Crafty

Desktop vinyl cutters are becoming a staple for libraries around the country. A beloved tool of crafters and hobbyists, these machines are no longer just for vinyl! They cut cardstock, iron-on paper, and other materials like leather as well, opening up a world of possibilities for you and your patrons. These machines are the Ellison die of the 21st century! If you’re thinking of purchasing one for your library, there are some things you should know.

The term “vinyl cutter” also applies to large format printers that print on vinyl — these are popular for businesses. You can also use the term “paper cutter” or “cutting machines” for the smaller machines we will be discussing.

There are different brands of vinyl cutters available, with the two most popular being Cricut and Silhouette. These machines come with their own web-based software and libraries of fonts and images. Many of those digital fonts and images will need to be purchased (they do not expire). If you plan to loan out one of these machines to patrons, you will want to encourage them to create their own accounts for these services.

Materials

There are a number of supplies needed for vinyl cutters, so be sure to consider this when you are looking at whether to purchase one. Here are just some of the supplies you can purchase:

• Cardstock & Paper: the most frequently used materials for these machines will be cardstock and other paper. This paper is specifically crafted for cutting machines, and come in numerous colors, thickness, and patterns. There are also specialty papers available, like scrapbook paper, sticker paper, 
• Vinyl: There are different types of vinyl available, including adhesive, removeable, foil,
• Iron-on paper: This paper helps transfer designs onto fabric.
• Transfer tape and paper: These materials will allow vinyl and other papers to be easily transferred onto different items and fabrics, and can actually be used more than once. You can also use regular contact paper.
• Markers: Markers can be used in place of blades to draw different designs.

Parts and Tools

Vinyl cutters come with many different parts, pieces, and tools to operate efficiently. It is important to remember that a number of these tools and pieces can be sharp. Here are some of the basics:

• Blades: these blades are the pieces of your machine that do the cutting! There are different types of blades for different materials and kinds of cuts, so check your manufacturer’s guides and tutorials on which blades you will need. It is also important to maintain and replace blades so that they do not get too blunt. Keep extra blades on hand.
• Cutting mat: These mats are where your design will be cut, so it’s important to keep them in good condition. They are sticky and come in different grip strengths. Many of these cutting mats are considered “self-healing.” Self-healing mats are usually made with rubber, and are designed to compress when a design is being cut. This helps prevent cuts from causing too much damage to the mat. However, over time, the mats will need to be replaced. Mats can be cleaned with non-alcohol wipes.
• Scraper and Spatula: these tools do exactly what they say! The scraper helps to quickly remove scraps and other debris from your cutting mat, and the spatula allows you to carefully lift a design from the mat.
• Weeding tools: The weeding tool is excellent for carefully lifting vinyl off the mat. Weeding tools come in a few different shapes, including tweezers to lift small pieces of vinyl, hooks for larger pieces, and a piercing tool — among others.

Software

Most vinyl cutter manufacturer’s will require you to use their own software and programs to work with their machine. These programs are generally web-based, but mobile apps will be available as well. These programs come with both image and font libraries to help you create designs. Some of these images and fonts are free, while others will not. You can also upload your own images and fonts, so you are free to design your own images in programs like Photoshop or Illustrator, or even free programs like InkScape. 

It is important to take some time and learn about the software that you are using, as there will be a slight learning curve. You will want to know how to upload and manipulate images and text; how to work with pre-made templates; how to use the canvas space given to you; and more. 

Like all technology, cutting machines require trial and error, patience, and lots of practice. Give yourself time to work with your new machine before you make it available to the public. Once you are ready, you will immediately see the fun your community can have!

Laminators are sometimes our most requested item for patrons to use! Whether you want a laminator for the library, or want to make one available, these machines are handy to have. Here are some basics on laminators for libraries.

There are two main kinds of laminators: hot and cold. Hot laminators use heat to melt adhesive and fuse together the material and plastic. They tend to be a little larger than cold laminators. Cold lamination uses pressure and adhesive to fuse items together, and can range in size. Which laminator you use or purchase will depend on what your laminating needs are.

Hot Laminators

Hot laminators area great choices for anyone looking for high quality and sometimes thick plastic lamination. The plastic available for hot laminators varies in size, thickness, and material, and the process itself is fairly quick. The materials for hot laminators are also less expensive than those available for cold laminators. However, because of the heated element, some inks and papers can be melted during the lamination process. During the heated lamination process, bubbles can also occur, meaning you might have to start over again. The process itself is simple, though you do need a little bit of time:

• Power on and heat up the laminator and wait about 10 minutes until it is heated
• Select the proper setting for the material you are using
• Place the item or items being laminated in the feeder, and run the lamination process
• Wait until the process is complete, then slide the blade to cut the plastic

Cold Laminators

Cold laminators are a logical choice for many, as they do not require any heat, they move quickly, and there are very few steps involved in the process. You also have more control over the process, as cold lamination generally involves a manual hand crank. However, materials for cold laminators are less varied than materials for hot laminators, and are also more expensive. Here is the easy cold lamination process:

• Place the items on the laminator feeder
• Use the hand crank to pull the items through
• Slide the blade to cut the plastic