PRAGUE – The atmosphere was electric at the Prusa Research headquarters this week. Against a backdrop of a stunning 360-degree digital screen, founder Josef Prusa didn’t just announce a new product; he unveiled a vision for the next era of the company's 3D printing technology. The star of the show was the long-anticipated Core One L, a larger-format powerhouse designed to bridge the gap between desktop and industrial printing. But it was the surprise reveal of the Signature Oak Core One—a breathtaking limited-edition printer with a handcrafted wooden chassis—that truly stole the show and left the audience of reporters and creators in awe.
The event emphasized a core philosophy for Prusa: evolution, not revolution. The new Core One L isn't a complete departure from its popular predecessor but a significant and thoughtful scaling up, proving that bigger doesn't always have to mean bulkier.
Core One L: Double the Volume, Minimal Footprint
At its heart, the Core One L is a direct response to a common request from the Prusa community: more space. Building on the solid foundation of the original Core One, this new model is a fully enclosed CoreXY printer engineered for precision and reliability at a larger scale.
The most impressive statistic? The Core One L boasts a substantial build volume of 300 x 300 x 330 mm, which Prusa claims is double that of the standard Core One. The engineering marvel, however, lies in its footprint. The company has managed to pack this expansive print volume into a chassis that is only 10% larger externally. Even more surprising, the Core One L is actually a tad lighter, thanks to strategic use of lightweight aluminum in its construction.
Engineering Innovations: Precision Heating and Offline-First Philosophy
Beyond its size, the Core One L introduces several key functional upgrades. The most significant is its advanced heatbed. Featuring a cast metal, precision-milled surface, Prusa promises exceptional thermal uniformity, with a temperature variance of less than 2 degrees Celsius across 99% of the print area. This is a critical feature for ensuring consistent layer adhesion and preventing warping on large-scale prints.
Perhaps the most clever innovation is how the printer manages its internal environment. The Core One L creatively uses the underside of the heatbed, equipped with fans, to create a forced convection effect that actively and evenly heats the entire printing chamber, which can reach up to 60°C.
In a world increasingly focused on connectivity, Prusa is making a bold statement about user control. The company emphasized that every function of the Core One L can be operated entirely offline, with online connectivity being "100% optional." For the privacy-conscious, the Wi-Fi module can even be physically removed from the printer.
For a deeper dive into the technical specifications and design philosophy, Prusa has published a detailed blog post, Think Big, Print Big: Introducing the Prusa Core One L.
As for the core specs, the Core One L doesn’t disappoint:
- Nozzle: High-flow brass CHT (0.4mm), up to 290°C
- Heatbed: Up to 120°C
- Display: 3.5" color touchscreen
- Monitoring: 1080p camera with night vision
The Signature Oak Core One: Where Heritage Meets Technology
While the Core One L focused on scale, the Signature Oak Core One was an emotional tribute to craftsmanship and history. This limited-edition printer is a celebration of the generational friendship between the Prusa and Jelinek families, master woodworkers, dating back to 1897.
Each of the 250 units produced will feature a unique chassis meticulously CNC-machined from solid oak and treated with a durable hardwax oil, giving each printer a distinct grain pattern and a warm, tactile feel that stands in stark contrast to the cold metal of typical printers. This model is not a simple cosmetic upgrade; it's a collector's item, a piece of functional art. Due to its exclusive nature, pricing is not listed publicly, and interested buyers must request a personal quote directly from Prusa.
Pricing, Availability, and the Road Ahead
The Prusa Core One L is set at a competitive price of $1,799, with shipping scheduled to begin on November 7. For context, the original, fully-assembled Core One remains available for $1,299, with its kit version at $999.
The launch of these two printers signals a maturing and diversifying strategy from Prusa Research. With the Core One L, they are directly addressing the needs of professionals and small businesses requiring larger parts without sacrificing desktop convenience. With the Signature Oak Core One, they demonstrate that technology can be deeply personal, beautiful, and connected to tradition. It’s a powerful one-two punch that strengthens the Core One line and gives the 3D printing community plenty to talk about—and print—for the foreseeable future.
