Can you believe it’s been almost a decade?
My cofounder Mark and I started talking about what it’d be like to give everyone creative laser superpowers almost ten years ago. What was just a dream then is now a product that has touched so many people today.
And… sometimes it’s fun to reflect on that. The team put on their miner hats and did some data spelunking.
Our 2024 Year Together:
Every time you pressed that glowing button, you were part of something bigger. Together, we achieved:
14.8 million total prints. That makes printing on your Glowforge more popular than skydiving. Which makes sense, since your Glowforge requires neither nerves of steel, nor parachute pants.
320 years of laser time. If your laser head got paid $10/hour, we’d owe our lasers $28 million dollars. That’s the production budget of Blade Runner, which was a great movie, but we like what you made better.
687 million meters traveled by Glowforge laser heads. That’s like going to the moon and back. But with better snacks.
Our most-loved material? Basswood Plywood! Like the Taylor Swift of craft materials, it’s topped our charts so many times we’re considering giving it its own awards show.
The New “Learn” Tab
As we’re welcoming many new Glowforge owners this holiday season, and we want everyone to hit the ground running. Helping people catch that creative spark and really expand what their Glowforge can help them do is one of my favorite parts of being in our community. Our new Learn tab in the Glowforge App Dashboard makes it easier than ever to:
- Discover step-by-step project tutorials
- Watch helpful how-to videos
- Find inspiration for your next creation
We know that finding a smooth path to success on your very own Glowforge is important, and this content will keep growing as we see what is most helpful and inspiring from owners like you.
A new tool: Join (Premium)
Our latest Premium feature, Join, lets you combine vector shapes together into a single cutting path. You can learn more about it here. Perfect for holiday projects like:
- Connecting snowflake patterns for intricate ornaments
- Creating continuous border designs for gift boxes
- Merging letter shapes for personalized name signs
- Building complex holiday village silhouettes
As we start 2025, I’m excited about what’s ahead. Seeing new creators discover their potential and experienced makers push boundaries continues to be one of my greatest joys. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just getting started, you’re part of what makes this community special.
Here’s to making more amazing creations together,
Dan
P.S. Don’t forget to show us what you’re creating with the new Join tool - I can’t wait to see what you’ll make!