Tuesdays just got a whole lot more exciting! In this week’s Taktiful Tuesdays, Eric Vessels, Chief Experience Officer at Taktiful, welcomed Richard Romano, Senior Editor at WhatTheyThink, for an insightful discussion on digital embellishments, the quest for industry standards, and—because every good conversation needs some fun—a few jokes about tacos.
Eric kicked off the episode with his signature energy, declaring, “I’m going to make Tuesday a thing!” When Richard quipped about expecting tacos, Eric seized the moment, proclaiming, “We’re going to redefine Taco Tuesday as Taktiful Tuesday!” But tacos were just the appetizer for a deep dive into the complexities and opportunities in the growing field of digital embellishments.
The Challenge of Consistency in Digital Embellishments
Digital embellishments—like gloss, foil, and embossing—are transforming the print industry, but they’ve also introduced a unique challenge: inconsistency. As Eric and Richard pointed out, different OEMs use varying terms and processes, making it difficult for designers, printers, and end users to collaborate seamlessly.
“It’s the Wild West when it comes to embellishments,” Richard explained. “Getting everyone on the same page so designers know their work will print as expected is critical.”
Eric drew parallels to color management standards, which revolutionized the print industry by creating a common language for color. He noted that similar efforts for digital embellishments would help streamline production and improve quality across the board.
Industry Surveys Reveal Key Challenges
The discussion shifted to the findings of a recent industry survey conducted by Taktiful and WhatTheyThink, which identified five key obstacles hindering the adoption of digital embellishments:
Sales: Printers struggle to explain the value of embellishments and train their teams to sell them effectively.
Marketing: Many printers report low demand, often due to poor promotion of embellishments to customers.
Pricing: Uncertainty about how to price embellishment services remains a major barrier.
Design: Designers often lack the knowledge needed to create files optimized for embellishments.
Education: Comprehensive training for printers, designers, and sales teams is desperately needed.
These findings aren’t unique to digital embellishments. “Every time a new technology is introduced—whether it’s digital printing or variable data printing—we see the same challenges,” Richard noted.
However, there’s a silver lining. The survey showed that printers who invested in training and planning saw remarkable results: a 300% increase in sales satisfaction and a 200% boost in profit satisfaction. These numbers underscore the importance of education and preparation when adopting new technologies.
The Path Forward: Standardization and Collaboration
As the discussion evolved, Eric and Richard explored how the industry could address these challenges. Standardizing file formats, terminology, and processes was a recurring theme.
“Just standardizing on the term ‘digital embellishments’ is half the battle,” Richard said. Beyond that, creating universal standards for gloss, foil, and embossing—similar to those for color management—will be essential.
Eric highlighted the role of collaboration in driving progress, noting that Taktiful and WhatTheyThink are working closely with industry leaders to push for these changes. “It’ll take time, but if we look at this conversation three to five years from now, I believe we’ll see real progress,” he said.
The Importance of Participation
A major takeaway from the episode was the value of industry-wide participation. The ongoing survey on digital embellishments, now expanded to include technologies like inkjet-based embellishments, aims to capture insights from a broad cross-section of the industry.
Richard emphasized how these surveys benefit everyone:
• Vendors gain insights into customer challenges, enabling them to provide better support.
• Printers learn how to improve their offerings and meet customer expectations.
• End users enjoy higher-quality products that drive engagement and results.
“It’s a win-win-win,” Richard said. “But it only works if we get enough responses to ensure the data is statistically valid.”
To encourage participation, Taktiful and WhatTheyThink are offering an executive summary of key findings to everyone who completes the survey. Participants will also receive a link to last year’s study, providing even more valuable insights.
Shaping the Future of Digital Embellishments
As the conversation wrapped up, Eric reflected on the broader implications of their work. “By participating in these surveys and supporting these initiatives, we’re not just solving today’s problems. We’re shaping the future of digital embellishments,” he said.
Richard agreed, noting that tracking trends over time will provide a clearer picture of where the industry is headed. “The technology is evolving, and so must our standards and practices,” he said.
Join the Movement
Taktiful and WhatTheyThink are calling on printers, vendors, and industry professionals to join the conversation and help drive progress.
Whether you’re navigating the challenges of adoption or looking to stay ahead of the curve, there’s never been a better time to get involved. And who knows—maybe you’ll even get a taco out of it.
Taktiful Tuesdays: Where innovation meets collaboration. Tune in next week for more insights, laughs, and maybe even a few tacos. 🌮✨
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