Laser News Digest - February 7, 2026
Published
OMTech has opened its first official showroom at their Santa Ana headquarters where visitors can see live demos of lasers, DTF printers, UV printers, and embroidery machines. xTool hosted a February 4th live stream announcing Atomm generator upgrades, smarter xTool Studio features, and Customthings enhancements. Monport is running a Valentine's Day sale (Feb 5-16) on desktop laser engravers. Meanwhile, the global laser cutting market is projected to hit $7.82 billion in 2026.
OMTech Opens Official Showroom at Santa Ana Headquarters
OMTech has opened the doors to its first official showroom at their Santa Ana, California headquarters. The showroom offers live demonstrations of OMTech's full product range—including CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, DTF printers, UV printers, and embroidery machines—allowing visitors to explore custom samples and consult with experts on-site.
This is a strategic move. One of the biggest objections in the laser cutter buying process is 'I need to see it in person.' OMTech's showroom addresses this head-on, especially for their higher-end systems where a $5K+ purchase deserves hands-on time. If you're in Southern California, this is now the go-to destination for comparing OMTech's full lineup including their newer DTF and embroidery machines. It also signals confidence in their growing ecosystem approach beyond just lasers.
💡What this means for you
The showroom features the full OMTech product portfolio: entry-level desktop lasers through industrial fiber cutters, plus the new Aurora DTF, Spectra UV, and Pulse Embroidery systems announced at the Winter Product Launch.
Market Position: Few laser brands have physical showrooms in the US. This puts OMTech alongside xTool (which has demo events) and ahead of most Chinese competitors who are online-only. For buyers comparing OMTech vs. Gweike vs. Thunder Laser, being able to touch the machines is a major advantage.
- Walk-in availability or appointment required?
- Whether other regional showrooms are planned
- Demo material availability for testing your specific projects
⏸️ Wait if: You're not in the Southern California area
✅ Buy if: You're local and considering any maker equipment—this is a free, hands-on opportunity, You want to compare CO2 vs. fiber laser in person before purchasing
xTool Streams Major Software Ecosystem Updates
xTool hosted a February 4th live stream detailing significant updates across their software ecosystem. New generators have been added to Atomm, xTool Studio has received speed and intelligence upgrades, and Customthings gained new features. xTool plans to release monthly upgrades to xTool Studio throughout 2026.
xTool is increasingly betting on software as their differentiator, not just hardware. The monthly upgrade commitment for xTool Studio is ambitious and positions them as the 'Apple' of lasers—tight hardware-software integration. AImake v2 (their AI crafting agent) is getting better, and the Atomm generator updates expand design capabilities. For current xTool owners, these software updates are essentially free feature upgrades to your existing machine.
💡What this means for you
xTool Studio intelligent processing improvements include smarter auto-trace, better cut-path optimization, and expanded material presets. Atomm generator additions expand the AI-assisted design catalog. Customthings updates improve the design-to-product workflow.
Market Position: While LightBurn remains the open-standard workhorse, xTool Studio's AI integration and monthly update cadence create lock-in that benefits xTool hardware owners. This is a clear strategy to compete with Glowforge's 'easy' appeal while maintaining prosumer capability.
- Whether Atomm generators will remain free or become subscription-based
- LightBurn compatibility for new features
- xTool Studio availability for non-xTool machines
Monport Kicks Off Valentine's Day Sale on Desktop Laser Engravers
Monport Laser has launched a Valentine's Day promotion running February 5-16, 2026, offering discounts and reward points across their desktop laser engraver lineup. The sale covers CO2 laser cutters, fiber laser engravers, and accessories, capitalizing on the growing demand for personalized engraved gifts.
Valentine's season is actually one of the best times to buy a laser engraver—not just for gifting, but because manufacturers use it as a seasonal sales driver. Monport's machines are solid mid-range options, though their software support and community are smaller than xTool or OMTech. If you're price-sensitive and primarily doing engraving (not heavy cutting), their CO2 models offer good value. Just factor in that you'll likely be using LightBurn separately.
💡What this means for you
Monport's desktop CO2 lineup ranges from 40W to 80W enclosed systems. Their fiber units target marking and engraving on metals. The sale likely offers 10-20% discounts based on historical Monport promotions.
Market Position: Monport positions between budget Amazon lasers and premium OMTech/xTool offerings. Less brand recognition but competitive pricing for the specs.
- Specific discount percentages per model
- Whether bundled accessories are included
- Post-sale support and warranty terms
Laser Cutting Market Projected to Hit $7.82 Billion in 2026
Industry analysis projects the global laser cutting machine market will reach $7.82 billion in 2026, expanding to $12.34 billion by 2031 at a 9.55% CAGR. Growth is driven by adoption of high-precision automated cutting in manufacturing, automotive, and electronics sectors. Fiber laser technology continues to dominate as it outperforms CO2 in efficiency and reflective metal capability.
The numbers validate what we're seeing on the ground: lasers are going mainstream across industries. The 9.55% growth rate is exceptional for a mature manufacturing technology, driven primarily by fiber laser adoption and AI-powered automation. For maker-scale users, this market expansion means more competition among desktop brands, which drives prices down and features up. Expect entry-level laser cutters to continue getting cheaper and more capable throughout 2026.
💡What this means for you
Fiber lasers now account for the majority of industrial installations and are displacing CO2 in applications where metal compatibility isn't needed. AI-driven parameter optimization (auto-adjusting feed speed, gas pressure, focus) is the next frontier for production efficiency.
Market Position: The market is bifurcating: industrial (1kW+) and consumer/prosumer (under 200W). Both segments growing but the prosumer segment is growing faster percentage-wise due to lower barrier to entry.
- How much of the growth is industrial vs. consumer/prosumer
- Impact of AI integration on entry-level pricing
- Which regions are driving the fastest adoption
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the OMTech showroom without an appointment?▼
OMTech's showroom at their Santa Ana headquarters is open for visitors. Check their website for current hours and whether appointments are recommended. Bring material samples if you want to test specific projects on their machines.
Are xTool Studio updates free for existing machine owners?▼
Yes, xTool Studio updates including the new intelligent processing features are available free for all xTool laser owners. The monthly update commitment for 2026 means regular feature additions at no extra cost.
Is Monport a reliable laser brand?▼
Monport makes solid mid-range CO2 and fiber lasers. They're less well-known than xTool or OMTech but offer competitive specs for the price. Key considerations: smaller community for troubleshooting, you'll need LightBurn separately for advanced work, and parts/service options are more limited.