Despite not getting into the print and paper industries until her 30s, Karlien Murray quickly became enamored with the beauty and emotional tactility that print provides. Leaving behind a highly successful fine art and photography printing business in South Africa, Murray landed her “dream job” at Clampitt Paper Company in Dallas, Texas. Today, Murray is a business development representative at MereCiUSA – connecting designers, brands and printers to turn creative vision into tangible reality.

How did your career develop in the print and paper industry, and what is your role now?

My journey into print and paper was far from conventional – it was bold, unexpected and wonderfully transformative. In my early 30s, I bought a struggling professional photo lab – having no print background, only curiosity and determination. I learned the craft by day, experimented by night and gradually built a reputation for precision and quality that turned the business into one of South Africa’s leading fine art and photographic print labs.

After immigrating to the United States in 2019, I operated another print business before stepping into my dream role as a business development representative at Clampitt Paper Company under Don Clampitt, the first person in the US print industry who truly believed in my potential. His faith opened the door for me to grow and find my footing in a new country and a new market.

Today, I have the privilege of representing MereCiUSA under the leadership of Meredith Clampitt Whaley, whose mentorship and guidance have shaped my professional path in ways I could never have imagined. She continually has challenged and encouraged me to reach further than I thought possible.

My work now sits at the intersection of artistry and strategy: collaborating with designers, brands and printers to curate materials that transform creative vision into tactile reality. I see myself as a translator between imagination and material – helping clients tell their stories through texture, color and finish.

How do you see the industry embracing global trends such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from brand owners and consumers?

Sustainability has become the universal language of modern print and packaging. It’s no longer a niche concern – it’s a non-negotiable expectation. The print and paper industries are responding with impressive innovation: responsibly sourced fibers, post-consumer materials, water-based coatings and fully recyclable substrates now are defining new standards of excellence.

At MereCi and Clampitt Paper, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox; it’s embedded in the DNA of our products. From PVC-free materials to closed-loop manufacturing systems, we’re committed to creating beauty without compromise. The circular economy challenges us to rethink what luxury looks like – it’s no longer just about aesthetics, but ethics. The most desirable materials of the future will be those that are as kind to the planet as they are to the senses.

What are the biggest challenges the print and paper industries face today? How should they respond to successfully grow and thrive?

Our biggest challenge is perception. Too often, print is seen as old-fashioned or environmentally unfriendly when, in reality, it’s one of the most renewable and emotionally engaging mediums available. Another major hurdle is the pressure to deliver quickly and cheaply, which can overshadow craftsmanship and sustainability.

The solution lies in education, collaboration and storytelling. We need to champion the narrative that paper is a living, renewable resource and that print connects us in ways the digital world cannot. By investing in innovation and emphasizing quality over quantity, we can redefine the value of print for a new generation. The future belongs to those who celebrate the tangible – the ones who understand that the power of print lies in permanence and touch.

What trends are emerging in design and printing that will influence the future of the print industry? How have foils and specialty coatings influenced those trends?

Design is entering a sensory renaissance. Brands are no longer satisfied with visuals alone – they want print to feel like their identity. We’re seeing more emphasis on tactility: touch-engaging coatings, sculpted embossing, metallic foils and layered varnishes that engage multiple senses at once.

Special processes like foils and specialty coatings aren’t just embellishments; they’re strategic communication tools. They signal craftsmanship, luxury and care – qualities that stand out in a digital world. Designers increasingly are blending sustainable materials with refined finishes to create experiences that feel both responsible and aspirational. The result is a beautiful tension between raw natural texture and sophisticated surface treatment – proof that print can be both modern and meaningful.

Which markets or verticals do you see growing in their use of print and packaging? What is influencing that growth?

Premium packaging, boutique publishing and bespoke brand collateral are seeing remarkable growth. As brands move toward personalization and experiential marketing, they’re rediscovering print as an essential part of storytelling.

Luxury beauty, spirits and fashion brands, in particular, are leading this resurgence. Consumers crave authenticity and tactility; they want packaging that feels intentional, not mass-produced. We’re also seeing sustainability influence material selection – with brands prioritizing recyclability, renewable resources and minimal environmental impact. The tactile experience of print has become the new frontier for emotional branding.

What are your predictions for the print and paper industry for the next five to 10 years?

The next decade will redefine how we think about print. We’ll see increased fusion between digital and tactile – intentional packaging, interactive print and hyper-personalized experiences. Materials will continue to evolve, driven by sustainable chemistry and innovation in fiber technology.

Most importantly, I believe we’ll witness a creative renaissance. The next generation of designers, printers and material specialists will view print not as a legacy medium, but as a sensory art form. The future of print is not about competing with digital – it’s about complementing it, grounding it and reminding us that some stories deserve to be touched.

Why is it important to include someone from the materials or paper side of the industry in the creative and design process prior to production?

At both Clampitt Paper and MereCi, I’ve seen how transformative it is when materials and paper specifiers are included early in the process. My role isn’t to take the spotlight – it’s to weave the threads between creative vision, manufacturing processes and print execution. Don Clampitt and Meredith Clampitt Whaley always have recognized that this role, though often invisible, is essential to aligning design intent with technical realities. It’s the quiet alchemy that binds a concept together – the industry’s secret ingredient that turns good ideas into unforgettable, tangible experiences.