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Warren County Public Library

Idea Lab @ Bob Kirby

Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | 2 pm. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming Classes & Events

Register for classes

For a full list of Idea Lab classes, please visit our class page or our events calendar.

Lab Features

What’s Inside:

Nidec Potter’s Wheel & Skutt Kiln
MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer
Carvey Tabletop CNC Router
Brother Sewing Machine
Badge-A-Matic Button Makers
USCutter SC Series Vinyl Cutter
AccuCut Die-Cut
Sawgrass Virtuoso Sublimation Printer
Volcano Heat Press
Brother Persona Embroidery Machine
HP DesignJet Poster Printer

Things You Can Create:

Mugs, vases, bowls, pendants
Game pieces, plastic prototypes
Plaques and signs
Bags, clothing, accessories
Pinback buttons from art/photos
Iron-on transfers, wall art, signage
Letters & shapes for scrapbooking
Ink transfer designs for fabrics
T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, mugs
Monogram shirts, towels, totes
Wall art, event posters

Designing & Preparing Files

»» Idea Lab Creative Resources: Check out our creative resources page with links to free design software, online retailers, and file-sharing sites and communities to assist with your Idea Lab projects.

MakerBot 3D Printer: You can submit a file to be printed via our online submission form. Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl or .obj file format. For more details, visit our 3D Printing page.

Carvey CNC Router: Our CNC router uses a free web-based platform called Easel. Carvey and Easel are both designed by Inventables. You will need an Inventables account to access the software. Easel allows you to create original designs, or you can import SVG files of your logo or vector design. Because Easel is web-based, you can create & save designs at home and then log in to your Inventables account in the Idea Lab to carve them.

Sawgrass Sublimation Printer: There is a laptop connected to our Sawgrass printer where you can download & edit your image files (JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.). You may also prepare designs at home and bring them in on a USB flash drive. Visit our creative resources page for links to free design software. The Sawgrass prints images on 8.5″ x 11″ sheets of transfer paper. For best results, use white polyester t-shirts or sublimation blank mugs.

USCutter Vinyl Cutter: Our vinyl cutter uses VinylMaster software to prepare, design, and cut files. VinylMaster is installed on a laptop in the Idea Lab for public use. VinyMaster allows you to create an original design to cut, or you can import a SVG file of your logo or vector design. You can save your VinylMaster files on a personal USB flash drive to access later.

Brother Persona Embroidery Machine: Only .pes, .phc and .dst embroidery data files can be used with this machine. The Idea Lab has BES 4 Dream Edition embroidery software for use in the makerspace. Create designs with this software using a lab computer then transfer the stitch file to the embroidery machine. You may also bring stitch files that you have created or purchased on a USB flash drive. You can also create designs directly on the embroidery machine using the touchscreen display of the Persona.

HP Poster Printer: Please bring your print-ready images on a USB flash drive. Designs should be sized at 11″ x 17″ or 24″ x 36″. Please make sure your designs are in JPG, PNG, or PDF format. Visit our creative resources page for links to free design software.

Material Costs

Prices do not include sales tax. Material costs are subject to change.

Buttons

  • 1.25″ button: $ .22 each
  • 2.25″ button: $ .25 each
  • 3″ button: $ .45 each

MakerBot PLA Filament

  • $.06 per gram of material used
    including rafts & supports

Carvey CNC Router

  • Two-color HDPE tiles: $2 each
    (size: 5.875″ x 5.875″ x .25″)

Embroidery Machine

All designs must use stabilizer. All designs on high-pile fabrics (towels, fleece, etc) must use stabilizer and topping.
  • Tearaway stabilizer: $1.50 per square foot
  • Heat N Stay fusible tearaway stabilizer: $1.50 per square foot
  • Water soluble topping: $1.50 per square foot
  • Heat N Gone topping: $1.50 per square foot
Vinyl

  • Removable Vinyl (24” wide): $1 per square foot
  • Permanent Adhesive Vinyl (24” wide): $$1 per square foot
  • Transfer Tape: $.11 per square foot
  • Heat Transfer Vinyl (10″ x 12″): $3 per sheet

Posters

  • 11″ x 17″: $2.50 each
  • 24″ x 36″: $5.00 each

Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

  • Heat Color Transfer Paper: $2 per sheet (8.5″ x 11″) 
  • Sublimation Blank Mug: $3 each

Pottery

  • Clay block: $5
  • Glazing per piece – small: $.25 / medium: $.50 / large: $.75
  • Scheduled Firing: FREE*

*Firings will be done twice a month. If you need something fired outside of those times, there will be a fee.

Guidelines for Usage

The Idea Lab is apart of the Bob Kirby Branch and the WCPL system. Therefore the same rules and code of conduct apply to it and its patrons. However, these guidelines are also in place due to the unique nature of the Idea Lab:

  • No food or drink are allowed in the Idea Lab.
  • The Library cannot be held responsible for when files do not print/cut correctly, pottery breaks, etc.
  • All children 12 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times.