Taktiful Tuesdays

Taktiful Tuesdays

di Eric Vessels
Stagione 1

Ep 13: The Power of Print & Digital Embellishment: A Deep Dive with Daniel Dejan

Welcome back to another episode of Taktiful Tuesdays! 🎉 This week, host Eric Vessels sits down with the legendary Daniel Dejan - a graphic arts industry veteran, creative director at Dejan Associates, and co-founder of MarketWise Academy. With over four decades of experience in print production, paper selection, multi-channel marketing, and digital embellishment, Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ How print has evolved alongside digital media ✅ The profitability challenge for printers in a rapidly changing tech landscape ✅ The rise of digital embellishments (raised varnish, foil, haptics) and their impact on marketing ✅ Why the power of touch makes print more memorable than digital ✅ The future of print in a data-driven, AI-enhanced world 📢 If you're in the printing, design, or marketing industry, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss!

Ep 12: The Evolution of Marketing: What We’ve Lost & How to Get It Back

Marketing has come a long way from the Mad Men era to today’s hyper-targeted digital landscape. But have we sacrificed creativity for data? In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, I sit down with Gee Ranasinha, CEO of Kexino, to talk about the evolution of marketing, the pitfalls of over-reliance on metrics, and the timeless principles that still drive success. We also dive into: ✅ The 95-5 Rule: Why most of your audience isn’t ready to buy yet ✅ Balancing brand awareness with sales activation ✅ How marketing lost its creative edge—and how to reclaim it ✅ Why bad marketing isn't a tech problem—it's a strategy problem Gee brings 35+ years of experience in branding, storytelling, and marketing strategy, plus a great sense of humor (and apparently, he plays piano too?!) 📩 Follow Gee on LinkedIn for bite-sized marketing wisdom 📌 Learn more about Kexino: https://kexino.com/ What’s your take on the state of marketing today?

Ep 11: The Evolution of Print: A Conversation with Industry Legend Frank Romano

In this special episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, host Eric Vessels sits down with the legendary Frank Romano, a true luminary in the world of print. With a career spanning over six decades, Frank has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the printing industry—from hot metal type to digital printing and AI. 🚀 What’s Inside This Episode? Frank’s journey from working at Mergenthaler Linotype to founding Typeworld and editing Pocket Pal The impact of automation and AI on print and graphic design The Museum of Printing’s latest acquisition: a 1700s English Common Press and a rare 1873 Sholes & Glidden typewriter Why direct mail is making a comeback and the future of digital embellishment Frank’s favorite place in the world and the one piece of history he treasures most 🖨️ Upcoming Event Alert! Join Frank Romano & industry leaders at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA, for a two-day digital embellishment workshop (April 22-23, 2025). More details inside! 🔥 If you're passionate about print, history, and the future of design, this episode is a must-watch!

Ep 10: Building a Winning Culture & Embracing Innovation | Bill Duerr of Hatteras"

Welcome to a special episode of Taktiful Tuesdays! We’ve hit episode 10, the dime episode, and I’m thrilled to have Bill Duerr, President of Hatteras, join me for a deep dive into leadership, innovation, and the future of print. Bill shares his insights on how Hatteras stays competitive in a changing industry, the power of listening to customers, and the company’s investment in digital embellishments with the new Harris & Bruno ZRX press. We also get into AI’s role in print, company culture, and - because we love a good story - Bill’s gnarly 11-day surf adventure in Indonesia. If you’re in the printing world, a business leader, or just love hearing about innovation and leadership, this one’s for you. 🔥 Topics Covered: ✔️ How Hatteras stays competitive in a consolidating print industry ✔️ The role of AI and automation in print workflows ✔️ Investing in new technology & digital embellishment ✔️ Building a strong company culture through leadership ✔️ Bill’s epic surfing and Jiu-Jitsu journey Follow for more insights on print, tech, and leadership!

Ep. 9: From Student to Industry Pro: Kendra Roberson’s Graphic Communication Journey 🎨📢

Welcome back to Tactiful Tuesdays! 🎉 In Episode 9, I’m chatting with the talented Kendra Roberson, a soon-to-be graduate from Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication program. Kendra shares her journey from high school graphic design enthusiast to exploring the vast world of print, digital embellishments, and industry networking. We dive into: ✅ How mentorship and industry events shaped her career path ✅ The power of networking in the print & digital space ✅ The role of digital embellishments in accessibility and design ✅ Hands-on experiences at drupa, TAGA, and EPS Connect ✅ Her work with DCR Design and LA Metro Plus, she shares key advice for aspiring designers and when she’s available for hire! 👀 Don’t miss this insightful convo with someone who’s making big moves in the industry.

Ep. 8: Revolutionizing Digital Print: EFI’s Ken Hanulec Talks Tech, Trends & Sustainability

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, Eric Vessels sits down with Ken Hanulec, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at EFI, to discuss the game-changing innovations in the digital print world. From the revolutionary EFI X5 Nozomi and its impact on on-demand box production to the Pro 30H hybrid printer and the growing role of sustainability in print technology, this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. Ken also shares his thoughts on digital embellishments, the analog-to-digital shift in the industry, and practical advice for print service providers looking to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Plus, they dive into personal favorites—travel destinations, grilling tips, and even a little football talk! Learn more about EFI: www.efi.com EFI ESG Sustainability Report: https://www.efi.com/wp-content/upload... 🔥 Don’t forget to follow and join us for more engaging conversations every Tuesday!

Ep. 7: A Journey Through Print, Process, and Possibility: A Conversation with David Zwang

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, host Eric Vessels sits down with the renowned print industry analyst and consultant David Zwang to explore the rapidly evolving world of digital embellishments, workflow automation, and what’s on the horizon for the printing industry. Topics Covered: • How digital embellishments moved from niche novelty to industry game-changer • Why packaging leads the way in eye-catching, tactile print innovation • Common production workflow inefficiencies and strategies for optimization • The power of automation and data-driven processes in modern print manufacturing • The importance of industry standards (including the Ghent Workgroup) for consistent, reliable results • Practical steps for PSPs to implement new technologies—and boost profitability • A fun wrap-up on their favorite cocktails (tequila and mezcal, anyone?) If you’re looking for insights on enhancing print with special effects, upping your workflow efficiency, and staying competitive in a connected, digital world, this episode is a must-watch! Thanks for tuning in—see you next Tuesday!

Ep. 6: Passion for Print: Eric Vessels & Warren Werbitt Discuss the Future of the Printing Industry

Welcome to Episode 6 of Taktiful Tuesdays! Eric Vessels from Taktiful sits down with Warren Werbitt, aka "The Print Whisperer," to dive deep into the world of print, entrepreneurship, and the passion that drives the industry forward. 🌟 In this episode: 🔹 Warren shares his journey into the printing industry, starting from his father’s small print shop to becoming a renowned industry leader. 🔹 The viral video that made Warren a print icon and lessons on authenticity in building a personal brand. 🔹 Insights on the latest trends in printing, including embellishments, AI, and the evolving technology shaping the future. 🔹 Why relationships, authenticity, and passion are the keys to a successful business. 🔹 Warren's new podcast, Printing's Alive, and his ongoing mission to connect and inspire print professionals everywhere. Whether you're a printer, marketer, or just curious about how print impacts our lives, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights! 🎙️ Tune in every Tuesday for more engaging industry conversations on Taktiful Tuesdays!

Ep. 5: Rock & Roll & Digital Embellishments with Ryan Moskun of H&B

Join Eric Vessels, Taktiful’s Chief Experience Officer, as he dives into an exciting conversation with Ryan Moskun, Marketing Manager at Harris & Bruno International. From Ryan’s journey into the print industry to groundbreaking digital embellishment technology like the ZRX, this episode is packed with insights, music, and a touch of humor. Stick around for Ryan’s life-changing advice at the end—you won’t want to miss it! 🎸 Digital Print Meets Rock & Roll 🎸

Democratizing Digital Embellishment with Andrew Gunn of Fujifilm

Ready to see what’s next for digital print? In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, Eric Vessels, CXO at Taktiful, sits down with Andrew Gunn of FujiFilm to pull back the curtain on the evolving world of digital embellishment. Curious about how to move beyond CMYK, unlock new ROI opportunities, and truly stand out from the competition? Andrew shares insights on the cutting-edge Revoria lineup, Fujifilm’s Aspire program, and the power of industry collaboration—plus why curiosity, passion, and asking the right questions matter more than ever. Want to know what’s coming and how to position your business at the forefront of print’s future? Tune in and discover what’s possible when technology, training, and creativity converge. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Taktiful Tuesdays—your go-to source for the latest in digital print innovation.
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