In the grand premiere of “Taktiful Tuesdays”—yes, we’re making Tuesdays a thing now—host Eric Vessels rolls out the virtual red carpet for none other than Kevin Abergel, CEO and founder of Taktiful, and Morten Reitoft, the editorial wizard behind @INKISH. Together, they announce a collaboration so epic, even your printer might do a double-take: they’re joining forces to co-produce educational content focused on digital embellishment in the printing industry. Hold onto your ink cartridges! This episode shines a spotlight on their shared dream to jazz up the printing world with a dash of digital dazzle. Their master plan? To educate and empower print service providers (PSPs) and converters worldwide—because who doesn’t want global empowerment on their résumé? They’re all about helping businesses leverage cutting-edge technologies to stand out from the crowd and, naturally, boost those profit margins. Both teams are buzzing with excitement about the partnership and are committed to delivering high-quality, impactful content that might just make the paper it’s printed on blush.

In this follow-up to the widely-discussed article, “The Case for Standards in Digital Embellishments,” the first-ever panel on The Digital Embellishment Show dives deep into the pressing need for standardization in the digital print embellishment industry. Host Kevin Abergel and moderator Eric Vessels are joined by an all-star panel featuring Sabine Lenz (PaperSpecs), Sean Roberts (Konica Minolta USA), and Ryan Moskun (Harris & Bruno International). Together, they debate how the lack of consistent terminology, quality control measures, and design standards creates confusion and hinders adoption across the industry. Drawing on their diverse expertise, the panel highlights the challenges faced by designers and printers and explores how industry collaboration can drive clarity and growth. This engaging discussion covers critical topics such as the importance of unified language, the need for standardized material specifications, and strategies for balancing innovation with consistency. The panel agrees that simplifying communication through shared terminology and baseline standards is the key to unlocking the full potential of digital embellishments. By building on the momentum sparked by the article, this episode sets the stage for actionable solutions that could revolutionize the industry, making advanced embellishments more accessible, efficient, and profitable for everyone involved.

Join host Kevin Abergel in this enlightening episode of The Digital Embellishment Show as he chats with Bryar McDonald, Production Specialist at TUI Total Solutions—a family-owned Xerox dealer based in Central Florida. Discover how TUI evolved from a copier repair company into a pioneer in digital print embellishments.

Join us for a spirited recap of our Halloween-themed Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup held on October 31st! This engaging session was a smashing success, drawing over 25 creative minds all contributing actively to the conversation. In this video, you’ll catch highlights from the lively discussions led by Matt Redbear, Kevin Abergel and other industry leaders who shared insights, laughter, and a bit of Halloween fun. The event was made possible by the generous support of our main sponsor, MGI Digital Technology, along with co-sponsors Paper Specs and the Digital Embellishment Alliance. From creative costume ideas to professional insights on digital embellishment technologies, this meetup was not just about celebrating Halloween but also about forging stronger connections within the community and pushing the boundaries of digital print design. Whether you’re a designer looking to pick up new tips, a professional curious about the latest trends, or just here for the fun atmosphere, this video has something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out the recording of the full event here! Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this fantastic event. Your support and engagement are what make our community thrive. Stay tuned for more meetups and keep those creative juices flowing! 🎃👻💼 #DigitalPrint #DesignMeetup #HalloweenEvent

In this special episode of the Digital Embellishment Show, host Kevin Abergel introduces you to Sean Roberts, the newly appointed National Director for Digital Embellishment at @KonicaMinoltaUS . Join us as we explore Sean’s impressive background, his passion for innovation, and his vision for the future of digital embellishments in the printing industry. Discover: Sean’s journey from the 3D printing world to leading digital embellishments at Konica Minolta. His dynamic approach to enhancing print applications with innovative embellishment technologies. Insights into how Sean plans to drive market adoption and educate designers and print operators on digital embellishments. The importance of collaboration and standardization in the evolving landscape of the printing industry. Get to know the person behind the title and find out what makes Sean a unique addition to the Konica Minolta team. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of digital print embellishments in the USA! Subscribe for more insights into the world of digital embellishments and leave a comment to welcome Sean to the community!

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Digital Embellishment Show! In this installment, host Kevin Abergel sits down with John Carlin of Lahlouh to delve into the evolving landscape of the print industry. With over 28 years of experience, John shares invaluable insights on: • Transitioning from Management to Sales: How moving back into sales has changed with modern tools like LinkedIn and HubSpot. • The Power of Personalization: Exploring the untapped potential of variable data printing and how personalization enhances customer engagement. • Digital Embellishments: Discussing the underutilization of embellishments in print and how they can add value and profitability. • Trends in Packaging: From custom packaging solutions to the rise of influencer boxes and micro-run packaging for small businesses. • Authenticity in Marketing: The importance of genuine connections in today’s market and how big brands are adopting micro-branding strategies. John also highlights the challenges and opportunities in selling new printing capabilities and the significance of educating both sales teams and customers about the value of advanced print technologies. Connect with John Carlin by email at john.carlin@lahlouh.com If you’re passionate about the future of print, personalization, and innovative sales strategies, this episode is a must-watch! Don’t forget to: • Like this video if you found it insightful. • Subscribe to The Digital Embellishment Show for more expert interviews and industry insights. • Comment below with your thoughts and questions—we’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more episodes where we explore the cutting edge of print technology and marketing innovation.

This month’s Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup brought together over 20 design professionals for an engaging discussion about industry trends, designer challenges, and the creative use of digital embellishments. The meeting highlighted the importance of educating designers on the possibilities of digital embellishments and the untapped potential of variable data printing (VDP) for personalization and increased customer engagement. Attendees explored how soft touch coatings and tactile elements can significantly enhance the perceived value of printed materials, emphasizing the crucial role of collaboration between designers, printers, and clients. Key takeaways included the need for better file setup education, the role of perception and tactile impact in printed materials, and the potential for VDP to revolutionize customer interaction. We also welcomed new voices to the conversation and discussed exciting projects, emphasizing the value of sharing samples to educate clients and push creative boundaries. This session was filled with energy, and we’re looking forward to seeing more creative ideas unfold at our next meetup. Don’t miss out on this growing community—join us next month for more insights and inspiration!

In this episode of the Digital Embellishment Show, we are thrilled to announce a major addition to the Taktiful team. Join hosts Kevin Abergel and Eric Vessels, the former president of What They Think, as they delve into Eric's new role as Chief Experience Officer at Taktiful. Discover what a CXO does and how Eric plans to enhance every interaction with Taktiful, from customer and partner experiences to internal collaborations. Eric shares his passion for improving teamwork and productivity, drawing on his extensive entrepreneurial experience. Learn about Taktiful's innovative training programs designed to empower users of digital embellishment equipment and how Eric's expertise in workshopping and collaboration will take these programs to new heights. Whether you're a partner, customer, or just curious about the future of digital embellishment, this episode is packed with insights on how Taktiful is setting new standards in the industry. Don't miss Eric's vision for creating unforgettable experiences and the exciting plans for Taktiful's growth.

Check out this amazing digital embellishment designer meetup. Wonderful conversations on all kinds of tips, tricks questions and more. Thanks to our sponsors @MGImarcom @paperspecs and the Digital Embellishment Association.