Six Reasons to Not Buy A Glowforge

August 07, 2024

We’re sure you have some great reasons for not taking the leap into Glowforge ownership yet. Maybe a few of these…?

In some ways, that’s a first in all of human history – a button that empowers creation. And in some ways, it’s a return to very old times. When every person was a maker, and everyone had the ability to create things for themselves and their communities.

That means owning your Glowforge makes you special. (Since you have one, you probably know this already.) And when people like us come together, real magic can happen.

This is important, because we live in an era when we could use some magic. It’s a challenging time. Watching the news, my heart breaks a little as I think about how lucky my family is. We’re safe from war and strife. We have everything we need to survive, and to thrive. We’re going to celebrate a wonderful holiday together, visiting family and sharing gifts large and small.

It’s too expensive

It’s true – top-end professional Glowforge systems can cost $10,000 and up. Can you really afford the best in safety and quality, or do you have to settle for a knock off?

Good news: there's now Glowforge for every budget! Glowforge Aura™ and Glowforge Spark™ start as low as $25/month. And Glowforge Pro and Glowforge Plus owners report that it can take just a few months to make their money back many times over when selling their creations.

I don’t know how to design

Great question. No matter which Performance laser you choose, you’ll be able to cut materials measuring 12”W x 19½”L and 1/2”D. You can also remove the crumb tray to engrave materials up to 2” thick.

With Glowforge Pro’s Passthrough slot, you can use materials that are 20”W and infinitely long! (Click here to watch Bailey & Nick print a 4ft long sign!)

I don’t know what I’d use it for

Neither do we… because there are countless options to choose from!

Your Glowforge can power a small business, like Emily who makes a living selling custom jewelry and home decor. It can create personalized touches for your clients, like Amber who makes “new home” cutting boards for each of her real estate clients and Phillip who creates custom decor for his wedding clients. And it can help you turn your creative visions into reality, like Sharon who makes dollhouse furniture and Albert who creates intricate 3D papercuts. The possibilities are endless, and once you have your Glowforge, you’ll be seeing them everywhere you look!

Lasers seem… scary

You’re right to be concerned! Imported knock-off lasers are all over these days, and some are just not safe.

But not Glowforge. Only Glowforge lasers are certified by a nationally recognized testing lab, TUV Rheinland. Glowforge lasers are designed with protective cases and dozens of safety sensors so you can use them with confidence at home. You’re right to be concerned about safety, and that’s why you’ll want to stick with Glowforge.

I don’t have a workshop or craft room to put it in

A dedicated space just for making… that’s the dream, isn’t it?

But fortunately, you don’t need that in order to bring a Glowforge home! Our personal Craft Lasers™ are compact enough to fit anywhere, with our smallest, Glowforge Spark, measuring 21 5/16” (W) x 18 1/2” (D) x 5 1/8” (H) – small enough to fit on your desk. All Glowforge printers have an optional air filter, which allows you to run them in any room (or you can vent them out a window).

I’m worried about something going wrong

We understand, you don’t want a big investment in yourself to end in disappointment.

We’ve designed Glowforge lasers to be durable and dependable. But in the unlikely chance that you get stuck, we’ve got your back! All of our models come with a 12 month worry-free warranty (with the option to purchase an extended warranty that lasts until 2028). Our customer support department is always just a phone call, chat, or email away. And Glowforge has the biggest and most welcoming online community, with hundreds of thousands of helpful creators just like you.

It’s amazing how simple it can be to have such a profound impact. And I know that, together, we can make this happen.

Your Glowforge is a big decision, and you’re right to consider it wisely! If you’re finding yourself tempted before you’re ready… stay away from here :)