Private Workshops
What can the IRL do for you?Looking to treat your team to a day at the IRL making custom screen printed tote bags? Want to reserve a spot for your club to learn how to 3D print? Reach out to us to arrange a private workshop for your group or organization. Read about our options below, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’ve got questions or are interested in exploring other options with us.
While all IRL materials and machines are free to use, we do charge for private workshops to account for staff labor and materials required to host. For a price quote and more information about our options, please reach out to us using the form found here.
Screen Printing
Screen printing workshops are great for large groups and team bonding, involving lots of hands-on making as attendees print on the material of their choice. This workshop can get a little messy, but staff will handle cleanup and teach techniques to minimize mess. Attendees can print as many copies of the artwork as they’d like within the time constraints of the event.
Workshop Length
- Between 1.5 and 2 hours in length depending on number of attendees and design complexity
Process
- This workshop encompasses the following: creation of design; vinyl cutting a mask from design; application of mask to screen; application of ink through screen onto material
- Attendees will learn the vinyl cutting process, how to create designs for screen printing, and proper heat curing and care of screen printed designs
Materials
- The IRL keeps poster paper on hand for screen printing workshops, and factors into workshop cost along with inks, vinyl, and any other materials used
- Materials such as t-shirts or canvas tote bags must be purchased by attendees prior to workshop if desired and are not available from the lab
Design Options
- Typical screen printing workshops involve attendees collaborating to choose a single-color piece of artwork to be printed
- If a group desires a custom-made design or a multi-color print (involving up to two colors maximum), they must provide their artwork to staff 48 hours prior to allow for preparation and design adjustments
- In addition, use of a two-color design will push the workshop time to 2 hours and possibly more depending on number of attendees, as well as possibly incur additional charges
Results
- Attendees will go home with a custom screen printed object of their own making on a material of their choice
3D Printing
3D printing workshops are good for groups of all sizes, and are accessible regardless of individuals’ experience with digital fabrication. These workshops are also great for team bonding and tend to be very collaborative. Depending on design complexity, attendees may need to return to the lab to pick up prints later.
Length
- 1 to 1.5 hours depending on number of attendees and complexity of design
Process
- This workshop encompasses the following: creation of a custom, personalized 3D model using TinkerCAD; the basics of 3D printing and printer usage; loading and printing of designs
Materials
- All materials are provided
Design Options
- Attendees will create simple 3D models with the assistance of a staff member in the online software TinkerCAD
- Depending on workshop size, attendees may be paired or grouped
- Designs can be customized in any way, but must be scoped to print within 15 minutes each
Results
- Attendees will go home with a custom 3D printed object of their choice
- If objects are larger and take longer to finish printing, the IRL will hold prints for attendees to pick up later
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer vinyl is best for small groups and those with an interest in digital fabrication. This workshop is not messy.
Workshop Length
- Between 1 and 1.5 hours in length depending on number of attendees and design complexity
Process
- This workshop encompasses the following: creation of design; vinyl cutting of design; application to fabric and heat-pressing
- Attendees will learn the vinyl cutting process, how to create designs for heat transfer, and proper and care of heat transferred designs
Materials
- All heat transfer vinyl and associated materials are included in the cost of the workshop
- Materials such as t-shirts or canvas tote bags must be purchased by attendees prior to workshop if desired and are not available from the lab
Design Options
- Typical heat transfer workshops involve use of preloaded, single-color vinyl designs to reduce wait times, but attendees who want custom designs should come prepared with their images
- The more visually complex the design is, the longer it will take to cut out and apply to the fabric; if each attendee wants a custom design, the workshop will last 1.5 hours or longer due to preparation of each artwork
- In addition, due to heat transfer press limitations, designs can only be made in a single color
Results
- Attendees will go home with a custom heat transferred vinyl design of their own making on a material of their choice
