Getting Started

Check Your MakerSpace Access

All students, staff, faculty, staff and members of the Syracuse University and SUNY ESF may enter and utilize the MakerSpace with a valid SU I.D. card during open hours. The MakerSpace accepts in-person work order requests only, and online work order requests are not available.

If you would like to schedule a tour, incorporate the MakerSpace into your course curriculum, host a workshop or have a question for the MakerSpace team, please complete our contact form.

All members outside of the University community can fill out the contact form to inquire about tours.

Prepare for Your MakerSpace Visit

Determine What You’ll Make

Not sure where to begin? Start by choosing what you want to make, then follow the link to review the equipment, file requirements, helpful information and usage guidelines. Each page will tell you what file types to bring, what materials are recommended, and some limits and policies you need to know before getting started.

Find additional ideas on the Inspiration page.

Review the Guidelines

Before using the space, please be aware of important policies. Here are some things to know:

  • The MakerSpace is for prototyping, not mass production. The MakerSpace is a place to be creative, test ideas, and explore — not to run a business or make large quantities of the same item. Come here to try new things, not to produce at scale.
  • Mistakes are a part of the process. Projects might not come out perfectly. 3D prints can fail, threads may break or tear a garment, machines might stop mid-job, or a laser engraved glass may break. That’s part of working in a space where you’re experimenting and learning.
  • You must follow usage limits. Every machine in the MakerSpace has time or usage limits. These help make sure everyone gets fair access to the tools they need.
  • Staff supervision is required. Most equipment must be used with a MakerSpace team member present. Always check in with staff before using machines — we’re here to help!
  • Leave your workspace clean. When you’re done, clean up your area so it’s ready for the next person. Don’t leave behind scraps of vinyl, failed prints, or leftover materials — everyone shares this space.

View all the ITS MakerSpace policies on our Policies page.

Visit the MakerSpace

Visit the MakerSpace at any time during our open hours. Upon arrival, ensure to check with one of our MakerSpace team members at the front desk. They’ll assist with setting up your project and provide any additional guidance. Participants are required to remain in the MakerSpace while working on their projects, with the exception of 3D prints, which can be picked up at the Print Pickup table at a later time.

Have Questions?

If you have additional questions or would like to know more, please complete our contact form.

FAQ

Below are commonly asked questions. If you can’t find an answer to your question, contact us!

General ITS MakerSpace Questions

The ITS MakerSpace is free of charge for all current students, faculty and staff of Syracuse University and SUNY ESF. In an effort to keep our services free, we have limitations in place regarding material use. Please see the equipment pages or the Policies page for more information regarding these limits.

The ITS MakerSpace offers 3D printing, 3D pens, milling equipment, laser engraving, embroidery, sewing, dye-sublimation, vinyl cutting, soldering, and more. For detailed information on all of our equipment in the MakerSpace, check out our equipment pages.

The ITS MakerSpace does not have poster printing capabilities. Bird Library offers poster printing. Check out Bird Library’s website!

Due to limited space, the ITS MakerSpace does not permit storage of projects at this time. Filament or other consumables left at the ITS MakerSpace for over 30 days may be used for other projects.

Don’t worry! Stop in during our hours and see an employee at the workstation. They will help you get started and moving in the right direction.

The MakerSpace is meant for prototyping, not production. Multiple copies of a project must be approved by our staff.

The ITS MakerSpace does not have materials available for purchase.

The ITS MakerSpace is a place to learn and explore. We do not accept files online, through Orange Tracker, and services are provided in-person only.

We welcome faculty to include the ITS MakerSpace as part of their course curriculums. If you’d like to schedule a workshop for your class, please fill out our contact form.

We welcome tours to the Syracuse University community, the general public and both inside and outside organizations. To schedule a tour, please fill out our contact form.

To ensure a high-quality experience for all participants, workshops for groups or with specialized requirements may need additional staff. If your request requires extra staffing, you will be charged an additional $25 per additional staff member per hour. The cost will be confirmed with you before your booking is finalized. Note, there is no charge to use the equipment. 

While, we welcome scheduled tours to the Syracuse University community, the general public and both inside and outside organizations, generalized use of the space is not permitted as the ITS MakerSpace is SU I.D. card-swipe entry, only. To schedule a tour, please fill out our contact form.

3D Printing FAQs

For 3D printing, please bring in a .STL file. If you’re not sure on how to create an .STL file, please visit the MakerSpace during our open hours and connect with one of our staff members.

We recommend tinkercad.com for beginners. Looking for a pre-made file? Check out thingiverse.com.

Filament can be purchased on the lower level of the Syracuse University Campus Store located in Schine Student Center. If you would like to purchase filament through a different source, we recommend MakeShaper or MakerBot filament, as they have the best success rates. When purchasing filament, please pay close attention to the filament diameter and type based on the 3D printer you would prefer to use. An outline of specifications are available on our 3D Printing equipment page

A description of our printers and material specifications are available on our equipment page.

Laser Engraving FAQs

A description of our laser engravers and material specifications are available on our equipment page. Note, we are unable to cut or engrave any material containing PVC or Vinyl.

A description of our laser engravers and their dimensions are available on our equipment page.

Embroidery, Vinyl Cutting, Dye-Sublimation and Other Textile Equipment FAQs

For dye-sublimation, only white or light colored, 100% polyester fabric will work. We also have a vinyl cutter that can cut fashion film as well as a second vinyl cutter that can print your design on a heat-transfer sticker. The vinyl will stick to any fabric of any color.

Your image/graphic will need to be digitized. Digitization is the process of converting artwork into a digital file that the machine can understand and know where to place the needle and thread. Please visit the ITS MakerSpace during our open hours and connect with one of our staff members to digitize your file.

The ITS MakerSpace is meant for prototyping, not production. Multiple copies of a project must be approved by our staff. Please ensure to review size limits for the equipment on the respective equipment pages.

Contact Us & Hours

Hours

Important Info

Please note, many of our student employees are brand new to the team this semester! Please bear with us as they get up to speed with our equipment. We’re grateful for your understanding.

The MakerSpace is SU I.D. card swipe access, only. An SU I.D. card is required. During open hours, jobs are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Concurrent jobs are limited and based on available staffing. We encourage you to review our Getting Started page prior to visiting.

Academic YearHours
Mondays12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesdays2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesdays12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursdays2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fridays12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sundays2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Academic year hours take effect on Monday, Aug. 24. Work orders submitted within 30 minutes of closing may be refused if setup cannot be completed before the MakerSpace closes.
SummerHours
Mondays12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesdays12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesdays12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursdays12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Fridays12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
SaturdaysClosed
SundaysClosed
Work orders submitted within 30 minutes of closing may be refused if setup cannot be completed before the MakerSpace closes.

Special Hours

The MakerSpace is closed on all federal holidays as listed on the University’s holiday schedule. The MakerSpace will be closed the following dates:

  • Commencement Weekend
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Labor Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Thanksgiving Break
  • Winter Break (From last day of the fall semester to start of spring semester)

View ITS MakerSpace Policies

Contact Us

Interested in a guided tour? Want us to host your class for a workshop? Have a specific question? Complete and submit the contact form linked below. Note, this form will require a sign in with your SYR email and/or an Atlassian Account.

We will reply back within approximately 3-5 business days. Thank you!

Have a question about making copies of items? Please check out the weekly limits on each equipment page.

Check out our FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.

Contact the ITS MakerSpace

Location

ITS MakerSpace at Marshall Square Mall
720 University Ave.
First Floor
Syracuse, NY 13244

Find Us on Maps

Equipment

Browse Available Equipment The Syracuse University ITS MakerSpace offers a wide range of machines including 3D printers, embroidery machines, laser engravers, vinyl cutters, and more. If you have questions regarding our equipment, please fill out a contact form. Click the buttons below to learn more: