MakerPlace

Imagine. Design. Make.

MakerPlace is our space for digital-assisted craft and design. Use our computer-controlled equipment to turn your ideas into reality. Here are just some of the exciting things you can do:
 

• Create personalised t-shirt or tote bag designs  
• Laser cut wood and acrylic designs 
• Create and produce 3D printed objects 
• Embroider with our computerised sewing machines
• Get hands on with coding and STEM projects

We run a range of exciting workshops and activities and if you'd like to use the equipment outside of a workshop, you can book a health and safety induction for each of the equipment you'd like to use.  

Who can use the MakerPlace?

The MakerPlace membership is available to anyone aged over 16. 16-18 year olds should be accompanied by an adult when using the equipment. Anyone under 16 can use equipment during library-run workshops and activity sessions.

You will need to be a member of the library (it's free to join). Unlike library membership, you will need to add photo ID to your membership. You will also need to attend one of our health and safety induction sessions to familiarise you with each piece of equipment you are interested in using.

After that, you can book to use equipment you have had an induction for, where available. If you need to learn how to create designs to use on the equipment, we recommend attending one of our workshops.

If you are a school or community group, please get in touch and we can deliver sessions tailored to you.

What equipment do we have?

Currently the equipment available for use includes:

• Epilog Helix 40W laser cutter
• Prusa 3D Printers
• Sawgrass Virtuoso A3 sublimation printer
• Stahl Clam Heat Press
• Cricut Maker Digital Cutters
• Cricut Hat Press
• Roland BN-20 Printer/Cutter
• Mug Press
• Janome Atalier 9 Sewing Machine
• Janome DC360 Sewing Machines

And more! Get in touch if you have any queries.

Where are we?

MakerPlace is in Central Library situated next to the Sound Gallery. We are open during regular library opening hours, however, equipment use and health and safety inductions are by appointment only. 

Maker Place room

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t-shirts and tote bags

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Maker Place room

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MakerPlace Equipment and Health and Safety Inductions  

Equipment and Design Programmes 

You must attend an induction session for each of the pieces of equipment you'd like to be able to book and use outside of a led workshop. Induction sessions offer a chance to see the equipment and MakerPlace, cover health and safety, our terms and conditions, use of the equipment materials and software required and any questions you may have. After attending an induction, you will then be eligible to make bookings on that equipment where available.  

Some of the pieces of equipment available for use in the MakerPlace require different design programmes. Here's a handy guide of the free programmes you may need to prepare your designs.  

Equipment: Cricut Maker and Maker 3 

Design programme: Cricut Design Space  

Equipment: Epilog Helix Laser cutter and engraver  

Design programme: Inkscape  

Equipment: Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printers and mini 3D printer 

Design programmes: TinkerCAD, Meshmixer, Blender  

File preparation: Prusa Slicer 

You may prefer to use your own design software to prepare designs if you have access. If you are unsure about preparing a design ahead of booking the equipment, please get in touch to discuss your project and the materials required for your project. We also have a limited number of laptops available to book with licensed software as follows: 

Equipment: Epilog Helix Laser cutter and engraver  

Design programme: CorelDraw 

Equipment: Janome Atalier 9 Sewing & Embroidery Machine 

Design programme: Hatch Embroidery  

Please only book a slot for 'MakerPlace members equipment booking' via Gateshead Libraries Eventbrite once your design is prepared for the machine you are booking.  

You can find tutorials and help on most of the design programme websites directly. We have also collected some helpful video tutorials on our Gateshead Libraries YouTube channel in the MakerPlace playlist.

Just a reminder that all materials must be purchased from the MakerPlace, you cannot bring your own materials to use unless agreed beforehand. Products produced in the MakerPlace must be for personal use only. You may use the equipment to create prototypes but any use of the equipment with the intention of selling products must be discussed with us in advance.