Equipment
Specialty Printing & Cutting
At the Near North Makerspace, printing isn’t limited to documents; our specialty equipment is designed to help artists, makers, and entrepreneurs produce high-quality creative projects! From dye-sublimation transfers to large-format posters and precision vinyl cutting, we provide the tools you need to experiment, prototype, and create finished products.
Epson SureColor F570 – Dye Sublimation Printer
Professional-quality customization
The Epson SureColor F570 is a wide-format dye-sublimation printer that makes it easy to transfer vibrant designs onto a variety of specialty surfaces. Using heat and pressure, sublimation creates long-lasting prints that won’t peel or crack, making it a favorite for producing custom merchandise.
This printer is perfect for turning digital artwork into physical items such as t-shirts, mugs, signage, mousepads, fabric banners, and promotional items. Because the dye bonds directly to the fibers or coated surfaces, results are sharp, durable, and wash-safe.
Key Features
- 24-inch wide format printing for larger projects
- High-quality, durable prints with rich color
- Works with polyester fabric, coated mugs, metal panels, and more
- Ideal for apparel, signage, and personalized merchandise
Who It’s For
- Makers producing custom t-shirts, mugs, and gifts
- Artists and designers experimenting with new materials
- Educators or entrepreneurs offering small-batch merch
HP DesignJet Z6 Large Format Printer
Professional large-format printing for artwork, photography, and signage
The HP DesignJet Z6 is a professional large-format printer designed for high-quality posters, photographs, artwork, signage, and display graphics. Its wide-format capabilities and accurate colour reproduction make it ideal for producing large prints with sharp detail and vibrant results.
Whether you’re creating exhibition materials, promotional displays, presentation graphics, or photographic prints, the DesignJet Z6 provides professional-quality output for a wide range of creative projects.
Key Features
- Large-format printing for posters, artwork, and signage
- High-resolution output with accurate colour reproduction
- Supports a variety of paper and specialty media types
- Designed for photography, graphic design, and display production
- Produces professional-quality large-scale prints
Who It’s For
- Artists and photographers producing exhibition-quality prints
- Designers creating posters, signage, and display graphics
- Makers developing large-format creative projects
Geo Knight DK14S Swing Away Heat Press (12″ x 14″)
Professional heat pressing for apparel and custom merchandise
The Geo Knight DK14S Swing Away Heat Press is designed for applying sublimation prints and heat-transfer vinyl to apparel and other materials. Its swing-away design provides even pressure and easier material placement, making it ideal for custom t-shirts, tote bags, patches, signage, and personalized merchandise projects.
Key Features
- 12″ × 14″ pressing area
- Swing-away design for even pressure
- Adjustable temperature and timing controls
- Supports sublimation and heat-transfer vinyl workflows
- Built for consistent pressing results
Who It’s For
- Makers producing custom apparel and merchandise
- Artists experimenting with wearable design
- Students learning creative production workflows
Cricut Explore Air 2
Precision cutting for crafts and design
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a versatile cutting machine that makes it easy to create custom decals, heat-transfer designs, stencils, and craft projects.
Key Features
- Cuts over 100 different materials, including vinyl, cardstock, fabric, and HTV
- Fast cutting mode for quick production
- Bluetooth connectivity for wireless design uploads
- Works with Cricut Design Space for easy project setup
Who It’s For
- Makers creating custom vinyl decals and stickers
- Crafters designing greeting cards, stencils, or paper art
- Anyone interested in heat-transfer projects for fabric
Brother NQ3700D “The Fashionista 2” Sewing – Quilting & Embroidery Machine
Creative sewing, quilting, and embroidery in one versatile machine
The Brother NQ3700D “The Fashionista 2” combines sewing, quilting, and embroidery tools in one flexible creative workstation. It’s designed for custom apparel, decorative stitching, embroidery projects, and textile-based creative work.
Key Features
- Sewing, quilting, and embroidery functions in one machine
- Large touchscreen interface for design editing
- Built-in embroidery patterns and decorative stitches
- Supports custom embroidery workflows
- Designed for a variety of fabrics and textile projects
Who It’s For
- Makers creating custom clothing and textile art
- Artists exploring embroidery and fabric projects
- Beginners learning sewing and quilting
General Printing
For everyday needs, the Makerspace also provides access to standard printers and scanners. These machines are not as specialized as our sublimation, plotter, or Cricut, but they’re reliable for day-to-day printing tasks, test runs, and smaller creative projects.
Canon GX4020
A versatile inkjet printer suited for general documents, handouts, and quick color prints. Includes scanning and copying functions, making it useful for basic office tasks and preparing project drafts.
Best For: quick handouts, test prints, and general office use.
Epson XP-7100
A compact all-in-one printer designed for high-quality photos and smaller projects. With scanning and copying built in, it’s a convenient option for members who need fast, everyday output.
Best For: small creative projects, photos, and basic scanning/copying.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
For information on Membership fees please go to our Membership page
Can I take the equipment home?
The equipment is best enjoyed at the Makerspace and can't be taken home. If you wuld like to take equipment home with you, we recommend using our sister organization the Near North Mobile Media Lab for their extensive rental library.