Have you wondered how you can help your printed products stand out in today’s competitive market? Or how you can help your customers make lasting impressions with their audiences? The latest industry trends show a big shift toward personalization and specialized printing techniques. In fact, recent research from Keypoint Intelligence found that 84% of consumers are more likely to open personalized direct mail, and 50% prefer it over email. So, how can you really shine?

Experts from NAPCO research suggest that Print Service Providers (PSPs) should diversify their offerings. Think unique, high-margin applications like custom prints, specialty substrates and custom design services. These not only attract new clients but also boost your profitability. Digital embellishments are changing the game, turning ordinary prints into extraordinary experiences.

If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio and add a new revenue stream with a guaranteed return on investment, this blog is for you. From enhancing your product offerings to boosting customer satisfaction, you’ll discover why digital embellishment is a must-have for your business.

Where Can Digital Embellishments Fit In?

The short answer: strategically, everywhere. Depending on your customers’ needs, you can elevate your print output with effects like spot coating prints, highlighting defined areas and adding 3D effects, creating a tactile and unique experience which research shows enhances customer recall and engagement, leading to higher sales. With the growing demand for differentiation and personalization, digital embellishments have become a powerful way to enhance the value and profitability of printed materials. Impressively, 90% of print service providers (PSPs) surveyed by WhatTheyThink are excited about their digital embellishment initiatives, highlighting this technology as a key driver for innovation and growth in the printing industry. This fully digitized production process makes your materials stand out from the crowd, taking you beyond the average and into a whole new realm of possibilities. Plus, with digital embellishment you can produce short runs and one-offs quickly and cost-effectively. This means you can cater to a wider range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations.

Benefits of Digital Embellishment

1. Enhanced Printing Capabilities and Product Offerings

With digital embellishment, you can expand your range of services and offer more sophisticated products. Imagine providing customers with business cards featuring raised text, wedding invitations with shimmering foil accents or brochures with tactile textures. Offering digital embellishment services enables you to cater to a wider range of customer needs and preferences. From luxury packaging and high-end marketing materials to personalized stationery, the versatility of digital embellishments allows you to tap into various market segments and diversify your client base.

For instance, take a look at WhatTheyThink’s recent Finishing & Embellishment issue, which featured a tiny, folded card box printed and embellished with Konica Minolta technology tipped onto the cover. Our client, Elite Print Finishing, based out of Burlington, NC, originally created these boxes with their Konica Minolta digital embellishment technology as promotional business cards that could be folded into tiny boxes. The possibilities are truly endless, and the added value can set your business apart from competitors.

2. Boost Engagement

Digital embellishments not only enhance the visual and tactile appeal of your products, they also significantly boost customer engagement. This makes the customer experience more memorable and impactful. Heightened engagement can lead to increased brand loyalty and higher conversion rates, as customers are more likely to remember and favour your products over others.

3. Cash In on the Personalization Trend

Personalization is more than a trend; it’s a major driving force in today’s market. Sparks & Honey’s research forecasts that the personalized items market will surge to $201 billion by 2026, marking a substantial 49% increase from 2021. This growth is fueled by consumer demand for unique and customized products. Digital technology enables highly customized embellishments, tailored to specific designs to make each print run unique and resonate with individual customers.

4. Increased Perceived Value and Revenue

We know that adding embellishments can make products feel more luxurious and high-end. The tactile sensation of embossed or textured prints significantly enhances the perceived value of the product. According to research, mere touch can increase perceived ownership and value. With more than 70% of shoppers willing to pay a premium of at least 10% for products that offer customization or uniqueness – according to Sparks & Honey – digital embellishments offer the perfect solution to transform the impact of customers’ labels and packaging on the shelf.

Multi-Sensory Experience

The sensory marketing benefits of digital embellishments are well known. The combination of visual and tactile elements can create a more memorable and impactful experience for your audience. According to Fast Company, multi-sensory storytelling, enhanced by AI, is becoming a key trend in experiential marketing. Innovative embellishments can incorporate interactive elements, such as augmented reality (AR) triggers, further enhancing customer engagement and interaction with the printed material.

5. Cost Efficiencies and Sustainability in Operations

While the initial investment in digital embellishment technology may be significant, the long-term benefits can outweigh the costs. Digital processes are often more efficient and less wasteful than traditional methods, leading to significant cost savings and more sustainable operations. This in turn allows you to enhance your bottom line while being environmentally responsible. For instance, our new JETvarnish 3D Web 400’s 100% digital process eliminates conventional intermediate consumables like plates, screens, and solvents, which are particularly polluting and generate subcontracting, transport, and packaging waste. This innovation not only lowers operational costs but also minimizes environmental impact.

6. Maximize Productivity

Digital embellishment streamlines the production process, allowing you to complete jobs faster without compromising on quality. Unlike traditional methods, these digital processes are faster and require fewer manual steps, resulting in less downtime and more efficient workflows. For example, products like the JETvarnish 3D Web 400, equipped with one or two inkjet engines, allow you to apply UV varnish and hot foil stamping in a single pass at speeds of up to 42 meters per minute. This increased productivity not only enables your team to take on more projects, it ultimately boosts your overall output and profitability.

Are You Ready to Transform Your Brand?

The path to success is clear: investing in digital embellishment technology and training will set your business apart, attract new customers and foster strong, lasting relationships. Stay ahead of the competition and secure your place in the future of the printing industry by embracing digital embellishment today. Are you ready to elevate your prints and transform your brand? Discover how Konica Minolta’s Digital Embellishment Solutions can unlock a new realm of possibilities for your business.