If you thought the desktop 3D printing market had already peaked, think again. On August 20, 2025, Snapmaker launched its latest innovation — the Snapmaker U1, a four-extruder multicolor 3D printer — on Kickstarter.
What followed was nothing short of historic: in less than 24 hours, backers pledged over $7 million USD, briefly crashing Kickstarter under the sheer weight of global demand.
This wasn’t just another product launch. It was a crowdfunding phenomenon that showed how hungry makers still are for bold, next-gen tools.
Snapmaker U1 Kickstarter Success Story
The numbers tell the story:
- 12 minutes → $2M USD
- 30 minutes → $2.9M USD
- 4 hours → $4.8M USD
- One night → $7M+ USD pledged
Excited backers took to social media with reactions ranging from “Lucky to snag an early-bird before it sold out” to “Never seen Kickstarter crash this hard before.”
Clearly, the Snapmaker U1 has tapped into something powerful.
🏆 Snapmaker’s Proven Crowdfunding Legacy
This isn’t Snapmaker’s first blockbuster Kickstarter. Since its founding in 2017, the Shenzhen-based company has built a reputation for modular, affordable, and versatile desktop fabrication tools.
- The original Snapmaker 3-in-1 (3D printing, CNC carving, and laser engraving) wowed early adopters with a $300 starting price.
- In 2020, the Snapmaker 2.0 raised $7.85M from over 7,000 backers — one of the most successful tech campaigns in crowdfunding history.
With the U1, Snapmaker is not only expanding its lineup but also reconnecting with the passionate community that fueled its rise.
What Makes the Snapmaker U1 Different?
At its core, the Snapmaker U1 is about speed, precision, and multicolor freedom. Here’s what sets it apart:
High-Speed CoreXY System
- Max print speed: 300 mm/s
- Acceleration: 20,000 mm/s²
- Travel speed: 500 mm/s
- Fixed print bed = less vibration, more accuracy
Compared with traditional Cartesian printers, the CoreXY motion system distributes movement more efficiently, enabling faster, smoother, and more stable prints.
SnapSwap Intelligent Tool-Changing
This is where the U1 truly shines. Instead of relying on purge towers (which waste time and filament), Snapmaker developed SnapSwap — a mechanical tool-changing system with four dedicated print heads.
- Tool change in just 5 seconds
- Reduces material waste by 80%
- Delivers up to 5× faster multicolor printing
Each print head is optimized for a specific material or color, so users can switch seamlessly without the hassle of cleaning nozzles or worrying about contamination.
Smarter Multi-Material Printing
The U1’s setup allows you to combine:
- Flexible textures (TPU)
- Rigid parts (PLA/ABS)
- Functional supports (PVA, HIPS)
…all in a single job. The result? Complex, colorful, and functional models without the limitations of dual-nozzle systems.
💰 Price & Early-Bird Deals
- Retail Price: $999 USD
- Kickstarter Early-Bird: $749 USD
No surprise that these early-bird slots were among the first rewards to sell out.
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
While brands like Bambu Lab and Creality have pushed speed and usability in recent years, few have tackled true multicolor and multi-material printing at this scale.
Snapmaker’s U1 enters the ring as a serious contender for makers who want more than just speed — they want versatility and creative freedom.
Final Thoughts
The Snapmaker U1 Kickstarter campaign is more than a product launch. It’s proof that desktop 3D printing still has room to surprise and inspire. With its combination of CoreXY speed, SnapSwap tool-changing, and multicolor capability, the U1 feels like a dream machine for makers.
If this early momentum is anything to go by, the Snapmaker U1 could set a new standard for the next generation of desktop 3D printers.
👉 Curious? You can check out the live campaign on Kickstarter before the early-bird deals disappear.
FAQ Section
1. What is the Snapmaker U1?
The Snapmaker U1 is a four-extruder multicolor 3D printer launched on Kickstarter in August 2025. It features a CoreXY system and SnapSwap tool-changing for faster, cleaner multi-material printing.
2. How much does the Snapmaker U1 cost?
The retail price is $999 USD. Kickstarter backers can get the U1 at an early-bird price of $749 USD, while supplies last.
3. What makes the Snapmaker U1 different from other 3D printers?
Unlike traditional dual-extruder printers, the U1 uses Snapmaker’s SnapSwap system with four dedicated print heads. This reduces material waste by 80% and enables up to 5× faster multicolor printing.
4. How fast can the Snapmaker U1 print?
Thanks to its CoreXY motion system, the U1 achieves speeds up to 300 mm/s with acceleration of 20,000 mm/s² and travel speeds of 500 mm/s.
5. How does the Snapmaker U1 compare to competitors?
While competitors like Bambu Lab and Creality focus on speed and ease of use, Snapmaker U1 combines high speed with true multicolor and multi-material printing, making it unique in its category.
