At a recent Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup, a group of print and packaging designers gathered (virtually) to talk about “surface appeal”  – the almost magical draw of shiny, textured finishes – and how these tactile effects evoke emotional responses. The session held just before Thanksgiving, wasn’t a typical technical workshop. Instead, it delved into the science of shine and the emotions it sparks, from nostalgia and curiosity to surprise and even feelings of gratitu

The Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup (Halloween Spooktacular Edition) delivered equal parts education and festive fun. Designers, printers, and industry experts gathered (many in costume) on October 31st to talk all things print embellishment. This special community call, hosted by Kevin Abergel of Taktiful, was filled with insights from the recent PRINTING United expo, lively discussions on new technologies, and tips for creatives looking to add some “magic” to their pr

By Kevin Abergel, President of Taktiful From Niche to Mainstream: Embellishment Everywhere Walking the show floor at PRINTING United 2025 in Orlando felt like stepping into a dream that had finally come to life. Everywhere I looked, there were printers, designers, and technology partners talking about metallics, textures, and specialty effects. For years, we in the embellishment space have been saying that the key to fighting commoditization is differentiation. This year, it

When people hear “digital print embellishment,” they often think of shiny foil or glossy coatings that simply make a printed piece look...