Introduction
Located on the third floor of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, the Knowledge Lab is a campus space dedicated to multimodal scholarship, an environment where students and faculty can explore how the choice of format shapes the creation process and how audiences receive and interpret information and knowledge. With tools such as a vinyl cutter, sewing machines, a Riso printer, podcast booth, heat presses, yarns, fabrics, cardboard, and more, the Lab supports low-stakes experimentation across materials and media. It invites the Purdue community to test ideas, translate coursework and research into diverse forms, and consider how different modes of making—from audio to print to textiles—generate new ways of thinking and communicating. It often serves as an early-stage site for imagining and iterating on projects before they move into more specialized production spaces elsewhere on campus.
Hours and Location
WALC 3007
340 Centennial Mall Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Fall 2025 Hours
Monday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am-3:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Upcoming Modified Hours:
December 8th: 9:00am-6:00pm
December 9th: 9:00am-5:00pm
December 10th: 9:00am-6:00pm
Fall 2025 Finals Week Hours:
Monday-Thursday, Dec. 15th-18th: 9:00am-7:00pm
Friday, December 19th: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed for Winter Break Dec. 20th-Jan. 4th
Drop-ins welcome, no appointment necessary.
The Knowledge Lab will occasionally be closed for holidays and events. Please see Library Hours for the most up-to-date information.
Check out last year’s zine, How To: Vol. 1 “Beginnings”
Equipment and Tools Available to Borrow
Workshops and Events
What’s Available in the Lab:
Click on each arrow for more information on the equipment and materials in the lab.
Sawgrass Dye-Sublimation Printer
Dye-sublimation is a printing process that uses heat to transfer a design onto a material such as t-shirts, mugs, coasters, etc. This is a two-step process: step 1 is printing a design on a specialty transfer paper with the Sawgrass printer, step 2 is heat-transferring the printed design onto the material.
Only materials created for dye-sublimation can be used- at least 65% polyester fabric, dye-sublimation polyester coated ceramics or aluminum, etc.
We have 8.5x11in and 11x17in transfer paper available for free, the maximum monthly allotment is 10 sheets. If you are doing a larger project, please provide your own sublimation paper.
SF5130 Risograph Printer
Risograph printing is a mechanical alternative to screen printing, in which colored layers of ink are spot-printed onto
paper. The RISO machine internally creates a stencil that is laid onto a drum filled with ink, which then spins at high
speed and forces the ink through the stencil onto paper. The Risograph resembles in some ways a Xerox machine, although unlike other forms of printing it is not restricted to the use of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow or Black colors: rather, a wide range of idiosyncratic colors can be used for expressive possibilities.
Please review our LibGuide: Risograph Printing in the Knowledge Lab for full information on how the risograph printer works, paper requirements, print minimums, color options, and more.
The riso printer requires training before use, please contact Knowledge Lab Manager, Patricia Swanson (paswanso@purdue.edu), to set up a training appointment.
Roland VersaStudio BN-20A Sticker Vinyl Printer
Sticker Printing Guide and Reservation page
Sticker printing requires a sticker file submission and reservation approval prior to use (see guide for more details). Our material comes on 18in wide rolls, the maximum allotment for individuals and clubs/groups is 36 linear inches per month.
Cricut Maker 3 Cutting Machines
We have three Cricut Maker 3 machines, two machines connected to computers and one machine available to connect to a personal computer with usb. Cricut machines can cut designs into paper, vinyl, fabric, and other materials using the Cricut Design Space software.
There is cardstock, permanent vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl, and infusible ink available. The maximum allotment for vinyl and infusible ink is 12x24in a month.
Rapid Prototyping Materials
We have a wide range of supplies available for designing and creating, including cardboard, wooden dowels, construction paper, drawing supplies, rulers, glue and hot glue guns, scissors, xacto knives, and other craft supplies.
We also have breadboards, tools, circuit boards, cables, connectors, and other basic electronic supplies for Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
Podcast Booth
Podcast Booth Reservation Page
Our podcast booth is for audio and video recording only and requires a reservation (see link for more details).
Four RODE Procaster Microphones and four headphone sets.
RODECaster Pro Soundboard, microSD card and SD card adapter.
Three Sony a6400 4K cameras for video recording.
Two LED Lights.
Sewing Machines
We have 5-6 sewing machines available at any time including two Singer Heavy-Duty and four Brother ST531HD.
There is thread, fabric, fabric scissors and rotary cutters, irons and ironing boards, and other sewing notions available for use. We also have two adjustable dress forms and one size 14 dress form available.
Advanced Textile Machines
The Knowledge Lab has a Bernette b64 Serger Sewing Machine and a Bernina b500 Embroidery Machine, both machines require a reservation. Please review the LibGuides below for the full details for each machine, tutorials, and reservation page.
Knowledge Lab Serger Machine
Knowledge Lab Embroidery Machine
Knitting, Crochet, and Embroidery Supplies
There are knitting needles (straight and circular), crochet hooks, embroidery hoops, and embroidery needles of various sizes available as well as a yarn swift and yarn ball winder.
There is a wide variety of various yarns and embroidery floss available as well.
Button Makers
There are 1in and 1.5in button makers with all supplies provided for free. The maximum allotment is 100 buttons a month for individuals and clubs/groups.
Want to print your button designs? Download our templates to make sure your designs are sized correctly- instructions are included on template.
Heat Presses
Our heat presses can be used with any heat-transfer material including heat-transfer vinyl, dye-sublimation paper, and Cricut Infusible Ink.
Cricut 15inx12in Autopress for t-shirts and tote bags.
Cricut EasyPress 9x9in and press mat.
Cricut Mug Press for 11-16oz straight-walled mugs.
PYD Life Pro Max Tumbler Press for 20oz straight-walled tumblers.
Book Making and Other Presentation Materials
We have various tools, equipment, and supplies for zine making, booklets, and other paper presentation forms.
Fellows A3 Laminator with 9x12in and 11×17 lamination sheets.
GBC CombBind C110 with 3/8in and 1in plastic spines.
MakeEasy Binding Machine with 6mm and 12.5mm wire spines.
Wax thread, hole punching jigs, and other sewn binding supplies and tools.
Regular and long-reach staplers.
Clear tape and double-sided tape.
Want to put a custom design on a T-shirt?
Review our t-shirt printing guide to figure out which process is the best for you and step-by-step instructions. Note: The lab has the equipment and tools needed but patrons must provide their own t-shirts, tote bags, or other materials they wish to use.
How to Make a Custom T-Shirt in the Knowledge Lab
Materials and supplies are free:
These supplies are provided for your convenience. While we attempt to provide a variety of materials for you, we do not guarantee that any material or color of material will be in stock at any given time. Free materials are for use in the Knowledge Lab with the equipment provided. If a project requires a larger amount of materials that exceeds our monthly allotments, Knowledge Lab staff can provide you with information on recommended materials and suppliers.
About Us
Sarah Huber
Associate Professor of Library Science
Director of the Knowledge Lab
What most excites me about the space are the ways in which students and faculty will experiment with what we consider knowledge and scholarship. If a student is assigned a presentation to deliver content, maybe typically they would create a PPT. This could be an effective way to deliver the content, but maybe after the student has tried our Riso printer or tested the podcast booth, they choose to tell a story through a booklet or an audio recording where they incorporate interviews, maybe even use stop-motion photography with cardboard designs they’ve made. The possibilities are endless. I am ready to be amazed by the creations and conversations the space will spark across campus.
Patricia Swanson
Knowledge Lab Manager
MFA in Photography
Prior to joining the team at the Knowledge Lab, I was an adjunct professor teaching in the arts for eight years. What I love most about working with students and faculty is enabling them to explore hands-on and alternative forms of scholarship and creatively problem solve how to use different tools and materials to bring their ideas to life. As an artist and educator, I recognize the importance of needing a space where one feels free and safe to experiment, make mistakes, and push themselves to new heights.
Accessibility
The Knowledge lab is committed to creating a space that is fully accessible to all. We have an adjustable height table and adaptive aids for holding tools that can be requested from the front desk. If you require accommodations or have difficulty in accessing any of the equipment, please contact knowledgelab@purdue.edu and we will assist.
Contact Info
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If you are a faculty or staff member interested in collaboration or bringing students to the Knowledge Lab for a class session or a tour, please fill out this form: Faculty/Staff Knowledge Lab Request Form
If you have a student club/group/or organization that wants to hold a meeting or event in the Knowledge Lab, please fill out this form: Club/Student Group Knowledge Lab Usage Request Form
– Please note, if your group would like to come to the Knowledge Lab for an event/meeting/ or group activity, you need to submit your request form no less that 3-4 weeks before the date of the proposed event.
For general questions, consultations, or workshop inquiries, please email: knowledgelab@purdue.edu
Associate Professor of Library Science and The Director of the Knowledge Lab: Sarah Huber, 765.494.9993, huber47@purdue.edu
Knowledge Lab Manager, Patricia Swanson, paswanso@purdue.edu