Where Print Came to Life — Amplify 2025 Wraps with Big Impact

Amplify Print, produced by FSEA and WhatTheyThink, recently took place June 10-12, in Rosemont, (Chicago) Illinois. The event showcased what print finishing and embellishments are all about. With over 60 exhibitors and more than 25 pieces of equipment in the Technology Zone or on the event floor, Amplify was the place to be for companies involved in print embellishment and finishing.

“This was one of the best tradeshow interactions that I have had in all of my years of attending shows. The smaller size of the show allows for better conversations with key vendors and allows for a lot of discussion that isn’t possible at larger print shows.”

– Tim Beymer, Jostens

To read more testimonials and view a video produced by one of our Amplify exhibitors – IMPACK – visit the Amplify Print website at www.amplifyprint.org.

FSEA Prominent at Printing United Expo

FSEA will be involved with several programs and activities at the upcoming Printing United Expo, October 22–24, in Orlando, Florida. First, FSEA will be sponsoring a breakfast on the second morning of the show from 7:30 – 8:30 am in Room S310G. The breakfast will include a panel discussion entitled “Choosing the Right Metallic Embellishment for Your Print Job.” The panel will include Bob Nickel, TPC Print & Packaging; Sean Roberts, Konica Minolta; and Scott Tacosik, Kurz. It will be moderated by FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. If you are attending PRINTING United, you will not want to miss this special event. To learn more about the FSEA Breakfast and to register, visit www.fsea.com and click on the Event tab. FSEA thanks its Presenting Sponsor, K Laser Technology, as well as its Supporting Sponsors, Infinity Foils, Inc., Universal Engraving, Inc., Scodix and Taktiful.  

In addition, Jeff Peterson will be conducting a program during the show entitled “Print Embellishments and Sustainability.” The program will take place on the second day of the show, October 23, from 12:00 to 12:50 pm. The program will include information on the latest studies and insight on sustainability and print embellishment technologies. He will discuss studies, commissioned by FSEA, demonstrating that metallic decorating processes do not cause challenges with repulping and recycling, as well as new information confirming that print embellished materials are being sorted for recycling. To register for this program, visit www.printingunited.com and click on Sessions.

Lastly, FSEA will be sponsoring the Embellishment Technology Tour, that will take place several times during the three-day Printing United event. Designed to spotlight key, innovate and eye-catching print embellishment solutions, Eric Vessels, Taktiful, will guide attendees through a 60 to 75 minute tour to specific booths showcasing embellishment technologies. Registration is available through the Printing United website (www.printingunited.com).  

FSEA State of the Industry Survey

FSEA recently completed its 2025 State of the Industry survey, where members and non-members were invited to answer a series of questions designed to provide a snapshot of the short-term outlook of print finishers, folding carton manufacturers, commercial printers, specialty converters and others involved in the print embellishment market. Print finishers with fewer than 100 employees were the primary survey respondents, not only in 2025 but across all survey years.

With respondents from across the US and internationally, the survey addressed primary business concerns, sales revenue trends, supply chain constraints and challenges in hiring and staffing. Key findings in the 2025 survey included positive growth projections for sales revenue in the next 12 months, a continued concern about the US economy and a significant number of respondents who are not engaging with students or universities, despite recruitment and hiring challenges.

FSEA members have free access to this survey and other surveys conducted by FSEA. Visit www.fsea.com and click on the Members Only section of the website.

Welcome New FSEA Members!

Hubbub Paper, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada – Announcements/Stationery

K&W Finishing, Baltimore, Maryland – Print Finishing Services

Mark Your Calendar for the 2026 FSEA Print Embellishment Conference

FSEA members and industry professionals will be excited to hear that we are making our way back to Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2026 FSEA Print Embellishment Conference. The conference will take place June 16-18, 2026, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

The conference will include our Supplier Trade Fair on the opening night, followed by a full day of programming and the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards. On the last morning, attendees will tour FSEA member BindTech – specializing in book manufacturing, packaging services and a full range of postpress and finishing services.

“We are super excited to be back in Nashville for our conference event,” stated FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Our FSEA members and others have been asking to return to the Nashville area – and we’re making it happen.”

Look for more details and registration information in early 2026 at www.fsea.com.