The library’s Fab Lab uses a laser engraver to recreate historical prints | TCU 360

Nov 08, 2024

The Mary Couts Burnett Library’s Fab Lab is finding new ways for TCU students to engage with the rare books and historical archives in Special Collections.

Christine Drake-Thomas, the library’s innovation collaborator, led a “Printmaking Workshop” in the Fab Lab on the first floor of the library on Thursday, Oct. 24, where she used digital methods to recreate historical prints in the library’s Special Collections.

The “17th-century Mixson-Colquitt Gradual,” a rare book in Special Collections, was donated by Dr. Catherine A. Colquitt, according to the Mary Couts Burnett Library 2012-2013 Annual Report. Students chose an image from the gradual to use for the workshop.

Drake-Thomas uploaded their selected image to Adobe Photoshop to invert it, make it black and white and upload the file to the laser engraver’s program. A rubber block was engraved with the image and then used as a stamp.

Students were offered red, gold and black ink to paint their personal print “like they’re monks in the 17th century,” Drake-Thomas said.

TCU students don’t have to wait for a scheduled workshop to visit the Fab Lab. Any student can make a reservation to use its 3D printers, VR software, button maker, vinyl cutter, laser cutter and engraver.

For students looking for a study break, personal art kits with watercolors, acrylic paint and drawing supplies are available to reserve under the “Art Break!” tab.

A wide range of students use the Fab Lab for research projects, classwork, or just for fun, said Drake-Thomas. The large-format poster printer is a great tool for class presentations or dorm room decor, she said.

At the next Fab Lab workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Dallas-based artist Stuart Hausmann will be teaching students how to paint their pet’s portraits using basic acrylic painting techniques.

“It would be the perfect Christmas present,” said Drake-Thomas. “Who doesn’t want to paint their pets?”