

Obviously as an instant expert I tried my hand at a few other things, and actually designed a project and the file in the first three days. I tested the file using cardboard from my stash on the cardboard settings in the app with zero cost as it was scrap. So - prototyping? Yes.

There are a few other things you'll need - a fire extinguisher and calipers. I chose an Amerex A384T - 1.4 lb Halotron Fire Extinguisher which is for electronics. Your regular ABC will work but it will also wet your laser and wreck it. It was $215. The calipers I got from Ace Hardware for $50. You need these and a thickness gauge to measure the thickness of whatever you're using in the machine because it could be slightly thicker than the stated dimensions and if it is, any slots you have may need to be edited. You can print one right from the Glowforge app as well.

Why I like it for disabled people - if you can design it on your computer, you likely can output it with this, if you're reading this, you already have the internet requirement met. It's literally upload a file, set the machine to the material and the process - cutting, scoring, engraving (differentiated by color) and press start.

Practically unending opportunities - I've seen cutting boards, signs, clocks, wall art, engraved slate coasters and panels, jewelry of all kinds, gifts, engagement and party invitations, toys, kits, team swag, purses and bags, awards, ornaments, pet tags, so many things to make and if you need inspiration, Glowforge has a super fun youtube channel with great project ideas.

There are also numerous groups online with varying focuses who all have extensive resources, from where to buy files, to sales opportunities, classes galore - I took two myself while I was waiting for some additional supplies to arrive.

There are two things to know - this laser does not cut or engrave metal and does not have a rotary attachment so round things, mugs or bottles etc. are not going to work in this.

Overall the desktop size, the simple use flow, the GlowForge app and the pass-through make this a fun machine that you can get results from right away.

The wi-fi requirement is also something to keep in mind as if you don't have internet access to log in to the app, the machine wont work.