Maker Services
New at the branches:
All Washoe County Library branches recently received a set of Cricut machines to use for Maker events, library displays, and craft times. Branches will soon begin offering Cricut events at each branch, with opportunities to make bookmarks, keychains, mugs, tote bags, and other creative items.
Located on the fourth floor of the Downtown Reno Library, the Quad is Washoe County Library System's flagship makerspace.
A library makerspace provides an environment that nurtures learning and exploration, fosters innovation, and inspires creativity while cultivating 21st Century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and technical expertise. It is a social space where makers of all ages can gather, create, and invent in a collaborative environment.
The Quad features tools and materials that patrons can use free of charge. Every Wednesday from 3 to 6 pm the Quad is open to the public and is staffed by library employees and volunteers who offer assistance and instruction. On these afternoons we focus on projects using the heat press in combination with either the vinyl cutter or sublimation printer (on alternating weeks).
Heat Press
This HPN Signature Series heat press includes a digital timer and temperature gauge, gas shock opening mechanism, slide-out lower platen, and a magnetic auto-open release. Bring a T-shirt, towel, or canvas bag with a blank surface; print a graphic using our Roland vinyl cutter, and use the heat press to apply the design to your item.
Mug Press
The HPN Signature Series mug press can be used in combination with the sublimation printer to transfer full-color images onto a variety of metal and ceramic mugs. It accomodates standard 11 and 15 ounce mugs, as well as tall 17 ounce latte mugs.
Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 dye-sublimation printer can be used to print vivid designs that can be transferred to fabric, ceramic, metal, and other materials using a heat press. Bring a flash drive with a .jpg of your favorite photo, and create a coaster, metal bookmark, or mug.
Vinyl Cutter
Capable of cutting self-stick vinyl up to 24 inches wide, the Roland GS-2 can be used to make decals for car windows, walls, and almost any other surface. Or you can create a design that can be applied to a T-shirt or tote bad using the heat press. Vinyl is available in black, white, yellow, blue, orange, red, gray, green, and purple. Bring your own .jpg or .bmp image on a USB drive, or select one of our designs to try.
What can you do with a Cricut machine?
- Create beautiful greeting cards, stickers, holiday decorations.
- Create iron-on vinyl designs for T-shirts, aprons, shoes, and more, then use the EasyPress 2 or the Easypress Mini to adhere them.
- Create a colorful design with the Cricut Maker using infusible ink pens, then use the Cricut Mug Press to create a unique gift with your own original design on the mug.
- Create a one-of-a-kind tote bag with your personalized vinyl design on the bag.
- Make a sticker for your water bottle.
Check the Calendar of Events for upcoming Cricut events at your branch.
Cricut Machines at the Library
Cricut Maker
This versatile cutting machine cuts everything from paper and fabric to vinyl and cardstock. And cutting isn’t the only thing it can do, you can insert different color markers and pens to draw intricate designs on your material. Just think of all the possibilities for crafting and creating.
Cricut EasyPress 2
Combining the speed of a heat press and the convenience of an iron, the heat press makes easy work of iron-on transfers, heat transfer vinyl designs, and sublimation printing. Use the Cricut Maker to cut a design using heat transfer vinyl. Weed your vinyl design, then use the EasyPress2 to adhere the design to a t-shirt, apron, tote bag, and more.
Cricut Mug Press
The Cricut Mug Press takes the work out of guessing how much pressure and time to use on your sublimation mugs. You create the sublimation design using fusible ink on paper, tape the paper to the mug, then insert it in the press and close it up. That’s it! When it beeps, it’s done. Let the mug cool off for a while, then remove the paper to reveal a colorful, one-of-a-kind mug.
Cricut EasyPress Mini
This small press makes easy work of pressing designs on curved items such as hat visors, shoes and stuffed animals, and even gets in between buttons.
Cricut Links and Tutorials
Use Cricut’s Design Space to design and cut on the Cricket Maker. Sign up for a free Design Space account at design.cricut.com. Here are some useful Cricut videos:
There are a lot of designs you can purchase in Design Space, but there are also lots of free designs and ideas for using your Cricut. Here are a few links that we like:
- Jennifer Maker
- Abbi Kirsten's Freebie Vault
- Design Bundles
- SVGs Made Simple
- Rainbow Heart Shoes
- Yoda Paper Bag Puppet
- Fancy Paper Crowns
Materials housed within the library as well as graphics or illustrations obtained by patrons may be protected by copyright. Patrons are responsible for abiding by copyright restrictions and obtaining any necessary permissions when using those resources.
Find more library programs and events for all ages on our online calendar of events.
