From UV printing to T-shirts: Anker brings a mini-factory to the digital craftspeople’s workbench

Markets held on fixed days of the week or during festivals and celebrations – whether large or small – are a classic feature of Italian villages and towns. We’ve always found all sorts of things there: from antique dealers to craftspeople, not to mention vendors selling sweets and other local specialities. Recently, however, we have seen how some things are changing, particularly when it comes to items created by the new ‘digital craftspeople’: specialists who use CNC machines, lasers and 3D printers to create items for resale. Behind many of these objects, one can glimpse the spark of the artist’s soul, albeit one who uses very modern tools. It is no surprise, then, that the IFA in Berlin also featured machines designed specifically for these makers.

One piece of equipment that is set to become very popular amongst these craftspeople is the UV printer because, despite its compact size, it allows colour images to be transferred directly onto many types of objects and materials. At IFA 2026, Anker announced an update to the eufyMake UV Printer E1, featuring new accessories, bidirectional printing and a simplified workflow. This tool enables craftspeople to produce one-off pieces or very limited runs without having to rely on an external service provider, and at very low cost: gadgets, nameplates, decorative items and personalised products can be created as and when orders come in, without the need to hold stock. This is a major advantage for those who sell just a few dozen items and perhaps constantly update their catalogue.

One of the most customisable products in the world is the classic short-sleeved T-shirt. With Anker’s Personal Fabric Printer, due to be released in the first quarter of 2027, it will be possible to print permanently onto many types of fabric – not just T-shirts – thanks to the use of two professional technologies: DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and DTF (Direct-to-Film). The former allows you to print directly onto the garment, producing soft, breathable images; the latter, on the other hand, prints the design onto a film to be transferred later and can therefore be used with a wider range of fabrics and effects. Anker also promises to automate one of the typical problems associated with these technologies: the maintenance of white ink. An algorithm monitors the condition of the print head and automatically adjusts the cleaning process to reduce blockages, manual intervention and hassle for those involved in production.