Maker Bar

Located at the Eastside Branch, our Maker Bar offers a range of creative tools including a laminator, button makers and the versatile Cricut Maker, designed to empower your crafting and DIY projects with precision and ease.

The Maker Bar at the Eastside Branch with the laminator, button makers and Cricut sitting on the counter.
Button machines with various supplies sitting on a counter.

Button Maker

Button makers are easy to use and fun for both teens and adults. Design your buttons using any preferred design program, print your graphics on an inkjet or laser printer, cut them out, and press them into buttons using WPL’s 2.5 inch or 1.5 inch button maker machines.

Cost

  • 1.5″ buttons = $0.50 each
  • 2.5″ buttons = $1.00 each

Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the button maker. No new projects can be started within 30 minutes of the library’s closing time.

  • Button Maker Instructions

    Materials must be purchased from staff before using the machines.

    Using the Button Design Punch

    • Insert artwork into the punch (artwork may need to be trimmed down before inserting)
    • Press the red handle down to cut
    • Raise the red handle to release the artwork

    Using the Button Press 

    • On the left:
      • Insert the shell curved side up
      • Lay your artwork on top
      • Lay a single layer of mylar (clear plastic) on top of the art
      • Press down on the handle (this half of the button will stay in the machine)
    • On the right:
      • Insert pinback pin side down
      • Press down on the handle (the completed button will re-emerge after second press)

    Watch a Video Tutorial

  • Important Usage Rules & Information
    • Only button supplies sold by WPL may be used with the machines.
    • Customers will need to purchase button supplies from staff before they begin to use the button makers.
    • The see-through mylar covers for the buttons tend to stick together. Ensure only 1 is used at a time by pinching and sliding them apart. If you try to press a button with more than 1 mylar cover, the button maker will jam.
    • The button backs may also stick together – please ensure you are using only one button back at a time otherwise they can jam the machine.
    • The press is stiff to use, however a jam will prevent ANY movement from happening. If you think you have a jam, stop and assess. 
    • If the button maker jams, it is out of order until WPL can repair it.
    • Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the button maker.

Laminator

A laminator protects your documents with a thin plastic cover using heat, pressure, and rollers. Simply place your paper between plastic sheets, feed it into the machine using the carrier and enjoy water-resistant, durable documents. It’s an easy way to keep your important papers safe from damage.

Cost

  • 5 millimeter plastic pouch = $0.50 each

Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the laminator. No new projects can be started within 30 minutes of the library’s closing time.

ULINE industrial laminating machine with plastic pouches and cardboard carrier.
  • Laminator Instructions

    Materials must be purchased from staff before using the machine.

    Carrier (cardboard sleeve) MUST be used.

    1. Turn on unit (green button).
    2. Ensure temperature dial is set in the 2-3 range.
    3. Wait for the orange button to start flashing (this means the unit is up to temperature).
    4. When the orange button flashes, press it to turn on the rollers.
    5. Insert the item you want to laminate into the laminating pouch, and then put the pouch into the cardboard carrier so the pouch is not visible.
    6. Insert the carrier into the front of the unit until the rollers catch it and pull it in on their own.
    7. Wait for the carrier to fully emerge from the rear of the unit before removing.
    8. When done, turn off both the orange and green buttons.

    Read Manufacturer Instructions

    Watch a Video Tutorial

  • Important Usage Rules & Information
    • Cardboard carrier MUST be used AT ALL TIMES. Failure to do so may result in damage to the machine.
    • ONLY lamination pouches sold by WPL may be used. Pouches brought in from outside sources cannot be used.
    • Laminating is only available in letter size (plastic pouches are all 8.5×11).
    • Customers will need to purchases pouches and obtain the cardboard carrier from staff before they can begin to use the laminator.
    • Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the button laminator.
Cricut Maker with coloured paper and various tools.

Cricut Maker

The Cricut Maker is a versatile cutting machine perfect for creating paper crafts, custom apparel, and more. With no design experience required, you can easily bring your creative projects to life.

Customers must have a valid Waterloo Public Library card to use the machine. Users will be required to exchange their library card for a Cricut tools and a laptop.

Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the Cricut Maker. New projects are not permitted to begin started within 30 minutes before library closing.

  • Cricut Maker Instructions

    Waterloo Public Library has a subscription to Design Space, the software used for Cricut designs. This software will give you access to over 1.5 million images, 1000+ fonts and 100,000+ ready to make projects.

    If you have your own Design Space account it may be used instead of the WPL account.

    When You Arrive at the Library:

    1. Check in with staff to borrow tools and and an instruction sheet for the Cricut machine (have your library card ready).
    2. Create or download a design from Design Space.
    3. Load your material.
    4. Print your design.

    Want to learn more? Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the Cricut Machine and what it can do.

  • Important Usage Rules & Information
    • In order to use the machine, customers will need to exchange a library card for a basket of supplies/tools.
    • Customers are welcome to bring in their own laptop/tablet from home to use with the Cricut and will be responsible for their own tech support, including diagnosing issues with the software and connecting to the Cricut Maker.
    • Customers will be responsible for bringing in their own materials aside from a limited amount of standard-weight coloured paper.
    • Customers are responsible for cleaning up the work area, tools and machine before returning to staff to retrieve their library card.
    • Customers must be 13 years of age or older to use the Cricut Maker.

Interested in 3D Printing?

Transform your ideas into reality with 3D printing at the library. Print your designs directly from one of the computers in our Gamerspace and watch your creativity come to life.

Learn more