Trish Witkowski, Chief Folding Fanatic, foldfactory.com
Direct mail’s greatest strength is its physicality. It exists. And what is often overlooked is just how powerful those few seconds (or minutes) of time in the intended targets’ hands can be. Sending physical mail is an opportunity to strategically engage the senses and connect on many levels—so how can you leverage the power of touch for your brand?
In this talk Trish will cover:
This Q&A panel discussion will explore current trends in the print industry and discuss hot markets for print, finishing and embellishments – exploring opportunities for all types of special effects, including hot foil stamping/embossing, cold foil transfer, digital foils and coatings, and other specialty coating applications. Hear from experts who are working daily with print/finishing producers and are seeing firsthand what market segments are growing and prospering overall.
Eddie Davin, bigDAWGS
Discover how Variable Finish Printing (VFP) is rescuing the modern marketer through applying unique raised UV and foil to individual pieces that create an ultra-personalized, physical experience. See how embedding NFC technology into embellished print transforms physical mail into trackable "phygital" devices with real world samples of the ultimate hybrid: a customized Video Brochure merging variable tactile embellishments with an auto-playing LCD screen inside.
KC Chapin, Absolute Printing Equipment
Matt RedBear, Elite Print Finishing
James McGowan, TPC Printing & Packaging
Due to popular demand, Stump the Techs is back to discuss current challenges and solutions for specific types of embellished jobs. Hear from a panel of experts who are involved with projects on a daily basis for hot foil stamping, cold foil transfer, and digital embellishment applications. Specific jobs will be discussed, and the audience is encouraged to ask detailed technical questions to try to “stump the techs”.
David Lukshus, Cog LLC
Lindsey Frimming, Cog LLC
Laura Hoover, Hub Labels
Cara Zoltowicz, Oliver, Inc.
Bringing a new fragrance brand's packaging to life requires more than a strong concept - it demands alignment across design, production, and print/finishing execution. In this session, the creative and technical partners who brought a startup fragance’s packaging to market will walk through the full journey from concept and design to the finished printed and embellished label and carton. This is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to move from design files to finished packaging.
Kevin Abergel, Taktiful
Eric Vessel, Taktiful
Learn why embellishments are print’s most powerful competitive advantage. Derived from the soon-to-be-released “The Digital Embellishment Manifesto”, the session will discuss a strategic framework for moving beyond commodity print and into high-value, experience-driven applications. Attendees will gain insight into the neuroscience of touch and buying behavior and why embellishments are not an add-on, but an exit ramp from commoditization. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for positioning embellishments as a standalone product, from pricing and ROI to market differentiation. Kevin and Eric will also share highlights from WhatTheyThink and Taktiful’s latest industry research on digital embellishments.
Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance
Policy decisions on tariffs, trade, and regulation are directly affecting print businesses - but those decisions don’t have to happen without our input. In this session, Ford Bowers, CEO of PRINTING United Alliance, shares how the Alliance is advocating for the industry, what issues are at the top of the agenda, and how initiatives like the Legislative Fly-In are giving printers a seat at the table. Learn how advocacy works, why it matters, and how your company can engage.
Miller Thornton, Senior Manager Sustainability, Brook + Whittle
As multiple state programs move into implementation, 2026 marks a critical inflection point for brands, retailers, and packaging suppliers. This session will provide a concise overview of what EPR is, where state programs stand today, and what key deadlines and requirements are ahead. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape, near-term compliance risks, and how packaging decisions made today will shape cost and competitiveness in an EPR-driven market.
Tim Cain, Breit Technologies
The Cast and Cure embellishment process adds visual and tactile effects to all types of printed materials, including packaging, trading cards, labels, and more. It is a sustainable decorative process that delivers ultra-high gloss, matte textured, and clear holographic effects on a wide range of surfaces. Cast and Cure is not new, but the unique process is not widely understood. Learn more about the process and its many applications.
Mike Scrutton, Adobe
Project Goldsmith is Adobe’s technology to power the automation of PDF preparation for embellishment. Come and see the latest updates and hear from Mike Scrutton, Adobe’s Director of Print Technology and Strategy.
Mark Kempster, Unifoil
Mark Geeves, Color-Logic, Inc.
During the Printing United Expo this past fall, Unifoil and Color-Logic worked with legendary comic book artists Greg Horn on a series of 36 limited edition illustrations that were enhanced with Color-Logic metallic embellishments and printed on Unifoil Unilustre DI metallic stock. Hear the details of how the special illustrations were digitally produced and experience how white + CMYK inks/toners combined with the metallic/holographic substrates to create dazzling metallic effects.
David Hutchison, BrightMARKS
April Lytle, Scodix
Brands today are under constant pressure to differentiate their packaging, capture consumer attention and deliver added value beyond the product itself. In an era when first impressions happen both on the shelf and on social media, embellishments have become a powerful tool for standing out in a competitive marketplace. This session explores how brands can strategically leverage embellishments to elevate packaging design, enhance storytelling and create memorable experiences. From eye-catching metallic finishes to specialty coatings, textures and personalization, embellishments offer both aesthetic and functional advantages. With more technologies available than ever before, brands, designers and Print Service Providers (PSPs) have unprecedented opportunities to collaborate and push creative boundaries. The key is not simply adding embellishment - but using it with intention to reinforce brand identity, communicate quality and drive measurable results.
