Reality: Starting is usually harder than the actual work. If your company already operates ZSK embroidery machines, you already have the tools needed to step into smart textiles. Many first applications are as simple as swapping your standard thread for conductive embroidery thread and stitching as usual.

And for those who want a quick, hands-on start: we offer a DIY kit that lets you easily reproduce our well-known Embroidered Piano demonstrator. With this kit, your team can build a working example in no time and experience smart textiles in a tangible way.

👉 Get the DIY Kit in our Shop

Why it’s worth it for your business:

• Open new markets: expand from classic embroidery into heated garments, automotive interiors, wellness products, workwear, medical textiles, and pet accessories.
• Differentiate your offering: move beyond logos and artwork - add function to embroidery and win briefs competitors can’t deliver.
• Increase margins: functional embroidery commands premium pricing while using the same production workflow you already know.
• Win customer trust: offering new, innovative samples shows that your company is a forward-looking partner

How we support you:

At 3E Smart Solutions, we provide tailored workshops designed to help you get started with Smart Textiles. These sessions give your team both the theoretical understanding and the hands-on practice needed to create your first smart textile samples. You’ll leave with real, working prototypes and clear ideas on how to pitch these new opportunities to your customers.

MYTH2: "I NEED COSTLY, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO MAKE SMART TEXTILES"

Reality: You don’t need to invest in an entirely new setup to enter the smart textiles market. Every ZSK embroidery machine, including the compact SPRINT series, can already be used for functional embroidery. The machines you own today are capable of more than decoration - they can produce functional textiles for industries like automotive, defense, healthcare, or fashion.

Smart Textiles capabilities with the equipment you already have:

How we support you:

If you’re unsure what’s possible with your current setup, we’ll analyze your machine model, heads, and attachments and show you exactly which applications are within reach today, and which add-ons would be useful if you want to expand further.

Reality: Smart textiles are not a separate world—they are an extension of embroidery. The stitches, machines, and workflows remain familiar. The difference is that you’re no longer only adding decoration but also function. From your team’s perspective, the work feels like embroidery. From your customers’ perspective, it transforms your products into something unique and innovative.

How we support you:

Through our tailored trainings, we help embroidery companies see and feel how small the step into smart textiles really is. Your team learns with the machines you already know, and you leave with ready-to-show samples that prove the concept to your customers. Depending on your needs, we cover:

• Digitizing software: how to prepare designs for functional embroidery.
• Embroidery process specifics: handling special materials like conductive threads and wires.
• Application-focused workshops: practical know-how for heating, sensing, illumination, or other customer-specific use cases.

BONUS MYTH: "SMART TEXTILES CAN´T SURVIVE WATER OR WASHING"

Reality: With proper design and protection, embroidered smart textiles are durable, reliable, and withstand many wash cycles. Washability isn’t a barrier—it’s simply part of good design.

CONTACT

Ready to dive deeper? We regularly share practical insights, examples, and real-world applications through our blog and podcast. Both are designed to support embroidery companies exploring the potential of smart textiles.

3E Smart Solutions can support you from prototyping to production setup. Whether you need fast demonstrators, development support, or training - 3E is here to help.

ZSK STICKMASCHINEN, Germany