The Evolution of X one : Why we rebuilt the UV, Laser & UV-DTF all-in-one experience
For years, bringing a multi-layered design to life meant juggling three machines — a UV printer, a laser engraver, and a separate UV-DTF setup. We realized it was time to build a system that works the way creators actually think.
Phase 1: Idea of X one
The idea for the X one was born from the true voices of thousands of real customers. Key, our co-founder and a UV expert with over 10 years of specialization, brought his deep insight directly to the source—immersing himself in forums, Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and YouTube comment sections to understand the raw experiences of creators juggling separate UV printers and laser engravers.
As a Co-founder who has led Procolored to become a pioneer in the desktop UV printer market since 2018, earning the trust of over 150,000 users worldwide, Key should have felt a sense of accomplishment. But for a relentless innovator who is always chasing the 'next big thing', standing still was never an option.
He remained deeply embedded in the creator community, and it was through these ongoing conversations that he uncovered a truth the rest of the industry was ignoring: Laser creators were constantly striving to find ways to graft full-color onto their engravings to fully realize the potential of their crafts and ideas.
But the only solutions available were to do it manually or to buy a second UV machine. That’s when an "integrated idea" came to Key’s mind: Why not create an all-in-one machine that combines UV full-color printing and laser engraving into one?
Phase 2: The Research—Digging into the "Invisible" Trenches
When the "all-in-one" concept was born, a wave of excitement swept through the team. Key immediately mobilized R&D and marketing departments to conduct deeper, more comprehensive research.
While the marketing team conducted extensive one-on-one surveys to build a reliable data foundation, the R&D team dove back into the trenches of forums and creator groups to uncover the hidden technical friction.
The signals from the market were overwhelming: 98% of creators expressed an eager desire for an integrated machine. However, beneath this excitement, our research revealed deep-seated anxieties and technical bottlenecks:
The Smelly, Tedious Pre-coating Process:
We’ve listened to countless creators who are simply exhausted by the "chemical trial-and-error" of traditional UV primers. As ProColorGraphics once shared: "Ink and cleaner smells don't normally bother me, but the adhesion promoter he used was bad." While some "low-odor" promoters have emerged recently, they merely mask the issue rather than solving it.
For beginners, mastering adhesion across different materials wasn’t just an extra step—it was a daunting learning curve.
We saw the same recurring plea in every expert’s comment section: "Which primer do you actually recommend?"
For many, this technical barrier was the wall where great ideas went to die, leaving brilliant concepts stuck on the drawing board. Between the smell, the mess, and the guesswork of choosing the right promoter, pre-coating had become the single biggest frustration standing in the way of every UV printer user.
The Manual Alignment Frustration:
We felt the "pain in the rear" of creators struggling with manual alignment. As one user put it, using crosshairs often led to being "always off by half a millimeter," turning expensive materials into wasted scrap in a matter of seconds.
The Printhead Clog Anxiety:
A major concern loomed over the "all-in-one" dream: the high risk of laser dust clogging and destroying delicate UV print heads—a collision of two technologies that seemed, on the surface, incompatible.
Beyond these, users voiced clear demands for the future: the machine had to be compact, aesthetically high-end, affordable for small businesses, and intelligent enough to eliminate a steep learning curve. It became clear: to build the X one, we weren’t just merging two tools; we were rescuing creators from a broken, exhausting workflow.
Phase 3: The Breakthrough — Overcoming the "Impossible"
(2024-2025)
Empowered by strong market demand and Key’s passion for innovation, our team embarked on a challenging but determined journey. We addressed every user pain point one by one, turning "bugs" into core "features":
Zero-Error Camera Auto Precision:
To solve the frustration of manual alignment, we replaced traditional crosshair methods with a high-precision Camera Vision Positioning System. By giving the machine a set of "eyes," we achieved zero-error alignment, ensuring colors land exactly where the engraving begins. Say goodbye to wasted material caused by misalignment.
A New Era of Laser Pre-treatment:
We harnessed laser technology to perform surface pre-treatment, effectively eliminating the need for traditional, odorous UV primers. Users no longer have to struggle with toxic smells or trial-and-error with different primer brands; color now adheres firmly and directly to the material.
X-Axis Dual-Track design:
Laser on, UV off. No dust pollution, no printhead clog. To shield expensive nozzles from laser debris, we engineered a unique X-Axis Dual-Track design. When the laser is active, the UV print head remains in a physically isolated, powered-down state. This independent spatial design eliminates the risk of dust clogging, a long-standing industry headache.
Instant Roll-to-Roll UV DTF Stickers:
We’ve pushed the boundaries even further by integrating a Roll-to-Roll UV DTF function directly into the X one. Now, you can create high-quality UV DTF stickers with ease—no extra machine, no lamination needed, no creation limits. This seamless integration means your UV DTF stickers come out production-ready. Peel. Stick. Done. — anywhere, on anything.
Beyond performance, we’ve redefined the user experience through a compact, space-efficient footprint and a "Timeless Professional" aesthetic. This sophistication is matched by a revolutionary internal design—integrating complex industrial components into a single, stable system that minimizes assembly and ensures a near-zero learning curve.
Every interaction is streamlined by an intuitive smart control panel, simplifying your workflow from the first touch. Even our packaging has been refined through countless iterations, ensuring that the unboxing experience is as elegant as it is effortless. At every step, our goal remains the same: to create a product that empowers the user through seamless convenience at a price they can afford.
Phase 4: The Revolution-X One is born
The birth of the X one is a testament to the perseverance of every team member. Throughout the long R&D cycle, we didn't just overcome technical hurdles; we had to overcome the moments of self-doubt after repeated failures. Driven by a passion for technology and a spirit of craftsmanship, Key led the team to turn this disruptive vision into a reality.
The X one is finally here—the world’s first 3-in-1 production system that seamlessly combines UV printing, laser engraving, and UV-DTF sticker-making in a single desktop machine. We understand that for small business owners, ROI and the chance of success are everything. Inspired by our mission to lower the threshold for entrepreneurship, the Procolored X one is more than a technical fusion—it’s a gateway to opportunity.
We’ve combined industrial-grade reliability with a friendly, intuitive experience so you can focus on building your business. From vivid color to precise engraving to limitless sticker creativity, we provide the technology—you bring the vision to life and turn it into profit. It’s time to redefine your desktop.
Update: X one is now officially live on Kickstarter, with three launch bundles at up to 54% off projected retail. See the launch details and pricing.
