Like many creatives, the joy of organizing is almost as satisfying as the craft itself. There’s a certain peace in neatly arranged supplies, and the quest for the perfect storage solution is a constant, evolving journey. For those of us with ever-expanding collections of needlecraft items, the initial storage ideas often become quickly inadequate or simply don’t fit the growing needs. The dream? A single, unified storage unit to house embroidery threads, beads, buttons, and all the other essential bits and bobs. Building from scratch seemed daunting, so the appeal of repurposing vintage furniture became strong. Old shop storage units, apothecary cabinets, and especially Cabinet Printers, presented themselves as ideal candidates, already boasting numerous drawers and compartments. The hunt for the perfect piece began, with the specific goal of finding a cabinet printer to transform into the ultimate craft supply organizer.
Printer’s cabinets, also known as type cabinets or letterpress cabinets, were originally designed to store and organize the movable type used in letterpress printing. Their defining feature is an array of shallow drawers, each meticulously divided into compartments to hold individual letters and characters. These shallow drawers, initially intended for type, are perfectly suited for providing a clear and comprehensive overview of small craft supplies. The search narrowed specifically to cabinet printers because of this inherent organizational structure. The ideal unit would have a variety of drawer sizes to accommodate different items, be substantial enough to grow into, yet still fit comfortably within a home craft space.
After a patient search spanning several months, the ideal cabinet printer finally surfaced on Marktplaats, a Dutch online marketplace similar to eBay. The listing came from Fleur’s Depot, a vintage interior shop located in Rotterdam. Contacting the owner via email, a viewing appointment was set for the following Saturday, with the item held in reserve. The shop itself, nestled in a residential area, was a treasure trove of industrial and rustic furniture, housed within a sprawling former embroidery factory. Upon seeing the cabinet printer in person, the decision was instantaneous. Despite the evident need for thorough cleaning, its potential was undeniable. Anticipating a potential purchase, a trailer was wisely rented, allowing for immediate transport home.
Cabinet printer just after purchase
An antique cabinet printer, newly acquired and ready for a transformation into craft storage.
Bringing the cabinet printer home marked the beginning of a significant project. The sheer amount of work required to bring it to its full potential became apparent. Before any modifications for craft storage could begin, a deep cleaning was essential. The legacy of printer’s ink and years of accumulated dust needed to be addressed to protect delicate craft supplies. Of particular concern was the potential presence of lead particles, common in printer’s environments and hazardous in quantity. The initial cleaning strategy involved a thorough vacuuming to remove the bulk of loose dirt and dust.
Next, each drawer was lined with aged and stained paper inserts, remnants of its printing past. These had to be carefully removed using a craft knife. To tackle the ingrained grime, St Marc’s cleaner, a powerful cleaning solution, was employed with cloths and sponges. This meticulous cleaning process aimed to restore the drawers to a state suitable for housing precious craft materials.
Drawer of cabinet printer before cleaning and insert removal
A drawer from the cabinet printer, showing the original paper insert before cleaning.
Drawer of cabinet printer after initial cleaning and insert removal
The same drawer after the initial cleaning and removal of the old paper insert, ready for modification.
With the drawers cleaned and prepped, the next step was to tailor them to the specific needs of craft storage. Embroidery threads, beads, and buttons all require different organizational approaches. The drawer modifications were planned around the existing dividers within the cabinet printer drawers. Sticky tape was used to mark sections of dividers slated for removal. Recognizing that thread types vary in size, each drawer’s configuration was customized to its intended contents. Only the drawers designated for the smallest items, like beads and buttons, retained their original, finely divided structure.
Drawer of cabinet printer before modification for wool storage
A drawer within the cabinet printer, still with its original dividers, before being modified to accommodate wool and larger craft items.
The construction of the cabinet printer drawers was cleverly designed. Vertical dividers could be carefully wiggled and removed using pliers. Horizontal dividers, however, required a Dremel circular saw for cutting. In some instances, new dividers were crafted from spare wood to further customize the storage space. After modification, each drawer was sanded, both by hand and with the Dremel tool, using rough sandpaper to smooth the edges. A final cleaning with St Marc’s cleaner ensured a pristine surface ready for staining.
The wood used in the cabinet printer was not uniform throughout, presenting a challenge for achieving a consistent finish. Smoked oak wood stain was initially chosen, but its darkness proved too intense for the drawer interiors. A switch was made to transparent wood stain for the remaining drawers, offering protection without excessive darkening. Following staining, a fine sandpaper was used to create a smooth, tactile finish, and a final cleaning with St Marc’s prepped the drawers for use.
Some of the smaller drawers in the cabinet printer featured wooden slats, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments to compartment sizes. Two drawers were specifically configured to hold bead storage solutions containers (available from Amazon), optimizing bead organization. Two additional drawers were designed to accommodate sewing thread spools. One small drawer required more extensive repair – its warped plywood bottom was replaced to ensure smooth drawer operation.
Refinishing the exterior of the cabinet printer required favorable weather. Once a dry weekend arrived, all drawers were removed, and the cabinet was taken outside. The entire exterior was sanded, cleaned, and treated with a coat of the smoked oak wood stain. Drawer handles and label holders were then removed, and the drawer fronts were also sanded, cleaned, and stained. To achieve a richer, darker tone on the cabinet top and drawer fronts, two additional coats of wood stain were applied after light sanding.
With the drawers removed, access to the cabinet’s interior was improved. Years of accumulated dirt and grime within the cabinet itself were tackled, revealing long-lost receipts and pencil stubs – echoes of its printing past.
Cabinet printer outside after sanding and cleaning
The cabinet printer outdoors after sanding and cleaning, prepped for staining and refinishing.
Helping clean the inside of the cabinet printer
Assistance in cleaning the interior of the cabinet printer, removing years of dust and debris.
The original handles and label holders, showing their age, were slated for replacement. 19toen, a vintage shop in Sommelsdijk, was discovered online and offered a wide selection of both vintage and vintage-inspired hardware. Despite being an online purchase, the service was excellent, with helpful staff and prompt delivery. Green handles were initially appealing, but a more balanced approach was chosen – mostly black handles accented with four green ones.
New handles and label holders on the cabinet printer
Updated hardware for the cabinet printer, featuring new handles and label holders to enhance its vintage aesthetic.
Black label holders of the desired size proved elusive. Nickel label holders were sourced from 19toen and spray-painted black to match the chosen hardware. The original, smaller label holders were also repurposed for smaller drawers after a fresh coat of black spray paint.
To add a touch of visual interest to the drawer interiors, Tim Holtz design tape from Meer Leuks was incorporated. These tapes feature vintage-themed designs like rulers, squared paper, and train tickets, adding a subtle decorative element, already applied in the button and ribbon drawers.
Tim Holtz design tape detail inside a drawer
Detail of Tim Holtz design tape used to line the inside of a drawer, adding a vintage touch to the craft storage cabinet.
While the cabinet printer project is nearly complete, a few finishing touches remain. The interiors of two drawers still require attention. Acid-free tissue paper is planned for the thread drawers to provide an extra layer of protection against potential staining. Custom labels are also on the to-do list for the label holders. However, the progress made thus far is already immensely satisfying. The exterior is complete (pending labels), and several drawers are filled, offering a glimpse of the final, fully organized cabinet printer. A future post, possibly with a video tour, will showcase the completed cabinet in its fully organized glory.
Mill Hill beads in bead storage solutions boxes within cabinet printer
Mill Hill beads neatly organized in bead storage solution boxes within the shallow drawers of the repurposed cabinet printer.
Various bead collections organized in cabinet printer drawers
A collection of beads, categorized and organized within the drawers of the cabinet printer.
Mettler Seralon sewing threads
Top stitch, satin, and other sewing threads in cabinet printer drawers
Top stitch, satin, and other specialized sewing threads, each spool visible and accessible in the cabinet printer drawers.
Button drawer organization in cabinet printer
A drawer dedicated to buttons, neatly arranged and easily browsable within the cabinet printer.
Ribbon drawer in repurposed cabinet printer
Ribbons, organized by type and color, filling a drawer in the repurposed cabinet printer, making selection and storage simple.
Goldwork thread drawer in cabinet printer
Goldwork threads, meticulously arranged in a drawer of the cabinet printer, showcasing the organizational capabilities of the shallow drawers.
The four weeks invested in this cabinet printer transformation, worked on evenings and weekends, initially felt slow. The craft room became a temporary zone of delightful chaos. However, witnessing the emerging finished form validates the effort. This repurposed cabinet printer promises to be an exceptional and enduring piece of craft furniture, bringing joy and organizational harmony for years to come.
