HeyGears has introduced a new desktop manufacturing system that blends full-color 3D printing with surface texturing and conventional 2D flatbed output, sidestepping the monochrome limitations that have long defined most resin and filament-based machines. The full feature set is unlocked by the G1X Full-3D Pack, priced at $3,599 for early backers on Kickstarter, where standard crowdfunding risks apply.
Three-in-one print engine
Rather than functioning solely as an additive device, the G1 platform operates as a hybrid: it builds objects layer by layer from photopolymer resin, applies detailed textures and graphics directly onto three-dimensional surfaces, and can serve as a wide-format 2D flatbed printer. The machine uses a dedicated water-soluble support material printed simultaneously with the model, eliminating the need for manual cutting or sanding and leaving behind a clean surface. A horizontal print area of 420 × 330 mm is paired with a vertical build height of just 130 mm, making the system best suited for relatively shallow parts, panels, and packaging prototypes.
Precision and printhead longevity
HeyGears quotes layer thicknesses between 10 and 20 µm, a range that enables exceptionally smooth surfaces and fine feature reproduction. Color is handled by an eight-channel ink delivery system capable of generating over 10 million distinct shades. Two printhead options are offered: the i3200-U1HD, rated for 2,100 operating hours, and the more affordable F1080, which carries a service life of roughly 700 hours. The choice has a direct impact on total cost of ownership, as operators face not only UV ink expenses—higher than standard FDM filament—but also periodic head replacements.
Built for commercial workflows
HeyGears’ own published operating-cost estimates frame the G1 squarely as a professional tool rather than a prosumer curiosity. The system’s ability to embed full-color graphics directly into resin parts, without post-processing paint or decals, targets studios and manufacturers that need realistic appearance prototypes, personalized goods, or short-run production pieces delivered in a single workflow.
