REFREAM · Project

3D-Printed and E-Textile Fashion: Small-Batch Urban Manufacturing for Custom Clothing

manufacturingTestedTRL 5

Imagine being able to design a unique piece of clothing on a computer, then 3D-print it or weave electronics right into the fabric — all in a small workshop in your city, not a massive overseas factory. That's what REFREAM figured out how to do. They brought together artists, fashion designers, and tech companies across Europe to develop new materials you can 3D-print and wear on your skin, fabrics with built-in electronics, and eco-friendly finishing techniques. Twenty artist-researcher teams tested these technologies in three dedicated hubs, proving that small-scale, customized fashion production can actually work in an urban setting.

By the numbers

Artist-researcher teams that co-created and tested the technologies

Research hubs providing access to high-end technology and facilities

Consortium partners across the project

Countries represented in the consortium

TRL 5

Technology readiness level achieved

The business problem

What needed solving

Fashion brands face a double bind: mass production creates waste and limits customization, while bespoke manufacturing is too slow and expensive. Companies wanting to offer personalized, locally-made garments or integrate electronics into clothing lack accessible, proven production methods for small-batch urban manufacturing. The gap between prototype and viable small-scale production keeps innovative fashion concepts stuck in the lab.

The solution

What was built

The project produced 3D-printed fashion prototypes using optimized polyjet printing software and skin-compatible materials, functional e-textile artworks with embedded electronics, and eco-designed garment finishing techniques. An Open Innovation Platform was created to share knowledge and connect production facilities across European cities.

Audience

Who needs this

Independent fashion designers wanting on-demand 3D-printed accessories and garmentsWearable technology startups integrating sensors or electronics into clothingSustainable fashion brands seeking low-waste, local production alternativesMaker spaces and fab labs expanding into fashion manufacturingSportswear companies exploring custom-fit, body-shaped garment production

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Fashion & Apparel

SME

Target: Fashion brands and designers seeking on-demand, customized production

If you are a fashion brand struggling with overproduction and unsold inventory — this project developed 3D-printing materials optimized for skin compatibility and mechanical stability, tested across 3 research hubs. Twenty artist-researcher teams proved that small-batch, customized garments and accessories can be manufactured locally using polyjet printing and digital body-shaping software, cutting waste from mass production.

Wearable Technology

mid-size

Target: Wearable electronics manufacturers integrating tech into textiles

If you are a wearable tech company dealing with the challenge of embedding electronics into comfortable, wearable fabrics — this project created functional e-textile prototypes across two rounds of development. The e-textile hub produced working artworks demonstrating how sensors, LEDs, and circuits can be woven directly into garments, with Fraunhofer IZM providing the underlying technology.

Sustainable Textiles

any

Target: Textile finishing companies looking to reduce chemical and environmental impact

If you are a textile manufacturer under pressure to reduce your environmental footprint in garment finishing — this project developed eco-designed finishing techniques including garment nebulization technology. The sustainable finishing processes were tested by 20 artist-researcher teams, offering an alternative to conventional chemical-heavy treatments while maintaining quality for small-scale urban production.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt these 3D-printing or e-textile manufacturing methods?

The project did not publish specific cost figures for adopting these technologies. However, the approach is designed for small-scale urban production, which suggests lower capital requirements than traditional large-scale fashion manufacturing. Contact the consortium partners for pricing on equipment and licensing.

Can this scale beyond prototypes to actual production runs?

The project developed technologies up to TRL 5 (validated in a relevant environment), with 20 artist-researcher teams producing working prototypes across 3 hubs. The explicit goal was enabling small-scale production in urban environments, not mass manufacturing — making it suited for limited-edition, custom, or on-demand fashion lines rather than high-volume runs.

Who owns the IP, and can I license these technologies?

The consortium of 12 partners across 6 countries developed the technologies, with key IP likely held by technology providers like Stratasys and Haratech (3D printing), Fraunhofer IZM (e-textiles), and EMPA (3D body shaping). Licensing arrangements would need to be negotiated directly with the relevant partners.

How mature are the 3D-printed fashion materials — can they be worn safely?

The project specifically developed and optimized materials for skin compatibility, elasticity, and mechanical stability for polyjet printing. Deliverables confirm prototypes were fabricated using these optimized materials, demonstrating they are designed for wearable applications, though regulatory certification for commercial products may still be needed.

What's the timeline from adopting this technology to producing garments?

The project ran for 3 years (2018-2021) and completed two full rounds of prototyping with optimized software and materials. Based on the deliverables, a company with existing 3D-printing infrastructure could likely begin producing small runs after integrating the developed software and materials, but specific ramp-up timelines were not published.

Can these technologies integrate with existing fashion production workflows?

The project built an Open Innovation Platform to link know-how and communities across hubs, and connected with Berlin Maker Space Labs for small-scale production. The digital body-shaping software and polyjet printing tools were designed to complement existing design processes, with IED (European Institute of Design) involved in customized design creation.

Consortium

Who built it

The REFREAM consortium brings together 12 partners from 6 countries (Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy), with a balanced mix of 4 industry players, 3 universities, and 4 research organizations. Key technology providers include Stratasys (global leader in 3D printing), Fraunhofer IZM (e-textiles expertise), EMPA (Swiss materials science), and Haratech (additive manufacturing). The design side is anchored by the European Institute of Design (IED) and Art University of Linz. The coordinator, Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria, is a creative industries facilitator rather than a manufacturer, which signals this project prioritizes innovation ecosystems over direct commercialization. Notably, no partners are classified as SMEs, which may mean the technology transfer path to smaller fashion businesses still needs bridging.

CONSORZIO ARCA - CONSORZIO PER LA PROMOZIONE DELLE APPLICAZIONI DELLARICERCA E LA CREAZIONE DI AZIENDE INNOVATIVEparticipant · IT
ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION DE LAINDUSTRIA TEXTIL Y COSMETICAparticipant · ES
STRATASYS LTDparticipant · IL
PROFACTOR GMBHparticipant · AT
EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS- UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALTparticipant · CH

How to reach the team

Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria GmbH (Austria) — reach the project coordinator through SciTransfer for a warm introduction

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore 3D-printed fashion manufacturing or e-textile integration for your business? SciTransfer can connect you with the right REFREAM partner and provide a tailored technology brief.

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