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.

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

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

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
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Florida
USA
Tel. : (321) 574-2296
Email : info@taktiful.com

Wed May 28th

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Ep. 1: Taktiful and Inkish Unite!

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. 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 rĂ©sumĂ©? 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.