As the Textile industry shifts to a digital future the technologies and software that will facilitate this seismic shift are of critical importance to the education of a new generation of design and print practitioners. Practical experience is an essential learning tool - it is the bedrock of all teaching and both inspires and generates new applications that push the boundaries of creativity. Kenny Macrae is the principle technician for Fashion and Textiles at Northumbria University and in this episode of the FESPA podcast we discuss the decision to invest in the HP Stitch print machine and how digital technologies and software suites are a vital part of the curriculum.