The Power of Print & Digital Embellishment: A Deep Dive with Daniel Dejan | Taktiful Tuesdays Ep. 13

Welcome back to another episode of Taktiful Tuesdays! This week, host Eric Vessels sits down with the legendary Daniel Dejan—a graphic arts industry veteran, creative director at Dejan Associates, and co-founder of MarketWise Academy. Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge to the table with over four decades of experience in print production, paper selection, multi-channel marketing, and digital embellishment.

In this episode, we dive into:
– How print has evolved alongside digital media
– The profitability challenge for printers in a rapidly changing tech landscape
– The rise of digital embellishments (raised varnish, foil, haptics) and their impact on marketing
– Why the power of touch makes print more memorable than digital
– The future of print in a data-driven, AI-enhanced world

If you’re in the printing, design, or marketing industry, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Taktiful Tuesdays!

#PrintingIndustry #DigitalEmbellishment #TaktifulTuesdays #Marketing #PrintMedia #AI #Haptics #GraphicDesign

Eric Vessels ¡ Let's talk about Reactor ¡ Chief Experience Officer ¡ Taktiful

Eric Vessels ¡ Let's talk about Reactor ¡ Chief Experience Officer ¡ Taktiful

A conversation that starts with “vibe” quickly turns into something much more fundamental. In this INKISH interview, Morten Reitoft sits down with Eric Vessels from Taktiful to explore what may very well define the next phase of the print industry. Taktiful isn’t just a company. It’s a community, a training platform, and—if you ask Eric—a mindset. One that moves beyond transactions and into something far more powerful: creating fans instead of customers. Because in a world where print has been heavily commoditized, differentiation is no longer about speed or price—it’s about value, emotion, and experience. The conversation dives deep into what Eric calls “the value era” of digital embellishment. While traditional print has optimized for efficiency, embellishment opens a completely different playbook—one where uniqueness drives margin, and where tactile experiences create emotional engagement that digital media simply cannot replicate. This is where print regains its superpower. Morten challenges the thinking, pushing into pricing strategies, psychology, and the industry’s tendency to undervalue its own capabilities. From market-variable pricing models to the psychology of touch, the discussion reveals how much opportunity is still left untapped—not because the technology isn’t there, but because the mindset often isn’t. The interview also introduces Taktiful’s latest development: Reactor. A 3D visualization tool designed to bridge one of the biggest gaps in embellishment—showing rather than telling. By transforming layered PDF files into interactive, photorealistic previews, Reactor enables sales teams and customers alike to see, feel, and understand the value before anything is printed. But beneath the tools and strategies lies something else. A clear belief that the print industry doesn’t need to become something new—it needs to rediscover what already makes it unique. The ability to create physical experiences that people can touch, feel, and emotionally connect with. As Eric puts it: don’t take yourself too seriously—but take the business seriously. And maybe that balance—between playfulness and purpose—is exactly what the industry needs right now. Eric Vessels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericvessels/

En Digital Embellishment, Design, & Dogs: A Live Chat with Xerox’s Kelly Leahy | Taktiful Tuesdays #16

Digital Embellishment, Design, & Dogs: A Live Chat with Xerox’s Kelly Leahy | Taktiful Tuesdays #16

In this special live episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, we're coming straight from the Xerox Partner Summit in Las Vegas. I sat down with my longtime friend and Xerox legend Kelly Leahy—Senior Global Product Marketing Manager—to talk about everything from digital embellishment trends and the Genesis Initiative to the psychology of print, AI in design, and how print service providers can better educate their customers. We also dive into career growth, continuous learning, baseball tournaments, and dogs. If you're curious about where the print industry is headed, how digital embellishments can boost engagement, or just want to hear two print geeks talk shop (and dogs), you’re in the right place.

En From Pressman to Print Expert: Ken Huizenga’s 40-Year Print Journey | Taktiful Tuesdays Ep 15

From Pressman to Print Expert: Ken Huizenga’s 40-Year Print Journey | Taktiful Tuesdays Ep 15

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, we sit down with industry veteran Ken Huizenga, a print production expert with over 40 years of hands-on experience. Ken has seen everything from running sheet-fed presses in the ‘80s to embracing cutting-edge digital print and embellishment technology. We dive into: - How print production has evolved over the decades - The growing demand for faster turnaround times and higher-quality print - The role of digital embellishments in shaping the future of print - The skills modern press operators need to succeed - Why preventative maintenance is key to keeping your press running smoothly And on a fun note, we also talk car racing, whiskey, and the thrill of going fast—on and off the press!

En The Future of Print Design: Digital Embellishments with Matt Redbear | Taktiful Tuesdays #14

The Future of Print Design: Digital Embellishments with Matt Redbear | Taktiful Tuesdays #14

Welcome back to another episode of Taktiful Tuesdays! 🎉 This week, we’re diving deep into digital embellishments, print design, and creative innovation with no other than Matt Redbear—a design powerhouse and thought leader in specialty printing. From his roots in analog photography to pioneering modern digital embellishments, Matt shares his expert insights on: -The magic of blending artistry with technology -How to make print more impactful and interactive -The importance of negative space and subtle embellishments - How AI and automation are shaping the future of print You won't want to miss this conversation if you're a designer, brand, or print enthusiast. Plus, we geek out over vinyl records, creative inspiration, and more!

En The Evolution of Print: A Conversation with Industry Legend Frank Romano | Taktiful Tuesdays

The Evolution of Print: A Conversation with Industry Legend Frank Romano | Taktiful Tuesdays

In this special episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, host Eric Vessels sits down with the legendary Frank Romano, a true luminary in print. With a career spanning over six decades, Frank has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the printing industry—from hot metal type to digital printing and AI. What’s Inside This Episode? Frank’s journey from working at Mergenthaler Linotype to founding Typeworld and editing Pocket Pal The impact of automation and AI on print and graphic design The Museum of Printing’s latest acquisition: a 1700s English Common Press and a rare 1873 Sholes & Glidden typewriter Why direct mail is making a comeback and the future of digital embellishment Frank’s favorite place in the world and the one piece of history he treasures most Upcoming Event Alert!Join Frank Romano & industry leaders at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA, for a two-day digital embellishment workshop (April 22-23, 2025). More details inside! If you're passionate about print, history, and the future of design, this episode is a must-watch!

Feb 18 , 2025
Taktiful
Suite 130 #676 6300 N Wickham Road
32940 Melbourne
Florida
USA
Tel. : (321) 574-2296
Email : info@taktiful.com

Tue May 19th

Ep 52: Web-to-Print, AI, and Mental Health in...

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, Eric Vessels talks with Chris Minn, founder and CEO of Digital Ink, about the evolution of web-to-print, print on demand, automation, AI, and why print businesses need to rethink how their systems, marketing, sales, operations, and production connect. Chris explains why web-to-print is not dead, but the old way of thinking about it is. The future is not just a storefront or a customer portal. It is connected software stacks, cleaner data, integrated workflows, APIs, automation, and print on demand systems that help printers deliver the kind of buying experience customers now expect. Eric and Chris also discuss how AI is changing search, marketing, and software development in print, including why printers need better content, clearer websites, and more useful information if they want to be found by AI-driven search tools. The conversation also turns to Mental Health Awareness Month and Chris’s work with She*t 4 Brains, an industry effort focused on creating more honest conversations around mental health, stress, leadership, burnout, and the human side of print. Topics include: • Why web-to-print has evolved beyond storefronts • How print on demand changes business models • Why software strategy needs to come before implementation • Where AI creates real value in print today • How search behavior is changing with AI tools • Why printers need to tell their own story better • The importance of mental health conversations in the print industry • Why being present matters at work and at home Featuring Chris Minn of Digital Ink. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 in the United States to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.