xTool CMYK Colour Inkjet Module V1.0

Full-Colour Output Inside Your xTool M2 — No Second Machine Required

Most laser workflows stop at monochrome engraving or single-colour marking. The xTool CMYK Colour Inkjet Module V1.0 changes that equation entirely. By slotting into the M2's multi-function holder via built-in magnets, the module shares the same gantry, the same coordinate system, and the same xTool software environment as the diode laser module already installed on the machine.

The practical consequence is a genuine Print-Then-Cut capability: print a full-colour graphic with the inkjet module, swap to the laser module, and let the software cut precisely around the printed outline — all without moving the material. Manual alignment, a step that typically adds 15 minutes or more of fiddly repositioning, is eliminated. Independent testing cited in xTool's own workflow comparisons puts the combined Print-Then-Cut time at roughly 3 minutes versus 20 minutes across separate machines.

The image below shows the xTool M2 CMYK Colour Inkjet Module as a standalone unit, highlighting the compact form factor and CMYK colour indicator.

CMYK Colour Science — Why Four Channels Matter

Consumer inkjet printers have used CMYK separation for decades for a precise reason: combining Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) channels produces a far wider gamut and more accurate neutral tones than CMY alone. The dedicated black channel is especially important for photographic shadows and fine text — areas where CMY mixing creates muddy, colour-shifted results.

The upgrade from CMY to CMYK in this module translates directly to sharper Nyhavn-harbour blues, accurate skin tones on portrait stickers, and clean black linework on calendar grids — output quality that CMY-only modules structurally cannot match. The print quality comparison below makes this difference immediately apparent.

The split-panel comparison below demonstrates the visible difference between CMY and CMYK (M2 module) output quality using a standardised reference image.

Print-Then-Cut in One Machine — A Single Integrated Workflow

The most compelling capability of the xTool M2 ecosystem is the ability to print vibrant full-colour artwork and then cut it to shape — all within a single machine, without repositioning the substrate. The M2's laser module calibration data is shared with the inkjet module, so the software knows exactly where every printed pixel lands. Contour cutting is therefore pixel-accurate rather than estimated.

Applications that benefit most from this workflow include:

• Custom stickers and die-cut label sheets
• Wall art printed and cut to irregular shapes
• Cake toppers with photo-quality imagery
• Temporary tattoos with precise edge definition
• Fridge magnets and bookmarks
• Personalised calendars and party napkins
• 3D miniature printing on flat media

The image below captures the Print-Then-Cut process in action, showing the M2 performing CMYK inkjet printing followed by diode laser cutting on paper in a single uninterrupted workflow.

Cartridge System and Maintenance Design

The ink cartridge inserts at a 45° angle into the module's inner track and locks with an audible click — a mechanism designed to prevent misalignment and the jamming that results from vertical insertion. Metal contacts on the cartridge base should never be touched, as skin oils and contamination raise electrical resistance and can cause print-head communication errors.

The bottom cap plays a dual maintenance role. It houses a moisturising sponge, which should be kept damp with the supplied moisturising liquid or purified water to prevent the ink nozzle from drying out between sessions. A second cleaning sponge within the same cap captures ink residue; rinsing with clean water and reinstalling without full drying is all that is required. For machines in regular operation, cleaning frequency should scale with usage intensity — allowing excessive ink build-up risks print quality degradation that is difficult to reverse.

Material thickness determines whether the bottom cap must be removed manually: substrates below 2 cm require no cap removal; between 2 cm and 2.6 cm the cap must be removed manually; and materials exceeding 2.6 cm are not supported by the module.

Tech Tip: Store the module with the bottom cap attached whenever it is not in use. The built-in magnets ensure the cap seats correctly, and the moisturising sponge inside prevents the ink nozzle from air-drying — a common cause of blocked nozzles and colour banding on the first print of a new session. If the machine will be idle for more than a week, check the sponge moisture level before the next use and add a few drops of moisturising liquid if it feels dry to the touch.