Print Design Podcast - How to Win with Print in a Digital World

Dave at Print Design Academy
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Design
  • Updated Weekly

In a world racing toward AI and screens, print is more valuable than ever. While everyone fights for attention on the same crowded feeds, the designers reaching for paper, ink, and real tactile work are the ones getting noticed and remembered. The Print Design Podcast is about how they pull it off. Each episode digs into the real stories behind great print and packaging, the substrates and techniques that made them work, the problems solved on press, and the impact the finished piece had out in the world. You'll get the behind-the-scenes details, practical tips, and creative thinking that help you make print worth holding onto, and grow your work with it. Hosted by Dave Hopkins, founder of Print Design Academy, where thousands of designers are learning to bring beautiful print to life. If you're a graphic designer who wants to stand out in a digital world by creating things people can actually touch, this one's for you.

  1. 19 hrs ago

    Episode 80 - A Bowl of Nostalgia: Neenah x Print Design Academy Cereal Box Collab

    In this episode I sit down with Michelle McDermott-Pautz, who runs channel marketing for Neenah Paper in North America, to walk through the two-year journey of building a mini cereal box collection that shows off what's possible with Neenah Folding Board. We get into where the "weird" cereal box idea came from, why nostalgia was the whole point, and how Dallas Franklin brought a cast of illustrated characters to life across four different substrates. Then we go deep on production: foil stamping, sculpted embossing, white-ink-first passes, the deep black board with no white edges, scented stickers, and the 30 hours of press and bindery checks across three trips to the printer. If you've ever wondered what actually goes into a showstopper print piece, this is the true behind-the-scenes. In this episode Why a mini cereal box collection was the right way to showcase folding board, and how the nostalgia angle nearly didn't make the cut How the characters were designed to lean into each board's attributes, not just sit on a box Every print technique they threw at it: foil (holographic, red, clear), embossing, debossing, metallic inks, white ink first The on-press save that mattered: pulling a metallic highlight that disappeared under light and swapping it live Why scented stickers (and a full cereal bar) turned the launch party into a full-circle experience What designers can steal from this: emotional connection, shelf presence, and why real, tactile work beats the screen Want to see it This piece exists in extremely limited quantities. There's a blog post with expanded photos and the full behind the scenes on the Print Design Academy site, and if you want to get your hands on the collection, head to Neenah's website, use the contact form, and ask who your local rep is. Print Club Pro Small Group Coaching: The Details See photos of the collab: The Blog Come say hi on Instagram @printdesign_academy Tags: print design, packaging design, folding board, Neenah Paper, foil stamping, substrate selection, print production, nostalgia branding

    51 min

  2. 2025-12-01

    Episode 79 - Alberta Distillers Rare Batch Whisky - Olberding Brand Family

    In this episode, Dave talks with Chris Gajus, Creative Director at Olberding Brand Family, about the packaging for Alberta Distillers Rare Batch that his team helped bring to life. If you’re a graphic designer or creative director who loves print, packaging, or some sweet sweet embellishments, this episode is for you.  Chris breaks down how they took a very rough starting point and turned it into a full premium packaging system with strong storytelling, structure, and materials. This includes the strategy behind the mountain imagery, the multi-level emboss, using tactile varnish instead of foil, and how they made sure the whiskey glows through the front and back windows on shelf. You’ll also hear about real considerations designers deal with every day: board weight, coatings, cracking on folds, color matching between substrates, working with vendors, and building files with multiple special-finishes layers. It’s a full look at how design moves from a concept to a finished physical product that pulls people in. Chris also shares his early print memories (video game boxes and manuals), his first print project in school, and a project that totally fell apart thanks to unclear feedback and direction. If you’ve ever had a client say “I’ll know it when I see it,” you’ll feel right at home. Things discussed in this episode: Premium packaging design Building dielines and structural packaging workflow Multi-level embossing Tactile varnish vs. foil stamping Color matching across substrates Paperboard weight and packaging durability Creating shelf presence in liquor and beverage categories Integrating brand storytelling into print Working with production, prepress, and color teams Turning a rough concept into a print-ready, high-end package Links: Alberta Distillers Rare Batch case study Project images + visuals Oberding Brand Family website Chris on LinkedIn Print Design Academy - Where designers learn print and packaging design

    1h 23m

  3. 2023-11-22

    Episode 78 - Diego Marini - Yummy Colours - Statue of Liberty + Sophy Holland Books

    This week's guest is Diego Marini. He is a Co-Founder, Creative Director, and Designer from Yummy Colours out of New York. Although he is located in Copenhagen.  Diego loves books. To put it lightly. During client meetings, he's been known to ask "Can't we do a book"? And with a drive like that, he has had the opportunity to help bring some absolute gems to life.  In this episode, we dive into the design, creative direction, and behind-the-scenes production of two beautiful coffee table books. One for Sophy Holland, and the other for the Statue of Liberty. Be sure to check the links below to have a peek.  The Yummy Colours team continues to put together amazing print pieces that help bring their client's goals and visions to life. Legends over there.  Another gem of an episode for the designers and print lovers out there. Check out all the links below!! Statue of Liberty Book Images: CLICK HERESophy Holland Book Images: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Website: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Instagram: CLICK HERE Print Design Mastery 7-day FREE trial Get it HERE. Print Design Summit Waitlist: SIGN UP HERE Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE

    52 min

  4. 2023-10-03

    Episode 77 - Tony - Industry Print Shop

    My guest on this episode is Tony Diaz from Industry Print Shop out of Austin Texas. If you haven't heard of Industry, where have you been!? I call this episode, story time with Tony.  In this episode, we talk about: how Industry started and came to be. how he became "The Merch Guy" some of the important projects that helped Industry grow. Flatstock at SXSW and what it meant for Tony. a workshop at Nike HQ. print projects that went sideways and what happened. projects that Tony is the most proud of. the transition from doing the printing to a business owner leadership role. tough times in the history of Industry. what is really fulfilling for Tony in this stage of his life. and soo soo much more.  Tony is an awesome human and is full of stories that help you to learn from his mistakes, successes, and experiences. You can really feel the genuine joy from him coaching creatives through stories and community.  THE LINKS Industry Print Shop Website: CLICK HERE FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. Print Design Academy on YouTube: CLICK HERE International Print Day: CLICK HEREPrint Across America: CLICK HERE

    1h 29m

  5. 2023-07-11

    Episode 76 - Connie Lui - Yummy Colours - Concept of the Year

    This week's guest is Connie Lui. She is a Partner, Creative Director, and Designer from Yummy Colours out of New York.  I saw an Instagram post that Yummy Colours shared featuring their most recent Concept of the Year print piece, Dear Future. Turns out it was their third year in a row producing the Contept of the Year projects. And we get to hear stories about how all three projects were brought to life.  From the first Issue and why they decided to bring it to life, the second issue and stories of incredible collaboration at scale, to the most recent issue and how the multi-layer unique effects came to life! Another gem of an episode for the designers and print lovers out there. Check out all the links below!!   Concept of the Year Images: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Website: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Instagram: CLICK HERE FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE

    55 min

  6. 2023-04-18

    Episode 75 - 3 Things Designers should do to prepare for a recession

    A rare solo episode with Dave Hopkins, Founder of Print Design Academy and host of the Print Design Podcast. They say we are in a recession and it is going to get worse...so what can you do so that it sucks less? After seeing what happened in the design and print worlds during Covid, I have put together 3 things I think ALL Graphic Designers should do to prepare for any sort of economic uncertainty. FREE DOWNLOAD HERE - Print Ready Files Checklist Learn Print Design on YouTube HERE

    16 min

  7. 2023-04-11

    Episode 74 - The Print Design Summit - BTS, wins, fails, lessons, and will there be a Summit 2024?

    This episode features us, Dave and Gabby, breaking down the Print Design Summit.  We share our expectations, actual results, our wins, our fails, lessons learned, how we feel it went, and answer the big question...will there be a Print Design Summit in 2024? FREE Guide to Craft Beer Label Design: Download it here FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Learn Print Design on YouTube: Watch HERE

    46 min

  8. 2023-04-05

    Episode 73 - Jonny Black - The Office of Ordinary Things - D+K Printing Promotion

    This week's guest is Jonny Black from TOOOT. Also known as The Office of Ordinary Things out of San Francisco California.  This episode is literally years in the making. So you better like it. Kidding, I know you will.  During this episode, we are doing a deep dive into the D+K Printing promotional project. This project is an experience. It's got great print, textures, and tear strips to please your need to play with things.  We also talk about Apple Packaging, Sustainability, and Granola Packaging project from Jonny's early design days.  This is a fun one! TOOOT on IG: HERETOOOT Website: HERE FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE

    1h 14m
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5
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About

In a world racing toward AI and screens, print is more valuable than ever. While everyone fights for attention on the same crowded feeds, the designers reaching for paper, ink, and real tactile work are the ones getting noticed and remembered. The Print Design Podcast is about how they pull it off. Each episode digs into the real stories behind great print and packaging, the substrates and techniques that made them work, the problems solved on press, and the impact the finished piece had out in the world. You'll get the behind-the-scenes details, practical tips, and creative thinking that help you make print worth holding onto, and grow your work with it. Hosted by Dave Hopkins, founder of Print Design Academy, where thousands of designers are learning to bring beautiful print to life. If you're a graphic designer who wants to stand out in a digital world by creating things people can actually touch, this one's for you.

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