Three Years with Tyvok: A User’s Journey
— By Barnett Johnson, Walton County, Georgia
Hello everyone, my name is Barnett Johnson, and I live in Walton County, Georgia, not far from Atlanta. I’ve been a Tyvok user for about three years now, and I’d like to take this opportunity to share my story and encourage you to take a look at the upcoming Tyvok K1 CO₂ laser cutter.
Getting Started: My First Tyvok on Kickstarter
About three years ago, I purchased the X1 model through Kickstarter. At the time, it was one of Tyvok’s earliest machines, and I was among the first users. Like any new tool, there was a bit of a learning curve, but soon it became an excellent machine for me.
With it, I created projects for my family and friends, and eventually I even started selling my work. In fact, this marked the beginning of a small business journey that I hadn’t expected when I first backed the project.
Before Tyvok, I owned other machines—an Xtool D1 and an Xtool D1 Pro. They were good machines, but Tyvok offered something those machines couldn’t: true large-format capability.
My X1 has a working area about 32 inches wide and nearly 80 inches long. That opened up possibilities I had never had before. For instance, I can walk into Home Depot, buy a $15 sheet of 3mm plywood, have them cut it into three pieces, and they fit perfectly on the machine. This simple workflow has allowed me to make countless projects.
What really amazed me was not only being able to make large, impressive pieces that always surprise people, but also the ability to produce many smaller items at once. For example, if I design a layered piece around 16 × 16 inches, I can lay out all the layers on the bed and cut them in a single pass. Similarly, I can batch smaller items, saving a tremendous amount of time and material costs.
This efficiency—combined with the ability to handle inexpensive, large plywood sheets—made the X1 invaluable.
Going Bigger: The Tyvok S1
Building on that experience, I later backed the S1 on Kickstarter. The S1 is even larger, capable of handling full 4 × 8 ft sheets of plywood.
With that machine, I’ve created truly massive projects—like a 7.5 ft Sasquatch (Bigfoot) figure that has been incredibly popular and has sold quite well. People are always impressed when they see work of that scale.
The S1 also includes a CNC router module, which I haven’t tried yet since the machine only recently arrived, but it’s exciting to know that capability is available.
An Efficiency Upgrade: The X1S Pro
More recently, I purchased the X1S Pro. Its standout feature is the ability to run with dual gantries simultaneously, essentially doubling production capacity.
For me, that was a game-changer. I may eventually retire my original X1, since the Pro covers its capabilities and then some. Space in my workshop is becoming an issue, but the efficiency gains were too significant to ignore.
I’m planning to retire in a couple of years, and these machines are helping me lay the foundation for a small business. In fact, I already struggle to keep up with demand because people love large-format projects. At craft fairs and consignment shops, that capability alone sets me apart—few others can produce at this scale, which makes my work both distinctive and highly sought after.
Looking Ahead: The K1 CO₂ Laser Cutter
Most recently, I joined the pre-Kickstarter sale and ordered the K1. This is especially exciting because it gives me, for the first time, the ability to cut acrylics with a 100W CO₂ laser.
The K1 is large, but not as big as the S1—about the size of my original X1—which is just right for me since I already own the larger model.
What excites me most about the K1 is that it’s not a bulky, industrial machine like many CO₂ lasers on the market. Instead, Tyvok has designed something that is relatively portable, powerful, and well thought out. It features a strong 100W tube, a highly effective exhaust system, and comes preassembled out of the box—a welcome improvement that reduces setup time and learning barriers.
I’m genuinely looking forward to exploring what I can create with this new addition to my workshop.
From Hobby to Business
Over the past three years, I’ve learned that these machines are not just tools for creativity—they can also be the foundation of a business.
Take plywood, for example. I often buy a sheet for $15 or $20, and the projects I produce from it can easily sell for five times that amount. A $20 sheet of 5mm plywood can turn into $100 worth of products, giving me around $80 profit per sheet just from material costs. Run a couple of sheets a day, and the numbers start to add up quickly.
That’s the beauty of combining creativity with the right tools: the ability to transform simple materials into valuable products that people want.
The Value of Community
Another key part of this journey has been support—from both Tyvok and the community.
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Tyvok’s customer support has been responsive and helpful whenever I’ve needed it.
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And just as important, there’s a thriving Facebook community full of users who are always ready to share tips, answer questions, and encourage one another.
That sense of belonging and shared experience has been invaluable.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, my journey with Tyvok has been extraordinary. From the X1 to the S1, then the X1S Pro, and now the upcoming K1, these machines have not only fueled my creativity but also opened up opportunities for a small business that I hope to continue into retirement.
Tyvok, to me, is not just a brand—it’s a partner in this journey.
Perhaps the K1 isn’t the machine you personally need; maybe it’s another model. But whatever your needs, I encourage you to take a serious look at what Tyvok offers. For me, it has been life-changing.
Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing more videos and projects from my workshop. My shop is a little messy, but that’s part of the fun—and I look forward to showing you what I’ve built, and what’s yet to come.
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I hope it inspires you to explore your own creative path with Tyvok.
— Barnett Johnson, Walton County, Georgia
