Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

We've answered the questions schools, teachers, and parents ask us most. Can't find what you're looking for? Just ask us directly.

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About the Programs 8 questions Hardware & Equipment 5 questions For Schools & Coordinators 7 questions For Teachers 5 questions For Students & Parents 5 questions
Section 1

About the Programs

What Makeful offers and how each format works.

Makeful runs three program formats — Teacher Professional Development, Summer Camp, and Full-Year Enrichment. Each is designed for a different context, but all combine FashionTech design, 3D printing, and real hands-on making.

What exactly is FashionTech STEAM?

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FashionTech STEAM uses fashion design as the entry point into serious technical learning — 3D printing, materials science, electronics, AI design tools, and sustainability. Students tackle real-world challenges (like designing garments that purify air or monitor stress levels) and learn engineering and technology through making something they actually want to wear.

The "STEAM" stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Fashion provides the creative and social context that makes those subjects feel meaningful rather than abstract.

What are the three program formats and how do they differ?

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Teacher Professional Development — A self-paced online course that equips teachers with the skills, confidence, and physical kit to bring FashionTech STEAM into their own classrooms. No prior technical knowledge needed. Includes 25 modules, 70+ video tutorials, and a complete 3D-printed fashion kit shipped to the teacher.

Summer Camp Program — A complete 14-day program licensed to schools. Makeful trains your school's staff to deliver it. All hardware and materials are provided by Makeful. Schools run the sessions themselves with Makeful's full curriculum support.

Full-Year Enrichment Program — Bi-weekly online sessions run by Makeful-qualified instructors, in small groups of maximum 8 students. A school guardian is present at all sessions. Students build a full project portfolio over the academic year. Hardware is delivered to and managed by Makeful.

Does Makeful send instructors to schools?

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No — for Summer Camp and short-term programs, Makeful trains the school's own staff to deliver the program. You use your own people, with Makeful's curriculum, materials, and ongoing support behind them.

For the Full-Year Enrichment Program, Makeful instructors run all sessions online. They never visit the school in person. A school guardian is always present in the online session.

What age group are the programs designed for?

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Makeful programs are designed for K–12 students. Specific program tracks are age-appropriate and will be confirmed at enrollment. The Summer Camp and Full-Year Enrichment programs work best with students aged 10–18. Teacher Professional Development is for adults.

Students don't need prior experience with technology, 3D printing, or fashion design. Curiosity is the only prerequisite.

What do students actually make during the program?

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Students tackle real-world design challenges and build physical, wearable projects. Examples include:

  • 3D-printed garments that purify the air (yes, really — one student's ballet dress won awards)
  • Stress-monitoring wearables using conductive filament
  • Glow-in-the-dark safety clothing for high-pollution cities
  • Thermochromic accessories that change colour with temperature
  • Redesigned medical wearables combining function with beauty

Every student leaves with at least one finished, portfolio-quality piece. Full-Year students build a complete portfolio of projects.

How are online sessions structured for the Full-Year Program?

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Sessions run bi-weekly (every two weeks) in small groups of maximum 8 students. Each session is led live by a Makeful-qualified instructor via video call, with the school guardian present throughout. Sessions typically combine direct instruction, hands-on making time at the students' workstations (with the 3D printers provided by Makeful), and group discussion or critique.

Between sessions, students have access to the Esmerise platform for resources, tutorials, and the student forum where they can ask questions (always with the school guardian's visibility).

Is the program available in languages other than English?

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Currently, Makeful programs are delivered primarily in English, with Czech also available. We are actively expanding to other languages. Please contact us if you have a specific language requirement — we'll always try to find a solution.

In which countries are programs available?

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Makeful is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, and operates globally — with a strong focus on English-speaking markets including the United States and United Kingdom, where we are actively growing. We currently work with schools in 8+ countries.

The Full-Year Enrichment Program can be delivered online to any location. For Summer Camp programs, hardware shipping logistics will be confirmed at enrollment.

Section 2

Hardware & Equipment

Everything about the 3D printers and materials we provide.

Makeful is fully responsible for all hardware. Schools never need to buy, repair, or replace any equipment. Here's how it all works.

Does the school need to buy any equipment?

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No. Makeful provides all 3D printers, tools, filaments, and materials needed to run the program. Everything is included in the program fee. Schools provide the venue, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and their own staff or guardian — that's it.

You won't find a hidden "materials cost" or "equipment surcharge." What we quote is what you pay.

What happens if a 3D printer breaks during the program?

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Makeful fixes it or replaces it at no cost to the school. Full stop. All hardware is owned, insured, and maintained by Makeful. Schools are never responsible for the cost of repair or replacement, regardless of how the damage occurred during normal program use.

If a printer malfunctions mid-program, contact us immediately and we'll arrange a repair or replacement as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption.

How does the hardware get to our school and back?

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Makeful arranges delivery of all hardware to your school venue before the program starts, and collection after it ends. Delivery and collection logistics are confirmed with you at enrollment. International shipping to the UK, US, and other markets is handled by Makeful — schools don't need to arrange anything.

What do we need to provide in terms of space and facilities?

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You need a dedicated workspace with:

  • Adequate power outlets — at minimum one per 3D printer
  • Reasonable ventilation (3D printing produces minimal fumes, but good airflow is recommended)
  • Tables at a comfortable working height for students
  • A lockable storage space for hardware when not in use
  • Reliable Wi-Fi for platform access and online sessions

We'll send you a detailed venue checklist after enrollment so you can confirm everything is in place before the program starts.

Are the materials safe for children to use?

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Yes. All materials used in Makeful programs are selected with student safety in mind. Standard PLA filament — the most common material used — is made from plant-based sources and is considered one of the safest 3D printing materials available. We do not use materials that require significant fume extraction beyond standard room ventilation.

Specific material safety data sheets are available on request. Please inform us of any known allergies at enrollment so we can advise accordingly.

Section 3

For Schools & Coordinators

Procurement, logistics, and what to expect.

The questions school coordinators and procurement teams typically ask before signing up. If something isn't covered here, email us — we'll answer within 2 working days.

How do we get started?

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Request an info pack via our contact form or email info@makeful.com. We'll come back to you with full program details, pricing, and a proposed timeline. If you'd like to discuss further before committing, we're happy to arrange a call with Linette directly.

How much does it cost?

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Pricing depends on the program format, number of students, and your location. We don't publish a fixed price list because we want to ensure we're quoting accurately for your specific context — shipping hardware internationally, for example, varies significantly.

Request an info pack and we'll send you a detailed proposal with transparent pricing. No hidden costs — what we quote covers everything including hardware, materials, and training.

What staff training does Makeful provide for Summer Camp?

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Full training for your designated staff is included in the Summer Camp fee. Training covers: operating the 3D printers safely and confidently, delivering the curriculum modules, managing the program schedule, troubleshooting common hardware issues, and supporting students through the design and making process.

Training is typically delivered online ahead of the program. Your staff don't need any prior experience with 3D printing — we've designed the training to take them from zero to confident.

Can we include Makeful as an extracurricular activity in our school prospectus?

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Yes — we actively encourage this. We can provide approved descriptions, logos, and imagery for use in your school prospectus, website, or marketing materials. Please contact us for a media pack.

What does the school guardian need to do during online sessions?

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The school guardian is required to be present in the video call for the full duration of every online session. Their role is supervisory — they don't need to teach or facilitate, but they must be visible and engaged. This is a non-negotiable safeguarding requirement. If a guardian cannot attend a scheduled session, the school must notify Makeful at least 24 hours in advance and Makeful will reschedule.

Does the program meet curriculum standards?

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Makeful programs are designed to complement and enrich school curricula rather than replace specific lessons. They address learning outcomes across Design & Technology, Science, Computing, Art & Design, and Maths — depending on the program and age group. We can provide curriculum mapping documentation on request to help you demonstrate the program's educational value to your school leadership.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of students per program?

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For the Full-Year Enrichment Program, groups are capped at 8 students — this is intentional. Small groups allow for meaningful mentorship, proper access to hardware, and the kind of focused creative work that produces real portfolio pieces.

For Summer Camp programs, group sizes are specified in the program agreement. Minimum enrollment thresholds apply and will be confirmed at the proposal stage.

Section 4

For Teachers

About the professional development program.

Teacher training is the foundation of everything Makeful does. Here's what it looks like from the teacher's perspective.

Do I need technical experience to join the teacher training?

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Absolutely not. Linette has spent 7 years learning what works and what doesn't with 3D printing in education — so you don't have to. The training is designed to take you from zero to confident, regardless of your technical background. If you can teach, you can do this.

What's included in the teacher professional development course?

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The course includes:

  • 25 modules with 70+ video tutorials — all self-paced, all on Esmerise
  • 8 inspirational talks from working FashionTech designers and innovators
  • Ready-to-use teaching materials you can bring directly to your students
  • Mentoring and support from Linette throughout
  • A complete physical 3D-printed fashion kit with materials — shipped to you

Once complete, you'll have a licence to use the teaching materials in your own classroom with your own students.

How long does the teacher training take?

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The course is fully self-paced — you work through it at your own schedule. Most teachers complete it over 4–8 weeks depending on how much time they can dedicate. There's no expiry on access, so you can take longer if you need to.

Can I run Makeful-style sessions in my classroom after completing the training?

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Yes — that's exactly the point. Your training includes a personal classroom licence to use Makeful's teaching materials and lesson plans with your own students. This licence is personal to you and covers use within your own teaching practice.

If you want to run a wider school program, host a summer camp, or build something bigger, talk to us — we love collaboration and can discuss a school-level license.

Will I get a certificate on completion?

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Yes — teachers who complete the Makeful Professional Development Program receive a certificate of completion. We're also working on formal CPD accreditation for future cohorts. Contact us for the latest on this.

Section 5

For Students & Parents

What participating in a Makeful program is actually like.

What students and parents most often want to know before committing to a Makeful program.

My child has no experience with technology. Is Makeful right for them?

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Yes — and honestly, it's one of the things Makeful is best at. Students who come in curious but inexperienced often have the most transformative experiences, because nothing gets in the way of their excitement. You don't need to know what a 3D printer is to learn how to use one. You just need to want to make something.

Is online communication between my child and a Makeful instructor supervised?

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Always. Makeful operates strict supervision rules for all communication with students:

  • All live sessions have a school guardian present in the video call
  • Email communication always includes the school guardian in copy
  • Written communication on the Esmerise platform is public to all participants and the guardian — there are no private messages
  • Makeful instructors will never contact students through social media, personal messages, or any channel outside these supervised routes

For full details, see our Safeguarding & Child Protection Statement.

Who owns the things my child makes?

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Your child owns everything they make. Completely. Makeful makes no claim over student work, designs, or portfolios. The physical project goes home with the student.

Makeful may ask for permission to photograph student work for our website or marketing materials — this is always separate, always optional, and always requires written consent from the parent or guardian.

Will my child receive any marketing emails from Makeful?

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No. Student email addresses are used only for enrollment confirmation and online class access. We never send students newsletters, promotional emails, or any marketing content. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

What if my child misses a session?

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For the Full-Year Program, sessions are recorded and available on the Esmerise platform so students can catch up. Missing one session won't derail a student's project — the curriculum is designed with some flexibility. If a student misses several sessions, the school and Makeful will work together to find the best path forward for that student.

For Summer Camp sessions delivered by school staff, catch-up arrangements are at the school's discretion.

Still have questions?

We'll answer everything personally.

No automated responses. No generic brochures. Just a real conversation about whether Makeful is right for your school.

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More information

Read our Terms & Conditions for full program policies. Read our Privacy Policy for how we handle data. Read our Safeguarding Statement for our child protection commitments.

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