Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup: Halloween Spooktacular Recap

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 print projects. Below we recap the highlights and key takeaways from the meetup in a casual, community-focused tone – with plenty of educational nuggets for anyone interested in digital print embellishments.

Setting the Scene: A Spooky (and Informative) Meetup

The meetup kicked off with a warm welcome and some Halloween spirit. Several attendees came dressed up for the occasion – there were wigs, props, and a lot of laughter as everyone showed off their costumes on camera. This playful vibe set the tone, reminding us that this monthly designer meetup is as much about community and camaraderie as it is about technical knowledge. Kevin Abergel (President of Taktiful) greeted participants and introduced co-hosts like Sabine Lenz of PaperSpecs and designer Matthew “Redbear” Parker. The informal banter (including jokes about long wigs and a Forrest Gump look-alike) helped break the ice.

Amid the fun, Kevin thanked the sponsors that make these meetups possible. Shout-outs went to MGI (pioneers of digital embellishment equipment), PaperSpecs (Sabine’s paper and design resource), and the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA). Their support underscores how collaborative this space is – vendors, associations, and experts coming together to educate designers about embellishment techniques. With the introductions done and a record number of attendees logged in, it was time to dive into the day’s hot topic: the explosion of digital embellishments in the print industry and highlights from the recent PRINTING United trade show.

PRINTING United Buzz: Embellishment Goes Mainstream

Shifting from Halloween costumes to industry trends, the group excitedly discussed the PRINTING United Expo that took place the week prior in Orlando. For those unfamiliar, PRINTING United is one of the largest printing industry trade shows, spanning everything from commercial printing and packaging to wide-format, textiles, and more. This year, digital embellishment technology stole the spotlight. Kevin Abergel penned a post-show article titled “A Dream Come True: Digital Print Embellishment Steals the Spotlight at PRINTING United”, and the sentiment was echoed by everyone on the call.

So, what’s the big deal? In short, print embellishments have moved from niche novelty to mainstream necessity. Gone are the days when special effects like foils, spot gloss, and textured coatings were seen as gimmicky or “luxury” add-ons – today they’re viewed as a strategic tool for business growth  . At the expo, booths across the show floor were covered in shimmering, tactile samples that drew in crowds . Printers of all sizes were no longer asking “Should we invest in embellishment?” but rather “Which system should we buy, and what effects are customers asking for?” The tone has shifted from curiosity to commitment, as one attendee put it. In an industry often challenged by commoditization, offering eye-catching embellishments is now seen as key to standing out from “race-to-the-bottom” print pricing .

Matthew Redbear, who presented during the meetup, described the show floor as almost overwhelming – a sensory overload of metallic foils, raised varnish textures, holographic effects, and more. “Everywhere you looked, someone was talking about metallics, textures, and specialty effects,” he noted, confirming that the message of differentiation through embellishments has finally landed . After years of slow adoption, it’s clear that technology, education, and creative confidence have aligned to bring digital embellishment into the mainstream .

Several major manufacturers debuted new embellishment equipment or enhancements to existing machines. It seems nearly every press vendor now has some embellishment capability – either built-in or as an add-on – because demand is growing. “It was incredible; everybody had their fingers in it,” Kevin said. Companies like Konica Minolta (which partners with MGI for digital foiling and varnish machines), Scodix (known for its standalone digital enhancement presses), Roland (wide-format devices that can print textures), Canon (showcasing new neon and specialty toners), SwissQprint (flatbed UV printers doing amazing fine-detail varnish effects), Duplo (with spot coating devices), and more were all featuring ways to add shine and dimension to print. Even traditionally non-embellishment booths had something sparkly on display. The consensus from the meetup: if you didn’t have some kind of embellishment offering, you definitely felt left out.

“From Gimmick to Goldmine” – Why It Matters Now

Why the sudden emphasis on embellishments? The meetup panelists explained that print buyers today crave tangible experiences. In a world saturated with digital media, a printed piece that glimmers, shimmers, or literally stands out (raised texture) can command attention like nothing else. Brands have noticed that these effects not only enhance aesthetics but also evoke an emotional response – touch and visual sparkle engage customers and add perceived value. As Kevin wrote in his article, print embellishment can “make print tactile, beautiful, profitable, and impossible to ignore” . Printers are tired of competing on price alone; offering embellishments is a way to offer premium products that clients will pay more for because of the added impact.

Importantly, new digital methods have made embellishments more accessible than traditional methods. In the past, adding foil or spot varnish meant lengthy setups, costly dies or screens, and high volume runs to justify the expense – so only big budgets could play. Now, digital embellishment devices (like the MGI JETvarnish, Scodix Ultra, etc.) allow short runs, personalization, and on-demand special effects with no tooling. This democratization of bling means even a small design shop or local printer can offer one-off foiled invitations or short-run packaging with raised spot UV, without breaking the bank. It’s a game-changer for creatives.

Key Insight: What was once a curiosity or gimmick is now seen as a must-have capability. Special effects printing has become a credible, business-driving service rather than just eye candy. When print’s biggest software company (Adobe) and major press manufacturers are investing heavily in embellishment tech, you know it’s here to stay .

Embellishment Technology Tour: Standing-Room-Only Success

One of the standout stories from PRINTING United – and a big talking point in the meetup – was the Digital Embellishment Technology Tour that Taktiful organized on the show floor. Imagine a guided tour where a group of designers and printers don wireless headsets and are led booth-to-booth to see the latest embellishment equipment in action. That’s exactly what happened, and the response blew everyone away.

Attendees gather around a booth during the guided Embellishment Technology Tour at PRINTING United. The tour, powered by Taktiful, had such high demand that the team had to double the number of sessions and headsets, ultimately accommodating over 150 attendees across multiple tours . Each stop on the tour gave a 5-6 minute “lightning demo” from an exhibitor, highlighting what their technology can do – with no time for heavy sales pitches, just facts and show-and-tell. Participants loved this format because it was efficient and focused. As designer Sally W. on the meetup described, “It was handled really well. Even in the noisy hall, the headsets let us focus at each stop. We learned a ton about what different vendors do.” By moving as a pack from one embellishment demo to the next, attendees could absorb a lot quickly – and with strength in numbers, they didn’t feel pressured by any one vendor.

One particularly exciting area was wide-format and industrial applications. The tour (and broader show) opened designers’ eyes that embellishment isn’t just for business cards or brochures. For instance, at a SwissQprint demo, they saw a large-format flatbed printer jetting precise glossy patterns onto a poster, achieving fine details and texture even at a big scale (imagine an art print where you can literally feel the brush strokes). Over at Roland, a crowd-pleaser was a new system for creating 3D-embossed wall coverings and vehicle wraps. Using a special expandable ink and media, the process “puffs” up areas of a print to form a raised texture – except where a design is printed to keep it flat, resulting in a very cool dimensional effect for wallpaper, murals, or car graphics. Kevin showed off a sample – a wallpaper with tiny ridges and lines that were incredibly sharp and perfectly spaced, demonstrating that even huge prints can carry intricate embellishments.

And we can’t forget direct-to-object printing: a company called LSINC impressed folks by printing on non-flat items like glass bottles and ceramic mugs. Their device can spin a 3D object and inkjet print 360° around it with UV inks and spot embellishments. The idea that you could decorate a wine bottle with raised foil accents or a textured label in one digital pass had designers imagining new possibilities for product packaging.

The feedback from tour participants was glowing. Printer Andrew S. shared during the meetup that he grabbed samples from every single booth on the tour and couldn’t wait to show his team back home “what’s possible now.” He said it was eye-opening to see how many different approaches and effects fall under the umbrella of “embellishment.” From entry-level devices to high-end production presses, each had its niche – and you could tell which vendors were the seasoned leaders and which were just getting started by the sophistication of their samples. By the end of the tour, people were buzzing with ideas. In fact, Kevin noted that some attendees literally ran back to certain booths afterward to request quotes or even placed orders on the spot !

A memorable moment recounted was when the tour group handled a print with a raised spot varnish logo. Upon feeling the glossy logo pop off the page, one person remarked, “This is how you stop your clients from comparing you to a budget printer.” In other words, these effects add a value that cheap print vendors can’t easily match. That comment “summed up the whole movement” according to Kevin  – embellishments empower printers to offer something special that differentiates them.

For anyone who has never been to a major print show, the meetup panel strongly recommended it. “I think it should be on every designer’s and printer’s bucket list,” Matt Redbear said. Even if you go for just a day or two, you’ll see technologies and creative applications you never imagined. As Sabine added, “Go once – even half a day – it’s enough inspiration to fuel you for years.” The PRINTING United tour validated that seeing and touching these print effects in person is the best way to understand their impact. As Kevin wrote, “Once people experience embellishment firsthand, they get it. It isn’t theory. It’s business opportunity – and it’s fun.” 

Star Power: When a Comic Artist Meets Embellishment Magic

One of the coolest anecdotes from the show (and discussed in the meetup) was the involvement of Greg Horn, a famous comic book artist, known for his Marvel and DC Comics cover art. Greg Horn’s presence at a print industry expo might seem surprising, but he was there for a special collaboration to demonstrate just what embellishments can do when paired with great design.

Greg Horn teamed up with Color-Logic (a company that makes software for designing metallic and special effects) and several print partners to produce limited-edition collectible art prints live at the event. Each day of the expo, a different Greg Horn illustration was printed in a dazzling way: they used Unifoil’s metallic stock (a shiny silver paper), laid down white ink under certain areas, and then printed CMYK inks plus special effect layers using Color-Logic’s system  . The prints were further enhanced with digital foils and dimensional varnish from partners like Konica Minolta’s MGI and others. Under the lights, these prints gleamed like fine art, with metallic hues and tactile finishes bringing the comic artwork to life.

The result? Crowds of people lined up to get their hands on these exclusive prints . Greg Horn himself was at the show, autographing some of the pieces for fans. Sabine Lenz had guided Greg on a tour of the embellishment booths, and she recounted that “he had no idea this was possible – now that he’s seen it, you just can’t go back.” This from a seasoned artist who thought printing on foil board previously was the pinnacle of special effects! The collaboration demonstrated how creativity meets capability: Greg’s stunning illustrations plus the various embellishment techniques produced prints that had everyone in awe . As Kevin’s article put it, “it takes something already great and turns it into an experience… It made print feel cool again and gave designers permission to dream bigger.” 

This kind of cross-disciplinary highlight – a comic artist working with print technologists – signals a broader trend: designers from all fields are starting to discover what digital print embellishment can do. It’s not just for print nerds or press operators; it’s becoming part of the creative toolkit for illustrators, packaging designers, brand marketers, etc. When someone of Greg Horn’s stature embraces it, you know it’s making waves. The meetup attendees loved this example, and it sparked ideas about collaborating with artists or influencers to create more “wow factor” print pieces. It also underscored an educational point: designers can achieve incredible effects when they understand the materials and technologies available. Metallic substrates, white ink, and effect plugins like Color-Logic can expand the visual palette far beyond standard CMYK print – yielding a final product that truly pops.

For those curious, the Color-Logic team revealed that they had 36 different illustrations in the Greg Horn collector series (spread across 12 partner booths, with a new print each day of the 3-day show) . Only 150 of each were made. It became a sort of treasure hunt at the expo to collect all the variants – a brilliant way to drive traffic to those booths and let people witness embellishments in action. The campaign even included special authenticity stickers and a chance to win a fully signed print . This is a great case of marketing meets print innovation, and likely something we’ll see more of at future events.

Tools & Tech: Automation Makes Embellishment Easier

A recurring theme in the meetup discussion was software and automation – essentially, making it easier for designers and printers to create and produce embellished designs. One big name came up: Adobe. The fact that Adobe (creators of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) is devoting attention to print embellishments is itself a sign of mainstream adoption. At the expo, Adobe previewed a new workflow tool codenamed Project Goldsmith which aims to simplify preparing files for embellishments . Traditionally, setting up a file for, say, spot UV or foil requires creating separate mask layers (often as vector shapes or spot color separations), managing knockouts, and carefully communicating with your printer on what goes where. This can be intimidating for designers who’ve never done it. “For years, file prep was one of the biggest barriers,” Kevin noted . Project Goldsmith promises to automate a lot of that: it can “easily normalize and prepare print files for foil, spot gloss, and raised effects,” reducing the manual work . Seeing Adobe actually demo this live, in partnership with print hardware folks, felt “surreal” and exciting to those in the know . When the biggest creative software company invests in making special effects easier, it signals that embellishment is no outsider fad – it’s fully arrived in the design workflow .

In addition to Adobe’s efforts, the meetup touched on other tools:

• Color-Logic and Touch7: These are Adobe plugin tools that many designers are already using to create metallic and expanded gamut designs. One attendee, Sarah, mentioned she has used Color-Logic’s system for a client – it allows you to designate areas for metallic ink and create dazzling effects in a relatively simple way, by working in Photoshop/Illustrator with their plug-in and swatch sets. Touch7 is another tool (from the same company) for adding neon/extended-gamut colors. Such software bridges the gap for designers to more intuitively add effects without guessing at how they’ll print.

• Taktiful’s software initiatives: Kevin and Matt also mentioned that Taktiful is developing solutions to streamline the embellishment process for users. In fact, at PRINTING United they showcased a platform called Reaktor that lets you visualize embellishments in 3D before printing . You can upload your artwork and toggle on simulated foil or varnish layers, viewing a hyper-realistic preview of the final print. This kind of tool is incredibly useful – it helps designers experiment and get client approval on an effect before actually running an expensive print test. According to Kevin, it “bridges the gap between creative intent and production reality” , and the crowd’s reaction was very positive. The takeaway: expect to see more software that makes designing for embellishments as straightforward as using a filter or layer style in Adobe. The industry is addressing the education and workflow hurdles that once made embellishments seem scary.

The consensus among meetup attendees was that these kinds of automation and visualization tools are key to wider adoption. When designers are confident in setting up their files and can preview results, they’ll propose embellishments more often. And when print providers can automate effect workflows, they’ll fulfill jobs more efficiently. It’s a virtuous cycle: easier creation leads to more creative use, which leads to more demand.

Design & Production: Bridging the Knowledge Gap

While the new tech is exciting, an important part of the meetup conversation was about education – specifically, educating designers on production capabilities, and vice versa. Karlien M., a paper specialist who joined the call for the first time, emphasized how crucial it is to “close the gap between the bindery/production side and the design side.” In practical terms, this means designers should involve their print partners early when planning a project with embellishments. Knowing what equipment and materials are available (and their requirements) from the start can save headaches later. “It’s better to know in the beginning what your options and specs are, than to get halfway through design and realize something won’t work,” Karlien noted. This advice rang true for many on the call who have learned the hard way that not every shiny idea is feasible on every machine or substrate.

To aid this understanding, physical samples are priceless. The group encouraged designers to build a library of “print treasures.” Whenever you attend a trade show or vendor demo, grab samples of foil, embossing, textured prints, etc. These tactile references not only inspire your design ideas but also help communicate to clients (and printers) what effect you’re aiming for. Kevin held up some examples during the Zoom: one was a wide-format print with detailed raised gloss patterns, another was a piece with a special varnish that puffs up and even smells like chocolate (courtesy of a scented coating showcased in a Sappi sample book). These kinds of samples spark conversations with clients – print becomes interactive and memorable. “You want something memorable for the brand,” Karlien said, “and showing a client an actual textured or shiny piece can sell an idea better than any description.”

Karlien, who works with Clampitt Paper in Dallas, also pointed out the value of knowing your substrates. Paper and printable materials come in a stunning variety these days – from soft-touch laminates to rainbow holographic boards. Some luxury cover materials can simulate the look of metal or leather, while being printable and even embossable. For instance, if a design calls for a high-gloss bronze look but budget can’t afford actual foil stamping, there might be a pre-metalized paper or Mirri board alternative that achieves a similar effect when combined with the right printing. By staying in touch with paper merchants and specialty suppliers, designers can learn about new substrates as they hit the market (Karlien mentioned one from DreamScape that hadn’t even officially launched yet, which she discovered at the show).

This kind of knowledge truly empowers designers. It means when a client asks “What can we do that’s different and high-end?” you’ll have some ideas in your back pocket – and you’ll know which print shop or partner can execute it. The meetup reinforced that communities like this one are great for exactly that kind of knowledge sharing. No single designer or printer can know everything (the universe of papers, foils, coatings, and machines is HUGE), but by networking, you can quickly get answers or referrals. As Karlien put it, “I might not have a certain equipment in-house, but I know who does, or I know someone who can guide me on how to spec the job so it runs right.”

A tip that emerged: involve your printer or embellishment provider early. If you’re designing a piece with foil or varnish effects, talk to the production experts while you’re still in concept stage. They can advise on file setup (e.g., “keep a 1mm gap between foil and text to avoid fill-in” or “minimize skinny fonts for raised varnish because it might bead up”), on material choices (“this stock holds foils better than that one”), and finishing considerations (“we can do that effect, but not full bleed, need a margin”). These pointers can inform your design and save from costly adjustments later.

Moreover, by understanding the capabilities and limitations of the equipment, you can design to its strengths. For example, if you know your printer has an MGI JetVarnish that can lay down up to 100 microns of varnish height, you might incorporate a bold embossed pattern that takes advantage of that. Or if they have a Roland wide-format that can do textured wall graphics, you might pitch an interior decor project with custom textured wallpaper. The meetup was essentially a forum where such knowledge was traded freely – which is relatively rare, as Karlien noted. Many design groups or print groups exist, but one that specifically bridges both and on a national/international scale is unique. It’s a big reason participants keep coming back each month.

In summary, the designer-printer collaboration is more important than ever with embellishments. When done right, the results can be spectacular; when done in isolation, there’s risk of miscommunication. The good news is communities like this meetup, the new “Taktisphere” platform (more on that next), and associations like FSEA provide channels to connect and learn from each other’s experiences.

Tips for Designers (from the discussion):

• Attend Trade Shows or Open Houses: Even one day at a print expo can expose you to new ideas and samples. If travel is tough, see if local suppliers or print shops have open house events. There’s no substitute for seeing and touching print effects in person.

• Build a Sample Library: Collect examples of different foils, coatings, papers. Refer to them for inspiration or to show clients. Many vendors will mail sample packs if you request them.

• Learn the Lingo and Process: Understand terms like spot UV, emboss, deboss, sleeking, lamination, white ink etc. Knowing how these are done (and if your printer offers them) will inform your design choices. Don’t hesitate to ask your print partner for guidelines – they often have design tip sheets for using their specialty processes.

• Design with Finishing in Mind: Incorporate the embellishment as part of the initial concept, not just an afterthought. For instance, plan areas of your design that will have foil or texture and keep those layers separate in your artwork for easy mask creation. Use high-resolution images and vector art for best results on high-detail effects.

• Communicate Early and Often: When quoting a project with embellishments, involve the production team early. Get their input on file prep, material compatibility, and turnaround time impacts. This collaboration will make the final handoff smoother.

• Stay Educated: The field is evolving. Follow industry news sites, join forums or LinkedIn groups, and of course attend community meetups! New machines, foils, and software are coming out all the time – staying current will keep your design offerings fresh and exciting.

Expanding Horizons: Beyond Paper to New Markets

Another exciting realization from the meetup was that embellishments aren’t limited to typical print products. We’ve hinted at this with wall coverings and bottles, but let’s lay it out: the same technologies that elevate a business card can also revolutionize packaging, signage, interior decor, and even personal memorabilia.

• Packaging & Labels: High-end packaging (cosmetics, spirits, electronics, etc.) has long used foils and varnishes via conventional methods. Now, digital embellishment allows shorter runs and faster turnaround for packaging prototypes or limited editions. We heard that textured coatings and digital foils can go on labels, folding cartons, and even shrink sleeves. During the show, there were examples of craft beer labels with raised gloss hop designs, and small run boxes with foil logos for boutique products.

• Interior Decor: The idea of printing custom textured wallpaper or art canvases is gaining traction. Think hotel accent walls with a subtle damask pattern you can feel, or an art reproduction that mimics the brush strokes of the original painting. A meetup attendee mentioned you can run a canvas through an MGI or Scodix to add clear “brush stroke” layers on top of a printed image – resulting in a piece that looks hand-painted. This can elevate interior graphics for restaurants, retail, or home use.

• Vehicle and Signage Graphics: As Kevin observed, seeing a car wrap with embellishment blew his mind. Imagine a food truck wrap where the images of ice cubes have a glistening clear shine, or a company logo on a van that’s outlined in reflective foil – these effects are now possible with UV inks and films that can withstand outdoor use. It’s a new frontier for signage folks to explore.

• Direct-to-Object Products: Printers like LSINC (mentioned earlier) enable printing on 3D objects. This means personalized promotional items with embellishments (think corporate giveaways like notebooks with raised logos, or event swag like foil-printed aluminum bottles). Even in ceramics – printing a dinner plate or a glass with a dimensional effect could be a unique offering. The key is these are printed digitally, so one-off or short runs are feasible.

• Photography & Personal Prints: One of the meetup participants, Trey Y. from Candid Color Systems, brought up a use case that many hadn’t considered: school portraits and sports photography prints. His company prints huge volumes of photos (like those packages parents order for their kids’ school pictures or little league team photos). They are now exploring offering embellished photo prints – for example, a sports photo with the player’s name in gold foil, or a senior portrait with a fancy textured border. Because the customers aren’t designers, the approach is to create templates with embellishment effects built-in; the end-user just drops in a photo and types the name, and the software (they use a web-to-print system, Infigo, plus Taktiful’s guidance) handles the rest. This personalization at scale is an emerging market – it adds value to prints that might otherwise be commodity 8x10s. Trey noted they’ve been working on taking existing designs and “turning them into embellished versions,” as well as crafting new designs from scratch that “lean into” foil and varnish features. The group agreed this is an exciting idea. It shows that even in consumer photography, there’s room for the tactile wow-factor. Your kid’s baseball photo might soon have their team name in raised gloss with a textured baseball pattern in the background!

These expanding applications mean designers in various disciplines should keep an eye on print embellishment developments. If you primarily design for print marketing, consider how packaging or environmental graphics could use your skills with these effects. If you’re in branding, think about how a client’s identity could extend into foil-stamped merch or textured signage. The lines between different print sectors are blurring thanks to digital technology that makes all these surfaces printable.

Community and Resources: Join the “Taktisphere”

Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of meetings like this is growing the community of embellishment-aware creatives. Kevin Abergel announced the upcoming launch of the Taktisphere, a new community platform for designers and users of digital embellishment technology. Attendees were encouraged to join the waitlist for Taktisphere, which promises to be “a community just for us” – a place to share ideas, ask questions, showcase projects, and continue the conversation between meetups. As Matt emphasized, it’s your community: the vision is for designers and print pros to build it from the ground up as a supportive network.

The meetup also highlighted existing resources:

• Taktiful’s YouTube Channel – filled with video content like The Red Bear Project (Matt’s series on designing for embellishments), Taktiful Tuesdays (Eric’s show on industry updates), and the Digital Embellishment Show interviews with industry leaders. If you prefer learning via video and seeing demos, this channel is gold.

• Jet Force (by MGI) – This is an online hub and mailing list that has been around to unite users of MGI’s JetVarnish equipment and enthusiasts of embellishment. (MGI, now part of Konica Minolta, was one of the pioneers of digital varnish/foil technology – fun fact, they essentially invented the inkjet embellishment concept that kickstarted this whole space, turning an initial failed idea into a now wildly successful product line.) Jet Force has been a sponsor of the meetup and is a great place for technical info, case studies, and staying connected to the community’s roots.

• PaperSpecs – Sabine Lenz’s platform is a treasure trove for designers, especially around paper and print finishing. PaperSpecs offers webinars, sample galleries, and weekly inspiration on print design. Sabine’s involvement ensures that the design perspective is always front and center in these discussions, not just the tech.

• FSEA (Foil & Specialty Effects Association) – This industry group is historically focused on traditional foils and embossing, but in recent years has embraced digital embellishment as well. They hold events (like the annual Odyssey Expo and Gold Leaf Awards competition) and publish articles on the latest in embellishment techniques. Karlien mentioned that through FSEA she’s made many connections; even some of the folks on this call met initially via FSEA events. Designers are welcome in FSEA – you don’t have to be a foiling machine operator to join. It’s a great cross-sector meeting point (design, print, suppliers).

• LinkedIn and Social Media Groups – Following folks like Kevin Abergel, Sabine Lenz, industry pages, and hashtags (e.g., #printembellishment) can keep you updated. The meetup itself originated via LinkedIn networking. So, engage with posts, share your work, ask questions. This niche has very friendly experts who are eager to help newcomers.

By the end of the session, the vibe was one of excitement and inclusivity. Newcomers like Karlien, Sarah, and Trey said they felt welcomed and were eager to keep participating. The meetup is open forum – questions are encouraged, and there are no stupid questions here. Kevin frequently reminded everyone that this is how we all learn and advance.

The Halloween Spooktacular edition ended, fittingly, with everyone on camera doing a virtual wave and snapshot – costumes and all – to commemorate the fun gathering. The hosts wished everyone a Happy Halloween and a great weekend, and signed off with a teaser that next month’s meetup would dive into more tactical design how-to (expect discussions on do’s and don’ts when creating files for embellishment, maybe even some live tutorial elements).

Conclusion: Embracing the (Embellished) Future

This Halloween meetup was a celebration – not just of a holiday, but of how far digital embellishment has come and where it’s headed. The key takeaway is that embellishments are no longer an exotic extra; they’re becoming a fundamental part of print design strategy. Whether you’re a designer wanting your work to stand out or a printer seeking a competitive edge, now is the time to explore these technologies. The tools are getting easier, the community is growing stronger, and the creative possibilities are widening by the day.

As we learned, the print industry is experiencing a renaissance of touchable, experiential design. A shiny logo or a textured pattern isn’t just for wow-factor – it forges a connection with the audience . People might forget a plain flyer, but they’ll remember the one with the raised UV that they ran their fingers over, or the business card with the gleaming holographic foil. Print can communicate and captivate.

For those who missed the live call, we hope this recap gave you a solid dose of insight (and a bit of the fun). For those who were there, consider this a reinforcement of what we shared – and perhaps a reminder of an action item or idea you wanted to follow up on. Maybe it’s reaching out to that new contact, ordering that sample kit, or finally trying that foil technique on your next project.

In the spirit of the community’s supportive tone, we’ll sign off with this: don’t be afraid to experiment. As Kevin and Matt would say, “Let’s keep pushing the envelope (literally, foil it, emboss it!) and share our learnings.” If you’re new to embellishments, tap into the network – post a question, join the next meetup, or talk to your print vendors. There’s a world of shiny, textured, spectacular print out there waiting for you.

Until next time, stay creative – and stay embellished! 🎃✨