Summary
Fire up the fume extractor, because things are heating up in the laser world for the week of June 29, 2025. This week, we're covering the biggest news in focused light, from a new desktop laser that can engrave in full color to a software update that uses AI to prevent fires. We're lasering through the hype to bring you the 10 stories you need to see. Warning: may cause an uncontrollable urge to burn your initials into everything you own.
TOC
- Glowforge 'Prism': The First Desktop Laser to Engrave in Full Color
- LightBurn 3.0: The 'Fire-Watch' Update That Could Save Your Workshop
- xTool's 'M1 Pro': A Hybrid Laser and Blade Cutter with a 50W Laser
- 'Holo-Mark': A New Laser Technique for Invisible Watermarks
- The Great CO2 Tube Revival: New Tech Doubles Tube Lifespan
- 'Lens-Guard': A Self-Cleaning Lens That Repels Smoke and Debris
- Laser-Knitting: Researchers Are Now Weaving Fabric with Light
- The Rise of the Handheld Fiber Laser: 100W of Power in Your Palm
- 'Silent-Flow': The Fume Extractor That's as Quiet as a Refrigerator
- The 'Custom-Fit' Revolution: How Lasers Are Making Bespoke Goods Affordable
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1. Silhouette's 'Duo': The First Dual-Tool Craft Cutter
Silhouette has just announced the 'Duo', the first craft cutter with a dual-tool carriage. This means you can have a blade and a pen, or two different colored pens, loaded at the same time. The machine will automatically switch between the tools, allowing you to cut and draw in a single pass. It's a huge time-saver for crafters who love to create multi-layered projects.
2. The Cricut 'BrightPress': A Heat Press and UV Printer in One
Cricut has just launched the 'BrightPress', a revolutionary new machine that combines a heat press with a UV printer. This allows you to print full-color, durable designs directly onto your projects, and then heat-press them for a permanent finish. It's a game-changer for creating custom apparel, mugs, and more.
3. Brother's 'Auto-Trace': The Machine That Turns Any Sketch into a Cut File
The new Brother ScanNCut model, the SDX1000, has a new feature called 'Auto-Trace'. You can draw a sketch on a piece of paper, load it into the machine, and the 'Auto-Trace' feature will automatically turn it into a cut file. It's a dream come true for crafters who love to create their own unique designs.
4. Siser's New 'Stained Glass' Vinyl Is a Game-Changer
Siser has just released a new type of vinyl that looks just like stained glass. The 'Stained Glass' vinyl is a transparent, colored vinyl that can be layered to create beautiful, intricate designs. It's perfect for creating window clings, suncatchers, and other projects that play with light.
5. The Rise of the Pen Tool: Multi-Color Sketching Is Now a Reality
The pen tool is no longer just for drawing simple outlines. New multi-pen holders for Cricut and Silhouette machines allow you to use up to four different colored pens at once. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for creating multi-colored sketches, illustrations, and handwritten notes.
6. 'Design Space Pro': Cricut's New Subscription Tier with Advanced Features
Cricut has just announced a new subscription tier for its Design Space software called 'Design Space Pro'. The 'Pro' tier includes advanced features like a vector editor, a font manager, and the ability to save projects for offline use. It's a move to appeal to more professional designers and crafters.
7. 'Smart-Weed': The Weeding Tool That Lights Up Your Cut Lines
Weeding just got a whole lot easier. The 'Smart-Weed' is a new weeding tool with a built-in LED light that illuminates your cut lines. This makes it much easier to see where you need to weed, especially on intricate designs and dark-colored vinyl.
8. The Great Mat Debate: Are Third-Party Mats Finally as Good as the Name Brands?
The debate over whether to use name-brand or third-party cutting mats is as old as craft cutting itself. However, a new wave of third-party mats is claiming to be just as good, if not better, than the official mats from Cricut and Silhouette. We're seeing more and more crafters making the switch, citing better grip and a lower price point.
9. Print-Then-Cut Gets a 'True-Color' Upgrade: New Software for Perfect Color Matching
One of the biggest frustrations with Print-Then-Cut is getting the colors on your final project to match the colors on your screen. New software from Adobe called 'True-Color' integrates with Cricut and Silhouette machines to ensure perfect color matching every time. It's a must-have for sticker makers and anyone who is serious about color accuracy.
10. Beyond Paper: New Tools for Engraving and Etching on Your Cutter
Craft cutters are no longer just for paper and vinyl. New engraving and etching tools for Cricut and Silhouette machines allow you to work with a whole new range of materials, including acrylic, metal, and even glass. This is opening up a world of new possibilities for creating custom jewelry, home decor, and more.
Conclusion
For the week of June 29, 2025, the craft cutting world is more versatile, colorful, and user-friendly than ever before. With new machines that can do more, new materials that inspire creativity, and new tools that make the process easier, there's never been a better time to be a crafter.
Funny Fact
The first electronic craft cutter, the Cricut, was invented by a man named Robert Workman, who wanted an easier way to create stencils for his wife's scrapbooking projects. He had no idea he was about to launch a multi-billion dollar industry.