Formlabs, a major 3D printer maker whose customers are mostly businesses, has announced its first consumer-focused device. The Form Studio 1 sells for $699, a sharp drop from the company's previous affordable model at $2,300. According to WIRED's hands-on report, the printer is compact enough for a desk, though the optional wash-and-cure unit adds another $199 and a similar footprint.
The printer uses SLA resin, which hardens under ultraviolet light, and accepts both Formlabs-branded resins and third-party materials. Formlabs' chief product officer, David Lakatos, says users can even run cheaper, potentially toxic resins, though the company recommends against it. Formlabs' own Alpha resins are UL GreenGuard-certified when used with a Formlabs VOC extractor, and the printer is described as relatively quiet and low-odor.
WIRED's initial testing found the setup straightforward and prints clean, with a 17-minute job producing a clear cover without issues. Formlabs claims an internal failure rate of about 2 percent, which would be a notable improvement over competitors if it holds in real-world use. The company also offers a mobile app for controlling prints and sending designs.
The launch marks a strategic push into the consumer market for a company with nearly 200,000 printers already in service. Whether the total cost of ownership—including accessories and resin—will truly appeal to casual users remains to be seen, but the price point and ease of use suggest Formlabs is betting on a broader audience than its usual professional base.