Demystifying BPL's MakerSpace

It’s like a printer that draws with a laser beam instead of ink. The laser cutter is connected to a computer that reads an image file created with graphic design software like CorelDraw or Inkscape. Then, a laser beam cuts the image from or engraves it onto a surface—such as wood, glass, acrylic, leather, or fabric. There are endless possibilities to make beautiful things using this machine! You can make stamps, signs, ornaments and more!

Think of window decals, iron-on transfers for t-shirts, or peel-and-stick lettering and labels, and you’ll understand why our combination vinyl printer and cutter is so popular! This machine does double duty! It can print in full colour AND cut five types of vinyl-treated material. Bring a digital image, and you can make a vinyl printout.

This machine makes a printout of a three-dimensional design. Most of the projects made in our lab are created from design files that are available free on the Internet, so no computer or design experience is required. As the computer reads the design file, the printer makes a ‘printout’ by pushing a plastic thread through a hot nozzle. It carefully pipes the design in hundreds of layers of heated plastic that cool into a hard, three-dimensional object. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the Tinkercad project gallery. Printing even a tiny item takes many hours, so project size is limited to what can be completed during our open hours. We recommend attending a brief introductory session if you plan to use your designs with our printer. 3D printing is an exciting technology—we’re here to help you try it.

Hand embroidery is a skill that can take years to master. Not so with machine embroidery. This sewing machine makes surface designs with thread on cloth—all at the press of a button. Many designs are already programmed into the machine, and thousands of free ready-to-use patterns are on the Internet. You choose the design and colours, and we’ll thread the machine. Sit back and relax as it reads the digital file and stitches the pattern. We offer an optional instructional session if you want to use the embroidery machine on your own. Of course, you’re always welcome to drop by when the MakerSpace is open, and we’ll get you started.

This jumbo-sized printer/scanner produces high-resolution colour printouts up to 42” wide. So, when you’re tired of looking at bare walls, head into the MakerSpace with old maps, vintage posters, or favourite photos, and create some beautiful wall art! Remember, you must follow copyright laws when using the library, so make sure you have permission to print an image. You can find hundreds of open-source artworks online that you can download for free! We also have a large-bed scanner to create a digital image from a photo or a drawing.