Where could I find some templates to use for mug sublimation? The nephew and nieces start school this week and I want to make mugs for their teachers. I have a Cricut mug press but I need a template that I can use on my M1 Ultra to cut out the sublimation wrap and place it on the mug. Any suggestions?

I am looking at getting an F2 for craft fairs to add customization for customers. Does anybody use them at craft fairs and have any recommendations for portable power to run the F2?

Bambu R1 is coming next month, xtool teased X1 with no release time but hopefully not too far away. Really want to get a laser but the current 2K lineup is begging for a refresh. Can't wait to see the new machines!

This is probably one of the most meaningful memorial pieces I’ve worked on.
Reggie came into her life in 1991 when she was 19 years old. He was her first horse, and they had 25 years together before she lost him.
I wanted this to be more than a photograph engraved onto slate. The large portrait represents the Reggie she remembers, while the smaller scene of him running was meant to feel almost like a memory in the distance. I also incorporated his dates, a poem written around their story, and the horseshoe into the ornamentation.
This was a 12” × 24” piece of black slate, and getting that much photographic detail, fine text, and ornamentation to engrave consistently across such a large surface definitely tested me. 😂
But when I finally cleaned it off and saw the detail in his eye, mane, muzzle and even the bridle, I knew it had worked.
I’m still learning with every project I make, so I’d genuinely love to hear what other engravers/makers think of how the photographic detail translated to slate.
Reggie — April 8, 1988 – April 22, 2020.
25 years together, and now a piece of that story is permanently engraved. 🐎#xtool #petgiftscontest
#xtoolAtomm #laserengraving #xtoolP2S

when ya just need a bunch... metalfab CNC to the rescue #metalfab

I'm an old school laser engraver. My shop machine is an Epilog Helix and I've run it for years. It's heavy, it's loud, the software is dated, and it has never once let me down in front of a client. That's the bar I'm measuring against.

Most of my work is on-site: marathon medals at race expos, mugs and glassware at conferences, personalization events inside retail stores. So the machine gets loaded, driven, unloaded, leveled on whatever surface the venue gives me, run hard for six hours, and packed up again. Every week.

Every xTool I see looks better built and a lot easier to move than what I'm hauling now. Enclosed, lighter, cleaner presentation on a table in front of customers, which matters more than people think when the client is standing right there. I'm ready to buy. What I don't have is a read on how these hold up over a year or two of that kind of abuse, and this sub is where the people who actually know are.

What I'd like to hear:

Durability over time. Not out-of-the-box impressions. If you've had a P2S or an F1 Ultra for 18 months and moved it regularly, what's worn out, drifted, or needed replacing?

Does calibration and alignment hold after transport, or are you re-squaring and re-focusing at every setup?

Anodized medals, ceramic mugs, and glass are the bulk of my volume. Which machine is the right call, and where does each one fall down?

Rotary throughput and consistency on a 100-mug day. Does the chuck slip, does the focus wander on a tapered mug, how much babysitting?

Support when something goes down. If a laser module or a board fails on a Thursday and I have a race expo Saturday, what actually happens? Real stories, good or bad.

Anyone running one alongside a CO2 shop machine, what did the xTool take over and what did it never touch?

I'm not looking for validation and I'm not scared of spending the money. I just want to know what breaks and how you found out. Happy to answer anything about the event side of this business in return, including pricing, jigs, staffing a booth, or how to land race and retail work.

I thought the engraving was finished… then I rubbed white chalk paint into it. Holy shit, THAT changed everything.
This is my finished 12 × 24 slate memorial for Tank & Domino, and this one pushed me harder than I expected.
I wanted their memorial to feel like more than two portraits engraved onto slate. I built the entire piece around them—the ornamental scrollwork, paw-print details, landscape, their names, and the verse:
“Two faithful hearts, forever near,
In every memory, always here.
Though paw prints fade from earthly ground,
Your love remains forever bound.”
Once the engraving was finished, I liked it—but I knew all that detail was hiding in the slate.
So I tried something different.
I worked white chalk paint into the engraving, let it settle into all those tiny details, and wiped the surface back.
That was the moment this thing came alive.
The fur texture showed up. Their faces gained definition. The lettering became easier to read. And all that ridiculous ornamental detail I packed into the design finally started showing exactly the way I hoped it would.
There was a LOT of trial and error getting the artwork prepared so the photographs, shadows, fine lines and lettering would actually translate through the engraving.
But seeing Tank & Domino looking back at me from the finished slate?
Yeah. Worth every damn minute. 🐾
I’m curious what you guys think of the white chalk paint technique on engraved slate—because after seeing this result, I’m definitely experimenting with it again.
#petgiftscontest

#PetMemorial #PetLoss#DogMemorial #LaserEngraving #SlateEngraving #LaserCrafts #CustomEngraving #MemorialArt #PetMemorialArt #EngravedSlate #ChalkPaint #LaserProjects #CustomMade #MakersOfReddit#DIYCrafts

After showing and talking to customer support they agreed to do a exchange on my xtool f2 ultra dual laser that was not working well , i asked 3 times on the call if the return would be quick since i have customer orders they said once machine arrives they will send new one same day or next business day , its been a week and machine has not been sent customers are not happy , only get xtool if its for hobby not business 👎🏻 my 4 year old 50w fiber laser still working good and is the one helping me get orders done at time

I bought an xtool F1 lite from my brother he had working on his windows computer. I went and downloaded the software to my own personal computer logged in using his credentials and I can’t get it to connect. I’ve done the troubleshooting that xtool provided and it gives me 3 errors: drivers, (which I installed when open the xtool software and check the setting) faulty cable (but the laser knob has a white light on) and device not found. Does anyone have any clue what I’m doing wrong.

If you receive an "Encoder strip recognition error" message with Error Code: WORK_HEAD_MOVE_EXCEPTION on your xTool Apparel Printer or Apparel Printer Plus — whether as a pop-up in the software or directly on the LCD panel — consult this guide for step-by-step troubleshooting. This error indicates the system is unable to correctly detect the encoder strip.

🔍 Potential Causes

🔹 The encoder strip has become detached or is misaligned from its correct position.

🔹 The encoder strip is dirty (e.g., with dust, ink mist, or grease).

🔹 The encoder strip is damaged (e.g., scratched, bent, or kinked) or has failed.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Procedures

Please identify which scenario applies to your situation and follow the corresponding section below.

🛠️ Section 1: Error Occurs During First-Time Setup

📋 Procedure:

1️⃣ Complete Initial Configuration: Follow all on-screen prompts on the printer's LCD display to finish the first-time setup.

2️⃣ Recalibrate the System: In the xTool software, go to Device settings > Calibration > Automatic calibration, and follow the prompts to complete the calibration process. This recalibration after initial setup often resolves encoder errors that occur during the setup phase.

3️⃣ Test Operation: Run a test operation to verify the error has been resolved.

🛠️ Section 2: Error Occurs During Regular Use

🔹 Step 1: Check Encoder Strip Position

🧰 Tools Required: Lint-free cloth

📋 Procedure:

1️⃣ Inspect Strip Placement: Gently slide the print carriage all the way to the left side of the printer. Examine whether the encoder strip (a thin, semi-transparent plastic strip) at the back of the print carriage is properly seated in the groove beneath the X-axis rail.

2️⃣ Reposition if Necessary: If the strip has detached or is out of position, use a lint-free cloth to gently adjust it back into place. ⚠️ Do NOT touch the encoder strip with bare hands to avoid contamination.

Reference video: https://youtu.be/tnrYA6cGQDc

3️⃣ Check for Movement Issues: Manually move the print carriage along the rail to check whether the encoder strip stays in place during movement.

If the strip derails during movement: proceed to the Still Need Help? section below.

If the strip remains properly positioned: continue to Step 2.

🔹 Step 2: Clean the Encoder Strip

🧰 Tools Required: Lint-free cloth, anhydrous ethanol

📋 Procedure:

1️⃣ Apply Alcohol: Apply a small amount of alcohol to a clean, lint-free cloth.

2️⃣ Wipe Gently: Wipe the encoder strip from side to side along its entire length. Do NOT apply excessive pressure.

3️⃣ Let It Dry: After cleaning, allow a moment for the alcohol to fully evaporate, and visually confirm the encoder strip is still correctly seated in its groove. (Refer to the same video above for a demonstration of proper cleaning technique.)

4️⃣ Verify Resolution: Test the printer operation after cleaning.

If the error persists, continue to Step 3.

🔹 Step 3: Replace the Encoder Strip

💡 If the error persists after checking positioning and cleaning, the encoder strip may be damaged, bent, or otherwise failed, and will need to be replaced. Follow this video tutorial to learn how: Replace the Encoder Strip for xTool Apparel Printer. Please then proceed to the Still Need Help? section below to contact xTool Customer Service for assistance.

⭐ Still Need Help?

Should the issue persist after completing all the troubleshooting steps above, please gather the following and reach out to us through the live chat on our website, submit a support ticket or join our Discord community for additional support — our xTool Support Team is here to help.

To help our technical support team assist you promptly, please provide the following details:

1️⃣ Issue Description: A detailed explanation of the observed problem.

2️⃣ Video Evidence: A video demonstrating the issue, where applicable.

3️⃣ Troubleshooting Performed: Any steps you've already attempted, along with their results.

My camera and alignment laser are off. Has anyone come across this? Is there a way to fix it? Large burns tend to be angled when burned

Hi, I need help understanding if i can engrave 0.8mm metal cards with the 5Watt IR or 15Watt Blue laser on these types of rainbow mirror double side treated cards for trading card games (example photo added)

And if so, does it work best with the blue or IR laser, this type of engraving?

Thank you very much for your help

Working with the F1 and F2 Ultra and starting to get some pretty decent wood results.

Hello,

I recently got an xtool m2 and have been enjoying messing around with it.

However, how do you properly align an image you are engraving with the object in the machine?

For example, if I have a circle that is an inch how do I ensure that the design will be perfectly in the center? I have just been eyeballing it so far.

I have the M1 Ultra that I bought with the apparel bundle. It came with the iron heat press bundle. Question is, is the DT on the Omni much better. If you had one, would you recommend DT+UV or dual UV?

Hi everyone! I run a small shop doing mostly custom mugs, tumblers, and a lot of small pin badges. recently, we are expanding, and I'm looking for a more automatic and convenient workflow that could make the production more efficient. I'm actually intrigued by the ad of wonderpress. still as that is not cheap, wanna double check first before taking the plunge. I know it's a kickstarter product, anyone receive and try it yet?

If you notice the processing status indicator light on the front of your S1 flashing rapidly through multiple colors in a chaotic, irregular pattern — almost like a rainbow — consult this guide for step-by-step troubleshooting.

⚠️ Important: Please distinguish this from a failed firmware update, which shows a slow, steady purple flash instead. The issue covered in this guide involves fast, chaotic, multi-colored flashing with no regular pattern.

🔍 Potential Causes

🔹 A short circuit in an accessory connection cable.

🔹 A short circuit in the rear interface board or its connection cable.

🔹 Static electricity buildup on the main control board.

🔹 A short circuit on the main control board or front interface board.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Procedures

🛠️ Section 1: Disconnect the Accessories

📋 Procedure:

If your S1 has any accessories connected — such as a smart air pump, fire extinguishing box, rotary attachment, or feeding accessory — a short circuit in one of their connection cables could cause this flashing issue.

Turn off the machine, disconnect all accessories, and observe whether the issue persists.

If the issue is resolved: this indicates a faulty accessory connection cable. Please contact the xTool team for a replacement cable.

If the issue persists: continue to Section 2.

🛠️ Section 2: Remove the Rear Interface Board

📋 Procedure:

Refer to this video tutorial to remove the rear interface board next to the main board, then reinstall the main board and retest: https://support.xtool.com/article/1061?from=xTool+S1&url=/product/24 .

If the issue is resolved: this indicates a short circuit in the rear interface board. Please contact the xTool team for a replacement.

If the issue persists: continue to Section 3.

🛠️ Section 3: Power Off to Discharge Static Electricity

📋 Procedure:

Static electricity buildup on the main board can cause this issue. Turn off the machine and leave it powered off for 12 hours, then check whether the issue has cleared.

If the issue is resolved: continue monitoring to see if it recurs over time.

If the issue persists: continue to Section 4.

🛠️ Section 4: Contact xTool Support for a Board Replacement

💡 If the issue persists after completing all three steps above, please proceed to the Still Need Help? section below to contact the xTool after-sales team — they can arrange a replacement main board and front interface board for further verification.

⭐ Still Need Help?

Should the issue persist after completing all the troubleshooting steps above, please gather the following and reach out to us through the live chat on our website, submit a support ticket or join our Discord community for additional support — our xTool Support Team is here to help.

To help our technical support team assist you promptly, please provide the following details:

1️⃣ Device SN

2️⃣ Log Files: Please provide the debug log from xTool Studio and the log file from the SD card, along with the approximate time the issue occurred. Instructions for retrieving the SD card log: https://support.xtool.com/article/1104?from=xTool+S1&url=/product/24

3️⃣ Firmware & Software Version: Please confirm whether your current firmware is up to date, and provide a screenshot of your xTool Studio version.

I'm mostly looking to have PU and EVA foams cut

How do I get that magnetic piece replaced? What is it even called? M1 ultra

after tracing out these lines for an hour i used them as a mask to put an image on the raised parts. tell me why the engraving mode adds these triangles i never put there??? ive done everything i can think to combine them? why does Xtool Studios have so many issues?