Tomball ISD’s Student Print Shop Competes Locally with 80 Print Jobs Scheduled This Year
- marketing40561
- 29 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Less than ten minutes away from Lab Resources’ headquarters in Tomball, Texas, the fabrication lab at the Tomball Innovation Center operates a full commercial print shop, just two years since it opened in early 2023. In the 2024-25 academic year, over 80 print projects have been requested from the junior and senior students in the Graphic Design career pathway at Tomball ISD. Using state-of-the-art printing equipment, these students have the opportunity to turn their digital designs into physical products in a real-world business setting.
More than a glorified copy room
Jessica Mulkey, the fab lab facilitator and teacher of the upper-level graphic design classes, knew she wanted to involve students in post-design production. Yet, she wanted something more practical than a copy room. “One of the things I asked for was a makerspace blueprint to give the kids different experiences,” Mulkey said, “where they could build their resume with t-shirts and window clings and learn how to install different things like murals and decals. I just want it to be fun and exciting.”
Tomball ISD started with a heat press and two Roland printers, a TrueVIS SG3-540 wide format printer for vinyl stickers, banners, and heat-transfer prints, as well as a LEF2-200 UV flatbed printer for printing on other 3D materials. Rather than purchasing and maintaining the same equipment for three high schools and training additional staff, Tomball ISD determined that it would be more cost effective to have one central lab. With this vision, they reached out to Lab Resources to offer recommendations and design a makerspace blueprint.
Once finalized, Lab Resources handled all the electrical work and the purchasing, moving, and installation of all the equipment. Not long after, Lab Resources also helped to install the CWT 2147 Regular Flatbed Applicator for laminating and post-processing, and just this year, a San Antonio Laser Razor 3 DUO for laser engraving. With this incredibly diverse range of machines, the students are making everything from logos to t-shirts, window decals, banners, stickers, and other customized designs.
From designers to business entrepreneurs
The print business is run by the students through a student-based enterprise. With Mulkey’s oversight and guidance, the students help pick projects they are passionate about, communicate directly with customers to get designs approved, give and take professional critique with each other, sign off on material purchases, and take ownership over the final prints and installations. This doesn’t mean that the prints run perfectly every time. Mulkey reminds the students that, “we are a learning lab, and it’s safe to make mistakes.” They are learning how to handle and fix those mistakes, while offering reasonable, fair pricing for multiple prints.
In the entry hallway at Decker Prairie Elementary, one student renovated a window that had sparse sticky notes and bulletins. In the spirit of creating something fun and bright, the student designed a mural of multi-color flowers blooming in rays of sunlight, which shines on the words of the school's “8 Great Expectations.” The design spans fifteen window panels, cleverly replicated in Adobe Illustrator with fifteen artboards, and was printed on one-way window vinyl using the Roland SG3-540. The staff loved it so much that they asked for a similar mural above the teacher’s lounge.
How turning a profit can leave a legacy
These window decals would have normally cost thousands of dollars to print and install using an outside commercial company. Tomball’s student-based enterprise offers competitive prints for a much lower price, and the students are even returning a profit on their business. Mulkey said that the students vote on what they do with the profit, with ideas like flex seating in the classroom or going on field trips to an art museum or the Color Factory.
As the students master these professional skills, they can place any of their work from eighth to twelfth grade on their web-based portfolio to help build their resumes. Mulkey likes each student to have at least one big project that they can brag about within the district, and those projects leave a mark on many campuses. On the drive to school or at an open house, students show their work to their proud parents and pose for photos. Mulkey said, “I’m proud of the work that the students are doing, and we’re still learning. I’m still learning about the machines and what they can do, and we get excited when we figure new things out.”
To support Mulkey in her role, Lab Resources invited her to attend a user summit training. Mulkey said she wrote down everything and took their suggestions to heart, and she was even asked to present at the summit the following year. She still has the contact of one of the presenters and has the continued support of Lab Resources. “Any time I’ve called or texted Jason, he’s always answered,” Mulkey said. “Sometimes I’ll figure it out before he can get back to me, and other times he’s the hero. Everybody has been super supportive.”
Lab Resources represents the top commercial brands to support your education program's makerspace. If you’re interested in creating or enhancing your makerspace, contact us at sales@lab-resources.net. We’re passionate about seeing your CTE program succeed!