Snapmaker 2025 Recap
2025 was a defining year for Snapmaker.
From our record breaking U1 Kickstarter, to launching Snapmaker Orca (Beta), to our new line of filaments, to strengthening industry partnerships, to meeting our community around the world, this year marked a clear step forward in our mission:
Make Something Wonderful
Here’s a look back at the moments that shaped Snapmaker in 2025.
U1: A New Chapter in Snapmaker’s Story
Introducing Snapmaker U1: Make Something Colorful
Mid-year, we unveiled U1 - our next generation toolchanging 3D Printer. Built around the SnapSwap™ system, U1 rethinks multi-color and multi-material printing by eliminating long purge cycles and enabling faster, cleaner, more efficient prints.
Kickstarter: Making History Again
The U1 Kickstarter campaign exceeded our wildest expectations and became the 3rd most-funded Kickstarter ever, the second largest technology product, and the biggest 3D Printer launch in Kickstarter history.
We came away with $20,614,548 USD from 20,680 backers by the end of the campaign.
But more importantly than numbers, the campaign reaffirmed something we deeply value: a global community that believes in Snapmaker’s vision and grows with us.
From The Factory to Doorstep
In the second half of the year, U1 entered mass production and delivery began worldwide. Like any ambitious hardware project, this phase required transparency, communication, and close coordination - and we’re grateful to our community for navigating this journey with us.
Community Comes First
Before mass production, 19 regular people from the Snapmaker community joined our Test Pilot Program, putting early U1 units through real-world workflows. Their feedback directly influenced:
- Hardware refinements
- Firmware tuning
- Software and usability improvements
This collaboration ensured U1 was shaped not just by engineers, but by real users who rely on their machines every day.
Just check out some of the incredible videos our Beta Testers put together to share their experiences!
Expanding the Snapmaker Ecosystem
Snapmaker Orca (Beta)
At the beginning of the year, we announced Snapmaker Orca (Beta) V1.1.0, our open-source slicer project based on OrcaSlicer. Snapmaker Orca represents our long-term software vision:
- Deep optimization for Snapmaker machines
- Active contribution back to the open-source community
- A future roadmap that supports broader machine compatibility
And while "Snorca" gets you the latest updates a little bit faster, we ship everything back to the main fork of OrcaSlicer, giving you the power to choose.
Snorca is undergoing rapid iteration, and we can't wait to show you what's next!
The Snapmaker App
The launch of our app represents a major step forward for the Snapmaker ecosystem, with new functionality and improvments rolling out all the time.
New Filaments: SnapSpeed & Matte PLA
We also expanded our materials lineup with two new filament families:
- SnapSpeed PLA, designed for high-speed printing
- Matte PLA offering refined surface finishes and reduced layer visibility
Together, these materials help creators fully unlock the performance of modern high-speed printers while achieving professional-looking results.
Journey to the Real World
So much of our lives take place on the internet, from the darkness of doomscrolling to the joy of sharing your latest creation on Discord, to the mundanity of filing your taxes.
That's why it's so important to log off and meet the people where they're at. It reminds us why we do what we do, it lets us connect, and it brings a special balance to our lives. As makers, our hobby is taking the virtual and making it physical - and that's exactly what we do when we go to real world events.
In 2025, Snapmaker showed up.
RAPID + TCT @Detroit
Our Marketing Manager Blayne went on a journey to Motor City, making new connections, meeting old friends, and giving away a Snapmaker A250 to a longtime super fan!
Printed World Conference @Amsterdam
Creators galore! A special TPU fashion workshop featuring J1! Connections and memories and more!
JRRF @Tokyo
A little secret about offline events is that we're willing to tell you more than we ever would over the internet. So if you came to Japan Rep Rap Festival in Tokyo, Go To Market Leader Sheila may have told you about the U1 a couple of weeks before we officially announced it!
TCT Asia @Shenzhen
The big event! Right in the middle of the U1 Kickstarter campaign, TCT Asia came almost right up to our doorstep! We couldn't turn away this opportunity to let our friends and fans get hands on with U1!
Formnext @Frankfurt
What can we say? It was a fantastic show. From Super Users like Bernd Michalak showing off his incredible, Artisan-built race car model, to the grand fashionista Variable Seams, to the money we raised for charity, it was the most fun we've had in years.
Stronger Together
Celebrating Our 9th Anniversary
Nine years after Snapmaker was founded, we celebrated with the people who made it possible: our users. From giveaways to in-person meetups, the anniversary wasn’t just about looking back - it was about looking forward together.
Sponsorships
In 2025 Snapmaker took on a number of incredible sponsorships, from Porsche Racing Team Rutronik, to Cambridge University Riviera Racing's futuristic electric boat project, to Zhejiang University of Science and Technology's EV racer ATTACKER!
Industry Partnerships
Throughout the year, we also built partnerships with leading brands across the maker universe, including:
Whether it was big prizes for our contests, or extra bonuses for our Kickstarter Stretch Goals, these partnerships expanded our circle of friends and delivered real value to our community.
Looking Ahead
2025 wasn’t just about launching a product. It was about strengthening the loop between software, hardware, materials, community, and creators. As we move forward, we’ll keep building tools that empower creativity, and we’ll keep building them together with you.
Now, let's get out there and Make Something Wonderful.
