CreateSpace@MPL

The Create Space at the Madison Public Library is focusing on the creators in the community. Our creators are artists, crafters, and small business owners. These creators may identify with more than one of these three labels simultaneously. We have a vibrant craft community who already call the library home as well as a vibrant art community via our partnerships with Rabbit Run Community Arts Association and the Madison Local Schools.

Createspace logo

Our goals are to cater to these groups: providing tools and materials that cannot be found elsewhere in the local community; leveraging economies of scale allowing expensive items to be owned and used by the larger community via the library; further growing the supportive, collaborative environment of creators that use the library as a gathering place.

This project is supported by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This Create Space will also allow patrons transform their lives at the library through exploring their creative passions for personal enjoyment or to create items to sell outside the library. Other similar spaces in libraries have become havens to the Etsy and craft show vendor communities and ours will not be any different. In an economy where many people are looking for jobs, the library’s create space is a unique opportunity for the unemployed or under employed to create a viable source of income with equipment that they could not purchase on their own. A vibrant local economy is not only good for the library it is essential for the future of the library in uncertain economic times

For further information about Create Space contact the library at 440-428-2189 or email info@madison-library.info.

C02 Laser Engravers (40w)

What Can You Do with a Laser Engraver?

The CreateSpace has two laser engravers.

  • Full Spectrum Laser Hobby Series 20” x 12” 40-watt Laser Engraver. This machine engraves materials up to 20″ x 12″ in size and cut through select materials up to 1/4” thick using the CreateSpace laser. Wood, leather, and rubber can all be cut and engraved using this laser unit. Painted or anodized metals, glass, marble, tile, and stone can be engraved as well.
  • Glowforge Plus This machine engraves materials up to 29.5″ x 11″ in size and cut through select materials up to 2” thick using the CreateSpace laser. Wood, fabric, leather, cardboard, plexiglass (acrylic), and rubber can all be cut and engraved using this laser unit. Glass, stone, rubber stamps, ceramic tile, anodized aluminum, and titanium can be engraved as well.

Equipment Availability

The Full-Spectrum Laser remains in the building and is available to run jobs during library hours. The Glowforge Laser is available for travel on Stan the Tech Van. When it is not on the Tech Van, it is in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for either laser’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files in either .png, .tif, or .jpg and during the consultation we will make sure the resolution of the image will work with the size engraving you would like to do. The file can be saved on a USB drive or an SD card.

What Can You Do with a Fiber Laser?

Galvo Divided Fiber Laser engravers are widely used in varies industries including jewelry, cell phone, keyboards, auto parts, electric appliances, kitchenware, knives, glasses, stainless steel products, electronic components, sanitary equipment, buckles, communication apparatus etc.

What makes this different than other lasers? Galvo Divided Fiber Laser engravers can quickly mark(laser ablation) and engrave very fine details using an optical fiber cable made of silica glass to guide light. The resulting laser beam is more precise than with other types of lasers because it is straighter and smaller. The name “Galvo” is short for Galvanometer, which uses mirrors that detect and redirect the laser beam into the focus lens at high speeds. The lens focuses it to a very fine point that can mark details so small you’ll need a microscope to see them. The Galvo fiber laser machines are smaller and more compact than a typical gantry style CO2 laser cutter and engraver, and they are able to mark and engrave metal, stone, and polymers unlike their CO2 counterparts. These environmental-friendly laser marking machines are applicable for both metal and nonmetallic materials, such as marking codes, decorative maps, LOGOs, serial numbers etc.

What materials can You Engrave on?

  • Acrylic
  • Hard Plastics
  • Brick
  • Granite
  • Marble
  • Tile
  • Aluminum
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Stainless Steel
  • Brass
  • Titanium
  • Tungsten

Equipment Availability

The Galvo Divided Fiber Laser is available for travel on Stan the Tech Van. When it is not on the Tech Van, it is in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for either laser’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files in either .png, .tif, or .jpg and during the consultation we will make sure the resolution of the image will work with the size engraving you would like to do. The file can be saved on a USB drive or an SD card.

What Can You Do with a Infrared Diode Laser? 

A 1064nm infrared laser is a great tool for engraving metal and other materials. The longer wavelength allows for more precise engraving. The laser beams emitted by the 1064nm infrared laser module are infrared light, which is invisible and therefore will not hurt your eyes. It can provide clear results on plastic without any burn mark.

What materials can You Engrave on?

  • Engrave on all metals, leather, opaque plastic, acrylic(black, red, green, orange), stone, paint glass, paint ceramics, circuit board.
  • All metals including gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum, zinc, titanium, iron, stainless steel, metal oxides and alloy.

 

Equipment Availability

The Infrared Diode Laser is available for travel on Stan the Tech Van. When it is not on the Tech Van, it is in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for either laser’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files in either .png, .tif, or .jpg and during the consultation we will make sure the resolution of the image will work with the size engraving you would like to do. The file can be saved on a USB drive or an SD card.

What Can You Do with a Blue Diode Laser?

A 455nm Blue Diode Laser laser is a great tool for engraving wood and other materials.

What materials can You Engrave on?

  • Engraves wood, leather, paper, cardboard, opaque acrylic ( black, brown, red, yellow, green), stone, paint glass, paint ceramics, stainless steel, titanium, iron, and aluminum oxide.
  • Works well on cutting a 12mm wood board and a 8mm black acrylic in one pass.

 

Equipment Availability

The Blue Diode Laser is available for travel on Stan the Tech Van. When it is not on the Tech Van, it is in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for either laser’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files in either .png, .tif, or .jpg and during the consultation we will make sure the resolution of the image will work with the size engraving you would like to do. The file can be saved on a USB drive or an SD card.

FDM 3D printer (Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF):

What Can You Do with a FDM 3D printer?

You can print a variety of objects using different types of plastic filament. Typically the library uses PLA food safe plastic filament, but there are also options of, ABS, HIPS, PETG, Wood and TPU filaments. The library has two single head FDM 3D printers. Printed objects can be 15.5” by 15.5” by 17”.

Equipment Availability

Both FDM 3D printers can be out in the community on Stan the Tech Van. When they are not out they will be set up in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for printer’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Print jobs are charge per milliliter of filament used. Before the job is printed, the amount of material used is calculated and shared before the object is printed.

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files a .stl and it can come on a USB drive or an SD card

What Can You Do with a Dual extrusion FDM 3D printer?

You can print a variety of objects using different types of plastic filament. Printed objects can be 330 x 240 x 300 mm.

Easy to print and visual quality:

  • PLA
  • Tough PLA
  • PETG

 

Mechanical strength:

  • ABS
  • PC
  • CPE

 

Wear resistance:

  • Nylon
  • PP

 

Chemical Resistance:

  • CPE
  • CPE+
  • PP
 
Heat resistance:
  • CPE+
  • PC

 

Flexibility:

  • TPU 95A
  • PCTPE
  • Kodak Flex 98

 

Reinforced composites:

  • Nylon Carbon Fiber
  • XT-CF20
  • PA-CF Low Warp
  • PLA + uDiamond

 

Support Materials:

  • PVA
  • Breakaway

 

Equipment Availability

This Dual extrusion FDM 3D printer remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can cut the size you would like. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for printer’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Print jobs are charge per milliliter of filament used. Before the job is printed, the amount of material used is calculated and shared before the object is printed.

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files a .stl and it can come on a USB drive or an SD card

SLA 3D printer (Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that use light-reactive thermoset materials.)

What Can You Do with an SLA 3D printer?

You can print a variety of objects using different types of UV resin. The library has two resin printers. Printed objects can be roughly 5” by 3” by 6.5”. After the objects are printed they are washed and cured.

Equipment Availability

Both SLA 3D printers can be out in the community on Stan the Tech Van. When they are not out they will be set up in the building. Library staff will consult with you about your job and run your job for you. Please call the library for printer’s availability as well as when you can make an appointment to speak with a staff member about your project. You can also meet with staff when they are out in the community with Stan the Tech Van. Typically jobs are run within 2 business days of the consultation.

How Much Does This Cost?

Print jobs are charge per milliliter of filament used. Before the job is printed, the amount of material used is calculated and shared before the object is printed.

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please provide files a .stl and it can come on a USB drive or an SD card

What can you make with a 3D Scanner?

What can’t you? This is how you can get a digital copy of just about any real-world object. This is especially helpful if you need to reverse engineer something. The digital copies can then be used to make these same objects with a 3D printer. Objects to be scanned are approximately 6.5” in diameter by 6.5” tall.

Equipment Availability

3D Scanner will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and there is a staff member available to get you started. Staff will be with you to help you get your item scanned.
The resulting scan from the 3D scanner will yield an .stl file that can be used in either the SLA or FDM 3D printers.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please bring your object, but if you do not want to send your resulting file to yourself via email, please bring a flash drive or sd card to take a copy of your file with you.

What can you make with the Vacuum former?

 You can use thermoplastic sheets to make unique molds of objects. These molds can be used to create custom chocolates, soap, formed puddings, or even the protective coverings of plastic packaging.

Equipment Availability

The vacuum former will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. There is a second machine that is in the building all the time, as well. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over what shape you would like to make and how it will work.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You can search for projects to be made with a vacuum former. This is also called thermoforming, so search using both vacuum forming and thermoforming.
Bring a object that will fit on the 200 mm x 200 mm plate. Height allowances vary.

Typically jobs can be done within a few minutes, if an appointment is scheduled ahead of time.

What can you make with the Pressure former?

The Mayku Multiplier is an industrial pressure former for desktop use that delivers injection-molded level of detail and accuracy. It has a large 400mm (⌀) x 160mm (H) forming volume, pressure forms 0.5mm – 5mm thick sheets up to 60 psi, and heats materials up to 200ºC in less than two minutes.You can use thermoplastic sheets to make unique molds of objects. These molds can be used to create custom chocolates, soap, formed puddings, or even the protective coverings of plastic packaging. Compatible Casting Materials: Concrete, Soap, Wax, Silicone, Foam, Chocolate, Jesmonite, Jello, Plaster, & Resin

Equipment Availability

The Pressure former will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over what shape you would like to make and how it will work.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

Molding sheets available 

  • PETG Transparent Sheet – 1mm sheet
  • HIPS Opaque Sheet – 1mm sheet
  • EVA Flexible Sheet – 1.5mm sheet
  • PMMA Optically Clear 3.00mm sheet
  • ABS Sheet Pack – 4.00mm sheet
  • UHMW Strong and Flexible 3.00mm sheet

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You can search for projects to be made with a Pressure former. This is also called thermoforming, so search using both pressure forming and thermoforming.
Bring a object that will fit on the 400mm (⌀) x 160mm (H) plate.

Typically jobs can be done within a few minutes, if an appointment is scheduled ahead of time.

What Can You Do with a Water Jet?

Cut almost any material with CNC precision and reliability. Waterjets overcome limitations of other cutting technologies, such as heat distortion, material limitations, and safety.

What materials can you cut?

  • Metal (steel, aluminum, titanium and more)
  • Composites such as carbon fiber
  • Tile including ceramic, marble, and granite
  • Glass for art or industrial applications
  • Soft materials including plastic, rubber, and foam

 

Equipment Availability

This water jet remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can cut the size you would like.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You will need to bring the material with you that you want worked on as well as a compatible file on a flash drive. The Wazer will use most files from a CAD programs, including .svg and .dxf files.

What can you make with the X-Carve

You can carve into wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metals up to 37 inches wide. You can make signs, home décor, and certain types of furniture of various complexity and depth.

Equipment Availability

The x-carve will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. It is run outside because of the dust generated in completing projects. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over your project plans with you.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the X-carve. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You will need to bring the material with you that you want worked on as well as a compatible file on a flash drive. The X-carve will use most files from a CAD programs, including .svg and .dxf files.

What Can You Do with a Large format CNC Router & Laser?

Cut almost any wood or acrylic up to 4×8 feet with CNC precision and reliability. You can make signs, home décor, and certain types of furniture of various complexity and depth.

Equipment Availability

The M2 Large format CNC Router & Laser remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can cut the size you would like.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the M2. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You will need to bring the material with you that you want worked on as well as a compatible file on a flash drive. The X-carve will use most files from a CAD programs, including .svg and .dxf files.

What Can You Do with a Cricut?

The library has two Cricuts which are computer controlled cutting machines. We have the Cricut Explore Air and the Cricut Maker. The Cricut takes paper, vinyl, or fabric up to 12” by 24”. All of your design work can be done at home through the Cricut Design Space app, so you can bring your materials here to cut your projects.

Equipment Availability

The Cricut Explore is always in the CreateSpace. The Cricut Maker can be taken out of the building on Stan the Tech Van, but it is available in the CreateSpace when not out of the building. If you have never used Cricut Design Space before, you may want to call and set up a Learning Coach appointment with a staff member to show you how to use the app. That can either be done in the building or at some stops with Stan the Tech Van. Once you have designed your project, call the library to make sure a cricut machine is available to use at a location you can get to. If you have not cut with the cricut before, you will want to ask if there is a time that a staff member will be around to help you get your project set up to cut.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the machine. The library provides the mats and blades. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You provide the paper, vinyl, or fabric. If you are going to add writing, you would need to provide appropriate Cricut markers. Your project will be kept in your Cricut Design Space app. This is transmitted via Bluetooth to the Cricut machines, and via a cord from a laptop.

What can you make with the 24” vinyl cutter?

You can cut graphics on vinyl up to 24” wide. If you are familiar with a cricut machine, this is a similar machine but can cut much larger projects.

Equipment Availability

The vinyl cutter will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can print the size you would like.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

When you come to have a print done, bring your file (Ideally bring a .tif or .jpg file for printing), either on a flash drive or SD card as well as you vinyl.

What can you make with an Accucut?

An Accucut is a die-cutting machine. The library has a quite a few shapes and letters available to use. We also have the option to try to borrow shapes from other library, given enough lead time. You can cut multiple sheets of paper, a single piece of felt, or a single piece of polyfoam at a time. The roller pressure is pre-set so each cut is as easy as the first. Simply turn the handle and roll through as many as two dies in a single pass.

Equipment Availability

The Accucut is available anytime the building is open. Please call ahead so a staff person can be ready to help you get started on your project. You may want to stop in first to see what shapes and letters the library has available and then create your project from there.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the machine. You need to bring your own paper, foam, or felt to cut out.

What can you do with a laminator?

Laminators are a way to encase documents in some type of plastic covering. Using either a hot or cold roll laminator can determine what types of documents should be laminated with what type of machine. The library has three different types of laminators. One is a pouch laminator that uses both heat and pressure to encase different sized documents in plastic. The library has pouches for business cards, 3”x5” cards, regular, legal, ledger sized. Another type is the cold laminator. This uses simply adhesive and any thickness paper to protect documents without harming them in the process. The can take items up to 12” wide and almost any length. The final type of laminator the library owns is the heated roll laminator. This can laminate items approximately 24” wide and just about any length.

Equipment Availability

At least two of the laminators are always in the building. While its possible the pocket and/or cold laminator could be taken out of the building on Stan the Tech Van for specific events, usually they are in the building. However, if you would like to get something laminated, particularly if it is with the hot roll laminator, please call ahead to see that there is a staff member available to assist you. Additionally, with the hot roll laminator, it takes 20-30 minutes to heat up before use, so please plan to call ahead.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Please bring the items to the library or outreach location ready to laminate. If you plan to have multiple items laminated in either the hot or cold roll laminators you will receive them in one long roll of plastic. You can always borrow scissors to cut the items apart.

What can you make with a button maker?

The library has three sizes of button makers. We have 1 1/4”, 2 ¼”, and 3” diameter machines. We also have the cutters to cut your images to the correct size to make the buttons. Ideally designs for buttons are made on regular weight copy paper, as opposed to card stock or photo paper. Designs can be printed or hand-drawn. Heavier or lighter weight papers can be used but they may not compress completely in the machine.

Equipment Availability

The button machines will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machines will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machines are available to use and there is a staff member available to get you started. Staff will show you how to complete a first button, but you will be able to do the remain buttons on your own and generally at your convenience if the machine is available.

Using the Button Maker

You can stop in ahead of time to pick up templates for different sized buttons if you would like to create your own designs free-hand for buttons. The library had circle cutters the necessary size for each button machine. You can bring your images and cut them to size before making the buttons. Again, just check to make sure that the cutters and machines are available. If you are getting images from online or email, staff can help you get items downloaded and printed if necessary. There is a cost to print either black and white or color pages at the library, and staff can help you with that when you come in.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What can you make with the Heat press?

More than just custom t-shirts! You can make custom hats, mugs, glasses, and other fabric items like canvas totes.

Equipment Availability

The heat press will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over your project plans with you.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the heat press itself. However, depending on what materials you are pressing a design on, you may decide to have the design printed here. It is $0.10 per paper to print a black and white design and $0.25 to print color. Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

If you are going to be printing the design at the library, ideally bring a .png, .tif or .jpg file for printing. We can work with a raw or pdf as well.

You would need the item or items you are going to be heat pressing on.

If you are printing at the library, you will need to bring paper to print on.

  • Water transfer paper for an inkjet printer would be used to make heat press projects on glass.
  • Inkjet transfer paper for fabrics, and depending on the color fabric you may decide to get paper for light or dark fabrics.
  • Sublimation paper for use with ceramics

What can you make with the Sublimation Printer?

This printer uses sublimation ink to go on sublimation paper to make heat transfers onto sublimation materials like glass or ceramics.

Equipment Availability

The printer will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over your project plans with you.

How Much Does This Cost?

It is $0.10 for each black and white print and $0.25 for each color print. Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

  • Ideally bring a .png, .tif or .jpg file for printing. We can work with a raw or pdf as well.
  • You will also need to bring sublimation paper with you to print on.

What can you make with the Inkjet Photo Printer?

This printer can be used to print photographs or to make prints to be used with the library’s heat press on t-shirts and other fabrics.

Equipment Availability

The inkjet printer will be out on Stan the Tech Van almost every time the vehicle is out in the community. However, when the van is not out, the machine will be in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over your project plans with you.

How Much Does This Cost?

It is $0.10 for each black and white print and $0.25 for each color print. Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL. 

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

  • Ideally bring a .png, .tif or .jpg file for printing. We can work with a raw or pdf as well.
  • You would need to bring Water transfer paper for an inkjet printer would be used to make glass or ceramics.
  • Inkjet transfer paper for fabrics, and depending on the color fabric you may decide to get paper for light or dark fabrics.

What can you make with UV Flatbed Printer?

  • Print Colourful Images on Demand and on Almost Anything: Premium-quality photographs, graphics, and text on almost anything. Unlike other inkjet printers, ECO-UV ink, now available in 500cc cartridges, is cured instantly on the surface of the material, allowing you to print directly onto PVC and plastics, canvas, wood, leather, fabric, etc. White ink is also available to ensure that colors pop on dark or clear substrates. Optional primer ink cartridge provides increased ink adhesion on substrates like acrylic and glass.
  • Print Gloss and 3D Embossed Finishes: In addition to full-color printing, you can produce premium quality gloss and matt finishes as well as amazingly lifelike textures including simulated 3D embossing with multiple layers of clear ink. Seventy-two ready-to-use texture patterns are included to use immediately after installation, or you can create your own special effects.
  • From Hard to Soft Materials and From Flat to Curved Objects: Capable of stretching around the most complex corners and curves as well as printing on soft materials such as leather and fabric, advanced Roland ECO-UV ink formulations are designed for both flexibility and beautiful imaging. Materials up to 200 mm thick can be loaded.

Equipment Availability

This printer remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can print the size you would like.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

If you are printing a photo you can also search the size megapixels a camera has to determine what its image resolution is for printing. Ideally bring a .tif or .jpg on a flash drive or sd card with the file or files to print.. We can work with a raw or pdf as well. Then a staff person can look at your files and make sure the resolution and size will print as you would like.

What can you make with Large-Format Inkjet Printer/Cutters?

  • Professional Signs, Banners, and Promotions Print and cut signs, banners, posters, displays, and other roll-fed graphics.
  • Professional Labels and Packaging Effectively produce high-quality labels and packaging with the VG3’s advanced Print /Cut function. With the perf-cut function, you can produce die-cut labels without the need for trimming.
  • High-Quality Window Graphics Produce sharp, vibrant, and on-brand graphics for high-quality window applications. With eight new color configurations and exceptional media flexibility, add reverse print window graphics onto a huge range of clear media for retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other locations.
  • Custom Stickers and Decals The VG3 represents our best TrueVIS technology for non-skew, unattended production of high-quality stickers and decals.
  • Vehicle Graphics for Fleet and Consumer The VG3 with highly durable TR2 ink is the best choice for wraps, partial wraps, and other vehicle graphics. Achieve exact brand color consistency on fleet graphics and produce bold, exciting vehicle graphics every time.
  • Customized Apparel Making short-run graphics for heat-transferring onto t-shirts, sweaters, bags, and more has never been easier with the VG3. Print and cut vivid graphics for artistic applications or perfectly branded graphics for company accessories and apparel.
  • Floor Graphics Produce robust floor graphics for social distancing or promotional applications on VG3 series printers/cutters, using the latest media. Create highly visible floor signage in stores and businesses that stand out with incredibly smooth and bright colors.
  • Canvas Graphics Print designs directly onto specially formulated fine art canvas media.

 

Equipment Availability

This printer remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can print the size you would like.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

If you are printing a photo you can also search the size megapixels a camera has to determine what its image resolution is for printing. Ideally bring a .tif or .jpg on a flash drive or sd card with the file or files to print.. We can work with a raw or pdf as well. Then a staff person can look at your files and make sure the resolution and size will print as you would like.

What can you make with wide format printer?

You can create color posters up to 36” by 120”. You can print photo quality images on glossy or matte paper. We can also print individual sheets that are 36” by 48”.

Equipment Availability

This printer remains in the library, but you do need to call ahead and set up an appointment to have a staff member check the image and make sure it can print the size you would like.

How Much Does This Cost?

Click here to view the current costs to use the CreateSpace@MPL.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

If you are printing a photo you can also search the size megapixels a camera has to determine what its image resolution is for printing. Ideally bring a .tif or .jpg on a flash drive or sd card with the file or files to print.. We can work with a raw or pdf as well. Then a staff person can look at your files and make sure the resolution and size will print as you would like.

What can you make with the Sewing Machine?

Do you need to hem a pair of pants or shorten a dress. Do you need to fix a seam? You can sew most anything with this small, versatile sewing machine.

Equipment Availability

The sewing machine lives in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use. Staff are not available to help with sewing projects. You will need to know how to thread the bobbin and get the machine working.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the machine.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

Bring your item to sew and the thread you want to use. You will end up loading it on the sewing machine bobbin before you get started.

What can you make with the Type writer and Comb Binder?

You may think you don’t need either of these items, but you may. And the library had them! There are still some occasions where a form may be best typed but it’s not something that is available on a computer. Use the typewriter. The comb binder is a way to bind up to 300 sheets in a 1-1/2” comb. It punches 18 sheets at a time, and you end up with a neat and organized collection of papers. Sometimes a stapler just won’t work, but this machine can bind presentations, reports, or just about anything paper related.

Equipment Availability

The typewriter and comb binder live in the library. Please call or come in the library to make sure the machine is available to use and to set up an appointment to have a staff member go over your project plans with you.

How Much Does This Cost?

There is no cost to use the machine.

What Do I Need to Have With Me?

You do need to purchase your own combs and protector sheets if you are planning to use the comb binder, and bring your own paper if you are going to be typing on the typewriter.

General Guidelines

CreateSpace@MPL users must have a library card and a signed equipment waiver.

  • Patrons wanting to use the Create Space must come to the public services desk to check-out desired equipment.
  • Staff is available to assist in explaining operation of tools and equipment, and will make available upon request materials such as manuals if they are available.
  • Patrons with disabilities who need special arrangements or accommodations are requested to notify staff as far in advance as possible before their expected time of use.
  • Projects and materials may be subject to approval by staff prior to use of machinery.
  • Tools and equipment are available to makers on a first come, first served basis and may not be available if in use for patron training by a learning coach. Please call ahead for machine availability.
  • The library does not accept responsibility if a project is destroyed, does not print correctly, or does not work.
  • Use of the Create Space is free. Use of some equipment and materials, however, may be subject to a fee.
  • Some machines require the creator to bring in his/her own materials for use. Staff must approve all user-supplied materials before they are used on equipment, to reduce risk of damage to equipment or harm to users within the create space.
  • All equipment available in the Create Space must stay within the library.

The library will not refund any monies paid out for consumable material, in the event that a project is not completed to the creator’s satisfaction.

Create Space Behavior Expectations

  • Madison Public Library’s Behavior, Technology, and Unattended Child policies apply to the Create Space.
  • If a creator sees that any tool or piece of equipment is unsafe or in a state of disrepair, the creator must immediately discontinue use of the tool and notify MPL staff.
  • The creator must report any accident or incident that occurs in the Create Space to a staff member.
  • If you see unsafe behavior by anyone, please let staff know.
  • Tools used must be returned by the creator to their original location in a clean state. The workspace also needs to be cleaned before the creator leaves.
  • The creator agrees that MPL is not responsible for any manufacturing defects or the quality or workmanship of any of the tools, materials or equipment supplied by MPL, or for the quality or condition of a user’s project.
  • The creator agrees to take precautions to avoid causing unnecessary mess or damage in the Create Space or to equipment.
  • The creator (or, if a minor, his parent or guardian) is responsible to pay any charges or fees for use of equipment, material and supplies provided by the library, and for all loss or damage to library property or clean-up expense. The library is not responsible for any damage to, or loss or theft of, the creator’s property.
  • Creators must save their work on an external memory source — external hard drive, CD, DVD, or flash drive.
  • It is the responsibility of the creator to delete and/or remove any files (digital or print) from the library equipment in the Create Space. The library is not responsible for equipment or files (digital or print) left behind by creators.

    • Creators may not use the Create Space equipment to create any object (s) that:
      is unlawful, threatening, abusive, obscene, or racially or ethnically objectionable;
    • is intended to physically harm, or attempt to harm, an animal or person in any way;
    • infringes upon a patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights of any party unless consent from the rights-owner has been obtained. The Copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.


Tool and Material Donation Guidelines

Madison Public Library accepts new or gently used donations of the following items:

  • Tools in clean and good working condition
  • Consumable material that is relevant to programs being offered in the space


Donations are greatly appreciated. Staff reserves the right to decline donations as well as remove those that no longer support Createspace activities.

Create Space Cost

1.25 Inch Button – 50¢
2.25 Inch Button – 50¢
3 Inch Button – 75¢

Cold Laminations – 10¢ /inch
36″ Hot Roll Lamination – 10¢ /inch
Ledger Pocket Hot Lamination – $2 /ea.
Letter/Legal Pocket Hot Lamination – $1 /ea.
3×5 Pocket Hot Lamination – 25¢ /ea.
5×7 Pocket Hot Lamination – 35¢ /ea.
Business Card Pocket Hot Lamination – 25¢ /ea.

Patron provides cutting material

Cricut Cutting – Free
AccuCut Cutting – Free
Roll Vinyl Cutting <= 24″ – 20¢ / linear inch
CNC Carving <= 24″ – $5 /item
CNC Carving >= 36″ – $10 /item
Heat Transfer Vinyl, 12″ x 12″, various colors – $3.00 /ea.
Water Jet Cutting – $15/hr.

Laser engraving natural materials – $10 /item
Laser engraving other materials – $5 /item
Laser Ink for Metals & Glass Marking – 25¢ /item

Vacuum molding plastic‎ sheet – $1.50 – $6.00 per sheet
Pressure molding plastic‎ sheet – $6.50 – $26.50 per sheet

Wide format Paper Printing <= 36″ – 50¢ per sq. foot matte paper , 75¢ per sq. foot glossy paper
Printing for Sublimation B&W – $1.25 per sheet
Printing for Sublimation Color – $1.50 per sheet
3D printer Resin (SLA) – 20¢ per mL 
Other resins – 50¢ per ml
3D printer Filament (FDM) PLA – 20¢ per gram
Other Filaments – 50¢ per gram
Wide format Material Printing/cutting  >= 54″ All 54″ Print vinyl – $4.00 per linear foot 
All Print Vinyl under 54″ Wide  – $2.00 per linear foot 
All 54″ canvas – $10 per linear foot 
All canvas under 54″ Wide – $8 per linear foot 
UV Printing <= 12″ x “12 0-5.0 mL – $2.50 
For each additional increment of 5cc used, you are charged another $2.50 per each additional 5cc.
 
MFD Printing / folding / binding
B&W 8½” x 11″ & 8½” x 14″ – 10¢ /per side
Color 8½” x 11″ & 8½” x 14″ – 25¢ /per side
B&W 11″ X & 17″ – 20¢ /per side
Color 11″ X & 17″ – 50¢ /per side
Digital Scans to USB – Free
Faxing – Free
Folding – Free
Stapling – 5¢ /per packet

At the discretion of staff a $7.00 design fee can be assessed for jobs requiring extensive graphics/design work.

At the discretion of staff a $4.00 fee can be assessed for jobs involving multiple parts or extensive processing of the job.

At the discretion of staff a $1 – $5 setup charge fee can be assessed for the preparation and/or monitoring of the equipment needed for your project

The Library will be closed today

We apologize for any inconvenience.