Professional Tools for Student-Driven Production
Bring publications, banners, 3D-printed and laser-cut models, and oversized posters and prints to life with the tools and training to do it yourself. Master color calibration. Perfect binding and finishing. UW-Stout's Digital Process Lab provides 3,000 sq. ft. of high-tech creative potential to elevate student design and enhance team-based collaboration.
Dive Deeper Into the Digital Process Lab's Equipment

3D Printing & Fabrication
Unleash creativity and precision with the Universal Laser Systems VLS6.75—a powerhouse in laser cutting and engraving technology! Widely used in industries from manufacturing to prototyping, this versatile machine transforms raw materials into intricate designs with flawless accuracy. Featuring a spacious 32" x 18" work area with up to 75 watts of laser power, this high-performance CO₂ laser platform is capable of handling wood, acrylic, fabric, and even anodized aluminum to produce everything from stencils and engravings to signage and custom part fabrication.
USCutter's Titan 3 ARMS Contour Cutting Vinyl Cutter will enable you to leverage industry-standard power and precision throughout your UW-Stout education. With advanced Automatic Registration Mark Sensing (ARMS) for flawless contour cutting and a robust servo motor for smooth, quiet operation, the Titan 3 is a staple in the signage, apparel, and custom decal industries that will empower you to create detailed vinyl graphics, heat transfers, and packaging prototypes—transforming your digital concepts into tangible, portfolio-ready projects with professional polish.
FormLabs's Form 3+ 3D printer brings industrial-grade resin printing to the desktop with stunning detail and smooth surface finishes. Powered by advanced Low Force Stereolithography (LFS), it outperforms FDM printers like the Prusa MK4, i3 MK3S+, and Ultimaker 2 Extended+ when it comes to high-precision prototypes, miniatures, and finely detailed art pieces. As a UW-Stout student, you'll use the Form 3+ to create intricate jewelry, molds, and concept models and gain hands-on experience with the same technology trusted in product design, dentistry, and engineering.
Prusa's MK4 3D printer is a powerhouse of speed, reliability, and intelligent design—perfect for both industrial prototyping and educational innovation. With faster print speeds, improved auto-leveling, and a 32-bit controller, the MK4 outpaces Prusa's i3 MK3S+ and rivals pricier models like the Ultimaker 2 Extended+. Unlike resin printers like the FormLabs Form 3+, the MK4 excels at functional parts, enclosures, and mechanical models. Paired with its optional enclosure, it's ideal for printing with advanced materials like ASA and ABS—offering UW-Stout students hands-on access to real-world production capabilities.
The Ultimaker 2 Extended+ is a workhorse FDM 3D printer known for its tall build volume and unmatched reliability—making it a favorite in architecture, product design, and engineering fields. Its precision and consistency outperform the Prusa i3 MK3S+ for larger prints, and while not as fast as the MK4 or as detailed as the Form 3+, the The Ultimaker 2 Extended+ shines in producing durable prototypes, sculptural models, and tall-format art pieces. You'll find it a dependable tool for bringing ambitious, full-scale creations to life.
The Prusa MK4 is a next-gen FDM 3D printer that blends blazing speed with pinpoint accuracy—perfect for prototyping, product design, and functional art. In industry, Open-air MK4s are valued for rapid iteration and reliability and without an enclosure, are ideal for printing models, enclosures, and mechanical parts using materials like PLA, PETG, and TPU (which perform better in open-air environments).
A trusted favorite in the 3D-printing world, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ is perfect for UW-Stout art and design students learning foundational 3D printing skills. The i3 MK3S+ offers rock-solid reliability, print quality, and user-friendly design; is more accessible than the Form 3+ for large prints; and is more compact than the Ultimaker 2 Extended+. It’s ideal for everyday models, design mockups, and iterative projects where consistency matters most.

Scanning, Printing, Binding & Finishing
The Bienfang Vacuum Press 3648H is a versatile tool ideal for art and design professionals and students. With a 36" x 48" surface, it’s perfect for lamination, mounting, and encapsulation of various materials. It provides even pressure for flawless bonding, making it great for photo mounting, print preservation, and fabric laminations. Widely used in industries like signage and framing, this press offers students hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment before they enter the workforce.
The Duplo Perfect Binder DB-290 offers fast, accurate, and professional-quality binding for books, catalogs, and brochures. Significantly outpacing older manual binders, the DB-290 provides quick, consistent results for both short-run and high-volume production. Used in printing, publishing, and design, it allows college art and design students to work with cutting-edge technology, producing polished, durable bindings for their projects. The DB-290 enhances efficiency, reducing setup time and delivering reliable results for student publications and portfolios.
The Canon imagePRESS C650 is a fast, high-resolution digital press that can handle a variety of media—including heavy, textured, and coated stocks—and offers professional finishing options, making it ideal for marketing materials, posters, booklets, and more. Used in commercial and in-house print environments, it will help streamline your creative production with its precise, consistent results.
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-6100 and PRO-6100S provide students access to progessional-grade, 60" large-format printers. The PRO-6100 features a 12-color LUCIA PRO ink system with Chroma Optimizer, delivering exceptional color accuracy and depth, making it ideal for fine art and photography. In contrast, the PRO-6100S utilizes an 8-color LUCIA PRO ink set, optimized for high-speed production of posters and signage with consistent color fidelity. Used professionally for high-quality prints in photography, design, and signage, these printers empower you to enhancing your creative projects with precise, vibrant prints.
For more than 130 years, Challenge Machinery has been a trusted name in industrial paper cutting, renowned for durability, precision, and innovation. Their cutters deliver consistent, accurate cuts, enhancing productivity and ensuring long-term value in demanding production environments and making them the ideal workhorse for high-volume print shops and finishing departments.
The Epson Expression 12000XL and 10000XL are professional-grade A3 flatbed scanners designed for high-resolution scanning of photos, artwork, and film. Both widely used in industries requiring precise image reproduction, the 12000XL offers 2400 x 4800 DPI resolution and a 3.8 optical density perfect for reproducing deep shadows with good detail, making it ideal for graphic arts and archival work. With a slightly lower resolution, the 10000XL is substantively similar and just as reliable as its larger counterpart.
Industry Sponsors & Support
The Digital Process Lab has been generously supported by our partners in industry.
- 3M
- Gordon Flesch Company
- Kohler Co.