Taktiful

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.

Welcome to the Halloween Spooktacular edition of the Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup hosted by Taktiful! 👻 In this special session, designers and printers came together—costumes and all—to talk about the biggest trends shaping print today: ✨ Digital Embellishment Goes Mainstream 🎨 Insights from PRINTING United 2025 and the packed Embellishment Technology Tour 🦸 Featuring comic artist Greg Horn’s collaboration with Color-Logic 💻 New tools from Adobe (Project Goldsmith) and Taktiful Reaktor 📦 Fresh applications in packaging, décor, and photography 🤝 Expert insights from Kevin Abergel, Matthew Redbear, Sabine Lenz, and guests Whether you’re a designer exploring texture, foil, and varnish—or a printer looking to add some #SexyPrint magic to your business—this meetup is packed with creative inspiration, tech updates, and practical tips. 🌀 Join the Taktisphere community and learn more at taktiful.com 📺 Watch more Taktiful content on YouTube: tutorials, meetups, and The Digital Embellishment Show #DigitalEmbellishment #Taktiful #SexyPrint #PRINTINGUnited #MGI #Scodix #Foil #SpotUV #PrintDesign #PackagingDesign #DesignCommunity

In this episode, Kevin Abergel from Taktiful talks with Jon Congdon and Neil Drever of Skandacor about one of the most talked-about launches from Printing United, the FinishPro 3D 1623. This conversation explores how @Skandacor's new system reshapes the entry point into inkjet based digital embellishment by bringing dimensional UV technology to a wider range of print providers. Topics discussed include: The evolving economics of embellishment and accessibility for smaller shops How the FinishPro 3D 1623 fits within the broader market of UV and foil technologies The emergence of a true “first stepping stone” in the embellishment adoption curve Market reactions, production speeds, and the role of short-run, high-value work What this shift means for the future of hybrid and digital print operations This is a thoughtful look at how innovation in pricing and design thinking can influence the pace of adoption across the print finishing landscape.

This week on Taktiful Tuesdays, I sit down with Brad Drever, the founder and driving force behind Skandacor. Brad shares the wild ride of starting out in a garage with a laminator and a dream, to becoming one of the most innovative forces in the digital embellishment game. We talk about the brand new Finish Pro 3D1623 - a machine that's shaking up the market by making high-end inkjet embellishment actually affordable for smaller shops. If you're a printer who's been priced out of this space in the past, you're going to want to hear this. But it’s not just about machines - Brad drops some serious wisdom on design, implementation, and why training and creativity matter more than ever in the value era of print. And as always, we go beyond the business and dive into what drives Brad personally, from his passion for reimagining education to the teachers and mentors that shaped his path. Don't miss this one – it’s full of heart, hustle, and ideas that could change your business.

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.