Print Design Podcast - Inspiration for In-house Creative Teams

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

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

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

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

This week's guest is Mackenzie Brookshire. She is the Creative Director from Landscape out of Oakland, CA. @thisislandscape During this episode, we talk about drawing sunshines, Koolaid points, Cereal Packaging, and more! Our deep dive is into a project she worked on for Cookma, a meal delivery service and product line for growing families. The print and packaging they created is bright, welcoming, and just makes you feel good when you see it. Really enjoyed this conversation with Mackenzie and I know you will too.  THE LINKS: Landscape WebsiteLandscape InstagramCookma - Design WorkDOG - A project space Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HERE Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Gene Portnoy. He is the talented creative behind Work and Company. @genepdesign @workandcompany We did things a little bit differently on this episode. It's a couple of mini conversations put into one. When we first spoke, the project we were talking about was literally at the printers. Like "photos sent of the press sheet that morning" at the printers. A few weeks later we were able to connect for a wrap-up conversation once he had received his samples and his client had some feedback. Awesome! The deep dive for this episode is all about the Full Bloom Cannabis packaging project. We talk about the details and story that went into the packaging, the design system created across multiple pieces, as well as the details behind getting things ready for production. Gene is a very talented designer and creative problem solver and makes for a great conversation. I know you'll dig this one. THE LINKS: Work and Company WebsiteGene Portnoy InstagramWork and Company Instagram Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HERE Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files Checklist Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guests are Ron and Mackenzie from Macaroni Creative. This is their second time on the show chatting about awesome packaging they had created and put out in the world. During this interview, we talk about Hot Dogs and Sausages. But also Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) packaging. Our deep dive is all about the Millers Craft Meats rebrand. This covers logos, collateral, packaging, and more. But we are here to chat about the packaging and how they made it all work on different substrates and different products. This was a great conversation from some absolute pros in the CPG and beyond design space. @macaroni_creative THE LINKS: Macaroni Creative WebsiteMillers Craft Meats ProjectMacaroni Instagram Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files Checklist Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This weeks guest is Paul Haggerty. He is a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Art Director out of Pittsburg PA. @paul_haggerty During this episode, we talk about some of the projects he has come across and worked on over is 10+ year design career. Packaging and Merch. Dicks Sporting Goods. Album Artwork. and more.. But our project deep dive is for the Smokers Section Journal. This amazing piece was created to document your cannabis journey through different strains and smoking methods. It was Riso printed by the amazing crew over at @risolve Riso printing was the perfect way to produce this one. This was a great conversation that I know you will enjoy! THE LINKS: Paul Haggerty WebsitePaul Haggerty InstagramSmokers Section WebsiteSmokers Section InstagramRisolve Studio Website Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

My guest on this episode is Lyndsey Burke from Risolve Press @risolve. A wicked Riso Print Studio out of Lancaster PA. I didn't know very much about Riso print until about a year ago. Since then I've been learning all that I can and this episode was awesome for that.  We talk about Riso Print, the dice-roll story of Risolve Press, and we dive into a couple of awesome riso print projects. If you are new to Riso, or just a huge fan of print, you are really going to love this chat.  THE LINKS Risolve Press WebsiteRisolve Press InstagramVans x Record Store Print - Designed by Jordi Ng @whoremoneSmokers Section Book Print - Designed by Paul Haggerty @paul_haggerty

My guests today are JoEllen and Tony from the talented team at Ultra Creative, @ultra_creative. If that name sounds familiar, it's because this is their second time on the Print Design Podcast. I have also interviewed two other creatives over their back on The Quickie Podcast.  In this episode, we are doing a deep dive into a pretty special project. Stranger Things Cereal boxes through a partnership with Netflix and General Mills.  We talk about how this project came to be, the hurdles they needed to overcome, and just how many little 'easter eggs' you can find in the design. These boxes were for sale but quickly sold out. A really unique one for sure.  Check out the pictures at the links below! Ultra Creative Website: CLICK HEREUltra Creative Instagram: CLICK HEREStranger Things Boxes - CLICK HERE Learn how to be an expert at designing for print, and how to create awesome packaging like these boxes. Print Design Mastery - Learn how to overcome all those questions and hurdles you run into when you are designing for print.Print Design Academy YouTube - Free lessons and tips on print design. FREE Print Ready File Checklist: Learn to export print-ready files every time. 

This week we are talking about Risograph printing! My guest on this episode is Heather Cranston from Pulp + Paper Creative out of Thunder Bay Ontario! Fellow Canadian in the house. The project we are doing a deep dive into is the 2020 Roots to Harvest Annual Report. I should say the AWARD WINNING project. This project won an RGD 2022 So(cial) Good Design Award. Heather shares with us what Roots to Harvest is all about and why risograph was the best way to print this one and put it out in the world. We also talk about a print "oops" that really led to sparks flying! Heather is super rad and this was a fantastic conversation I know you will enjoy! THE LINKS Pulp + Paper Instagram CLICK HEREPulp + Paper Website CLICK HERE Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at Print Design: CLICK HEREFREE Print Ready Files Checklist - CLICK HERE

This week we are talking about some beautiful chocolate boxes! My guest is Allison Henry Aver from Letter A Studio out of Portland OR.  In this episode we talk about how she started her design career in NYC and some of the studios she was with there. Then we get into chatting about Vests, yes, making vests. ;) We talk about cute boxes and other great packaging as well.  Our deep dive on this episode is the Spring & Mulberry chocolate boxes that Letter A Studio recently designed and put out into the world. We talk about the ideas and story behind the design, how it all came together, and some production details too! Check the links below to find Letter A Studio and their work, as well as where to find Spring & Mulberry chocolate.  THE LINKS: Letter A Studio Website Letter A Studio Instagram Spring & Mulberry Chocolates Print Design Academy YouTube - Teaching Graphic designers about print. Print Design Academy Website  FREE Print Ready File Checklist 

In this episode you are getting the full story and introduction to Dave and Gabby. We share our backgrounds in the design and print fields as well as how we first met. We also talk about our first memories of printed stuff and nostalgic print. Gabby and I also share the origins of Print Design Academy, and what we are building and creating for you over the next few months!