Taktiful

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, I finally sit down with my longtime friend and print industry legend, Chris Curran - VP of Media and Events at Printing United Alliance. From his first hands-on experience printing t-shirts at summer camp to shaping the voice of the industry's biggest expo, Chris has built a career on curiosity, connection, and a genuine love for print. We talk about: • His wild ride through Heidelberg, HP, Landa, and beyond • Why listening between the lines is the next level of consultative sales • How Printing United Expo is becoming a true crossroads of the industry • The power of physical print in a digital world • And of course, what it means to be a good steward of the print community We also geek out on sensory marketing, rugby, and the real reason those cinnamon rolls in the mall smell so damn good. 🎧 Tune in, share it with a print friend, and don't forget to subscribe — lots more ahead. Register for the PRINTING United Expo: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=284 🎟️ Learn more about the Embellishment Technology Tour we're running at this year's Printing United Expo: https://web.cvent.com/event/5a51b380-3ac8-41a0-9ab4-10d1c42b8bbe/summary

This week on Taktiful Tuesdays, we’re joined by Paul Furse – aka the digital embellishment guy – who recently stepped into a new role as Global Director of Marketing and Head of Business Development Americas at Harris & Bruno. We talk about his journey from growing up in a third-generation sign-painting family in New Orleans to helping brands scale digital embellishment across packaging, publishing, and beyond. Paul shares insights from his time at Scodix, Konica Minolta, and now Harris & Bruno – and we dig into why education and accessibility are still the biggest barriers (and opportunities) for this industry. We cover: • How Paul got pulled back into print after trying to leave it behind • The impact of digital embellishment on short-run, personalized, and regional packaging • What Harris & Bruno is doing differently with xMatte, xFoil, and sustainability • The future of design, AI, and the next 10 years of embellishment We even talk hiking, teenagers, and QR code tattoos. Yep, it’s that kind of episode. Watch. Listen. Rub your hands on a nice soft-touch finish while you do. This one’s a good one.

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays (#40!), I’m joined by my longtime friend and industry badass Sean Roberts, National Director of Digital Embellishment at Konica Minolta Industrial Print. We dive deep into his journey from Rubylith and Goldenrod paper to leading the charge on digital embellishment and helping reshape how printers add value beyond CMYK. Sean shares his perspective on how print has evolved over the decades, why mentorship matters more than ever, and how digital embellishment is aligning perfectly with today’s market needs. We also nerd out on why short-run packaging is exploding, what’s driving innovation at Konica Minolta, and how printers can use embellishment to boost margins and differentiation. Oh, and we definitely talk about Printing United Expo and what folks can expect when they stop by booth 5200 for the Digital Embellishment Technology Tour.

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, I finally sit down with my longtime friend and print industry legend, Chris Curran - VP of Media and Events at Printing United Alliance. From his first hands-on experience printing t-shirts at summer camp to shaping the voice of the industry's biggest expo, Chris has built a career on curiosity, connection, and a genuine love for print. We talk about: • His wild ride through Heidelberg, HP, Landa, and beyond • Why listening between the lines is the next level of consultative sales • How Printing United Expo is becoming a true crossroads of the industry • The power of physical print in a digital world • And of course, what it means to be a good steward of the print community We also geek out on sensory marketing, rugby, and the real reason those cinnamon rolls in the mall smell so damn good. 🎧 Tune in, share it with a print friend, and don't forget to subscribe — lots more ahead. Register for the PRINTING United Expo: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=284 🎟️ Learn more about the Embellishment Technology Tour we're running at this year's Printing United Expo: https://web.cvent.com/event/5a51b380-3ac8-41a0-9ab4-10d1c42b8bbe/summary

This week on Taktiful Tuesdays, we’re joined by Paul Furse – aka the digital embellishment guy – who recently stepped into a new role as Global Director of Marketing and Head of Business Development Americas at Harris & Bruno. We talk about his journey from growing up in a third-generation sign-painting family in New Orleans to helping brands scale digital embellishment across packaging, publishing, and beyond. Paul shares insights from his time at Scodix, Konica Minolta, and now Harris & Bruno – and we dig into why education and accessibility are still the biggest barriers (and opportunities) for this industry. We cover: • How Paul got pulled back into print after trying to leave it behind • The impact of digital embellishment on short-run, personalized, and regional packaging • What Harris & Bruno is doing differently with xMatte, xFoil, and sustainability • The future of design, AI, and the next 10 years of embellishment We even talk hiking, teenagers, and QR code tattoos. Yep, it’s that kind of episode. Watch. Listen. Rub your hands on a nice soft-touch finish while you do. This one’s a good one.

Digital embellishments like foil, spot UV, and raised varnish can turn ordinary print into unforgettable print. But too often, designers unknowingly hand off files that cause delays, spoilage, or costly reprints. In this session, award-winning embellishment designer (and machine operator) Matthew Redbear shares the top 5 design hacks that will make your printer’s life easier—and your projects smoother, faster, and more impressive. You’ll learn: ✅ How to label and structure your spot layers the right way ✅ Why vectors beat pixels for foil and varnish ✅ The real limits of tiny text and hairline strokes ✅ How to use overprint preview as your “crystal ball” ✅ Why mockups and communication save everyone time and money Whether you’re new to embellishments or an experienced designer looking to tighten your workflow, these tips will save headaches and make your files a joy to print. 👉 Watch until the end for practical checklists you can start using on your very next project.