Traditional printer manufacturers have long held sway over users by imposing restrictions through prohibitively high consumable costs and closed-off designs. To disrupt this entrenched status quo, a new open-source hardware initiative, dubbed the 'Open Printer' project, has emerged on the scene. Its goal is to provide users with repairable, compact, and long-lasting printing solutions. The project has released a preview video and is gearing up for its launch on the CrowdSupply crowdfunding platform.

The Open Printer stands out by utilizing universal components, accommodating paper sizes up to A3 and 297mm-wide roll paper, and delivering printing resolutions of 600 DPI for black-and-white documents and 1200 DPI for color prints. In a bold move, the project eschews DRM technology, embracing open-source firmware instead. All firmware source code, along with electronic and mechanical design files, are made publicly accessible, empowering users to freely use, modify, and even create derivative works based on the project.

From a hardware perspective, the Open Printer leverages a Raspberry Pi Zero W as its main control unit, integrates an STM32 microcontroller, and is designed to be compatible with mainstream HP ink cartridges. Moreover, the printer supports the widely used CUPS print server and comes equipped with a range of interfaces, including USB Type-C, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, and USB Type-A. The front of the device features a 1.47-inch TFT LCD screen and a multifunctional knob for intuitive operation.

At present, the development team has showcased a fully functional engineering prototype. However, details regarding official pricing, crowdfunding targets, and reward schemes are still pending announcement.