Materials

Original Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printer.

Filament is available in each Ffiws and you can contribute towards the cost when using it. We have PLA and PETG material filament – this is the easiest type of filament to use and is suitable for most 3D printing.

If you would like to buy a filament yourself, compatible filament can be found here.

We do not recommend using FLEX, as it can clog the nozzle.

The machine works with a range of materials: wood, plastic, and aluminium are no problem.

Cutting carbon fibre, PCBs, and steel is also possible with a little extra preparation and precaution.

Please supply your own materials for the CNC, and check with the Ffiws workshops that offer this machine if unsure.

A heat press is a machine that is engineered to print a design or graphic on an object, such as a t-shirt, by using heat and pressure for a certain period of time.

Although heat presses are often used to apply designs to fabrics, specially designed presses can also be used to print designs on mugs, plates, jigsaw puzzles, caps and other products.

Each Ffiws has free to use laptops with all the required software for designing o 3D modelling / slicing. You can bring your own laptop / designs or models saved to pen drives if you have designs ready to transfer to the machines.

You can put a number of different materials into the laser – including wood, acrylic, and slate!

This is where you will find out what materials are suitable, and remember to avoid any prohibited material link to the prohibited materials document again.

Laserable Materials epiloglaser.co.uk.

ARC Multi Function Mug Press.

Suitable for 10oz and 11oz mugs. You need to buy sublimation mugs, ordinary mugs won’t take the ink. Sublimation mugs have a polymer coating in which the ink will embed.

An example of the type of mugs to buy here

The mugs are safe to put in the dishwasher up to 45 degrees Celsius.

To print the images you will need to use the sublimation printer available in Ffiws, along with the compatible sublimation paper and ink. There is no need to buy your own paper and ink, but for bulk printing please speak with a member of the staff at your local Ffiws beforehand.

An embroidery machine allows you to automatically stitch intricate designs, patterns, and text onto fabric with precision and speed.

Create professional quality embroidery designs in minutes—perfect for customising clothes, gifts, and products to elevate your brand or personal style.

Domestic sewing machines are also available to use.

Sublimation printers are available in Ffiws in order to print designs for mugs and other sublimation-compatible materials. The correct paper and ink is also available. You do not need to bring your own but if you want to use the machine for a large print run, please contact your local Ffiws in advance.

This machine is to cut vinyl, for transferring to a host of materials, including clothing. This machine only cuts one colour at a time. Vinyl is available in Ffiws for you to use; if you’d like to bring your own the Roland website offers the technical specifications https://www.rolanddg.eu/en-gb.

This machine takes a host of different materials, insert the corresponding materials to make stickers or t-shirts. Only a small range of materials are available in Ffiws, so you may want to ensure your own supply.

We recommend this website to select compatible materials. Make sure you purchase materials for the BN-20 machine. Self Adhesive Sign Vinyl, HTV, Large Printers, Laser Engravers | Grafityp UK Limited