PRINTSHOP
What is the PrintShop + Cut & Ink?
PrintShop + Cut & Ink are the vital digital fabrication workshops of Aalto Design Factory (ADF), mainly supporting students with their projects like PdP and Aaltonaut courses. Additionally, PrintShop + Cut & Ink aids startups at Partner Plaza and community members involved with ADF.
With Design Factory’s relocation in March 2023 to the new K3 building, PrintShop + Cut & Ink services have been restructured. 3D printing and laser cutting are now based in The Works—ADF’s new prototyping area. Meanwhile, vinyl cutting and large-scale ink printing have moved to the Cut & Ink area in the ADF Staff open office on the second floor.
While prioritizing educational projects, PrintShop + Cut & Ink also endeavour in assisting other Aalto University community members if resources allow.
FAQ
Perhaps these will help you get a better picture
3D PRINTERS
- “CoCo” FDM 3D Printer (ABS + HIPS, 265 x 265 x 300 mm)
- “MehtaHeino” FDM 3D printer ( PLA , 270 x 160 x 200 mm)
LASER CUTTER
- “Lala” Glowforge laser cutter
VINYL CUTTER
- Roland GX-24 vinyl cutter (max. width 580mm)
INK PRINTERS
- “Barbara” HP DesignJet T1300 (max. width 1117mm)
- 3D-printing
- Laser cutting
- Vinyl cutting
- Large-format inkjet printing on paper.
In terms of 3D-printing we have the capacities to use PLA, TPU, PP, AduraX & RigidX.
For laser cutting we have acrylic (PMMA) 3-12mm & plywood from 2-12mm.
If you have the material safety datasheet of your material, we figure out if we are able to cut material that you’ve provided us. Generally we only use the plywood in our own stock because it has interior-grade glue in order to avoid hazardous gases released when cutting exterior plywoods with epoxy or formaldehyde.
For vinyl we have various colours of 3M series 50 and 30 vinyls. We also have application tape.
For printing we usually have a stock of 90g 914mm wide coated plain paper rolls and try to maintain few rolls of semi gloss and gloss heavier weight coated papers. Most prints we usually print on the much more cost efficient 90g coated plain paper.
At PrintShop we use the machines for you. You can deliver your request for a job by either stopping by PrintShop between the hours 10-18 Mon-Fri or by emailing us. If your job requires the attention of a specific PrintShop employee, you can find our contact details at the bottom of this page.
- 3D-printing – STL
- Laser cutting – SVG, DXF (linework and text needs to be in vector-format (outlined) )
- Vinyl cutting – SVG, DXF (linework and text needs to be in vector-format (outlined) )
- Paper printing – PDF (with the dimensions of the desired print)
NB! For paper printing please provide us with the final print size. Meaning if you want us to print an A0 please make sure your PDF is set to A0.
- Max 3D-printing size is currently 240x160x200 mm.
- Max laser cutting size is 480x280mm.
- Max vinyl cutting size is 580mm in width (no strict limit on length since its a roll).
- Max paper printing size is 1117 mm in width (no strict limit on length since its a roll).
PS. For vinyl cutting and paper printing keep in mind that different materials have different dimensions. For example some paper rolls are 914mm wide and some are more or less.
The idea of Design Factory is centered around product development so the workshops are made for prototyping. We are here to help you develop your ideas and designs towards manufacturing, but we don’t do manufacturing. In other words, iterating multiple times is okay, but serial manufacturing is not.
Feel free to reach out if you are unsure about how this relates to your project. Contact details are at the bottom of this page.
PrintShop’s services, including materials, are free to everyone except for Partner Plaza companies whom we have specific arrangements with.
Reach out to Klaus if you have questions about your startup joining the Partner Plaza.
Thank you for being so considered!
Here are few suggestions depending on your needs and where you come from. Check out the spaces and places bellow.
- Laserle – Industrial comercial manufacturing in Helsinki area.
- Aalto FabLab
- Aalto Space 21
- Aalto ADDlab
- Public Libraries
CONTACT
Regular job requests should be sent to PrintShop-df@aalto.fi
If your job requires the attention of a specific PrintShop employee, feel free to contact us.
We’re eager to support your projects and kindly ask for your understanding regarding our time constraints. To guarantee effective assistance, we prefer you to contact us via email before visiting. Please include a brief overview of your project, its importance to you, and expected timelines for production.
Scheduling in advance allows us to provide the dedicated service you require. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us manage our workflow and look forward to collaborating with you.
Warm wishes,
PrintShop + Cut & Ink staff
PrintShop = 3D Printing and laser cutting
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Tiina Otala Laser cutting and 3D Printing
tiina.otala@aalto.fi +358 457 833 9064
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Erwin Laiho 3D Printing and Laser Cutting
erwin.laiho@aalto.fi
+358 50 432 7700
Cut & Ink = Vinyl cutting and inkjet printing
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Valtteri Bade Visual Communication Specialist
valtteri.bade@aalto.fi +358 50 441 5851
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Sushant Passi Vinyl & Laser cutting, Plotter Printing
sushant.rajpassi@aalto.fi
+358 50 596 4495 -
George Atanassov Production, AV, IT, Spaces and Tech
george.atanassov@aalto.fi
+358 41 465 1391