Longer Is Hot On eufyMake’s Tail

When I reviewed the eufyMake E1 earlier this year, I made it clear that I think the machine is revolutionary for bringing DTO (Direct-to-Object) UV printing to hobbyists. I also said that it is inevitable that other companies will attempt to replicate that — after all, the eufyMake E1 Kickstarter campaign raised almost $47M (the most of any crowdfunding campaign in history). Well, I was right. Longer aims to be the first to catch up and will soon release their own DTO UV printer called the ePrint.

Longer is mostly known for their 3D printers and laser engravers. Their machines have never been particularly compelling, but Longer has managed to stay in business by selling those machines at low prices. The upcoming ePrint UV printer may finally push Longer into a higher tier in the perception of the hobbyist community.

Like the eufyMake E1, the Longer ePrint is a DTO UV printer that can print in full color onto pretty much any material. Also like the E1, the ePrint will be able to print 3D textures — a feature that even most small business and industrial UV DTO printers lack.

There are three big factors that Longer hopes will set the ePrint apart from eufyMake and the E1. First, it will be more affordable. The ePrint SE will start at $1,299 for VIPs (early backers who place deposits) and the ePrint will start at $1,699 for VIPs.

The second big advantage is the ePrint’s dual printhead design. The ePrint SE only has a single printhead, but the ePrint has two and that should speed up print jobs.

The third is that Longer has ditched the whole proprietary ink thing, which is the biggest drawback of the eufyMake E1. Users will be able to purchase any UV printer ink they like in big, inexpensive bottles. That should result in truly substantial savings, as eufyMake’s ink cartridges are quite expensive.

The Longer E1 will launch on Kickstarter soon (date TBD). But in the meantime, you can pay $50 to reserve a printer on the Longer website. Then, when you back the Kickstarter campaign, you will receive a $250 refund. So, you’re saving $200 by reserving now.

I will try to get a Longer E1 UV printer to review and compare to the eufyMake E1, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.