The Dscoop Podcast

What makes this episode of "The LINK" particularly compelling is the interactive energy between featured guest James Nilles and audience members.

The conversation focuses on how James, general manager of Germany-based etikett.de, part of CCL Label, built the systems and thinking behind his digital-first label business.

One valuable moment came when a participant running a cannabis label business asked about managing seasonality within a highly specialized niche. Their discussion led to the point that growth strategies rarely follow a straight line. James emphasizes the importance of balancing specialization with diversification, noting that niche expertise can drive differentiation, yet relying on a single segment may create capacity challenges.

That pragmatic mindset reflects the evolution of etikett.de itself. After joining his family’s label business, James identified the early shift toward online print and built a digital-first label platform designed for speed, flexibility and automation. Today, the operation serves customers across multiple European markets and operates within the global scale of CCL Label, while maintaining the agility of an entrepreneurial venture. This balance allows the company to test ideas quickly, refine workflows and scale what proves effective.

Automation sits at the center of that model. The team at etikett.de develops its own front- and backend systems to streamline order processing, production planning and fulfillment. These integrated workflows reduce manual touchpoints and enable the company to handle high order volumes without sacrificing responsiveness.

Equally important is the role of people and culture in sustaining growth. James describes how building strong teams and clear systems allows the business to perform under pressure, particularly in an environment where customer expectations continue to rise.

In Episode 13 of "The LINK," Benn Murphy of Clarke Murphy Print shares how a fifth-generation family business continues to evolve in Australia’s competitive print market. By blending tradition with diversification, speed and strong relationships, CMP has grown into a 90-person, multi-division operation built for modern brand demands.

When Dscoop Executive Director Peter van Teeseling sat down with Benn Murphy, Director of Clarke Murphy Print (CMP) in Sydney, Australia, what emerged was a portrait of a company that honors its past while moving decisively toward the future. The conversation explores how a deeply rooted family print business continues to grow and adapt, guided by optimism, operational discipline and a relentless focus on service.

The CMP story stretches back generations, but its modern chapter began in 1989 when the business started in a garage. Benn grew up around the presses, absorbing both the technical side of print and the cultural rhythms of a family-led organization. Even today, traditions such as a daily 10:15 a.m. morning tea break for staff remain intact, reinforcing connection and shared identity across a now 90-person team operating across nine specialized factories. That blend of continuity and ambition has become a defining strength.

Diversification has been central to CMP’s growth strategy. The company operates across offset, digital, wide format, roll labels, design and offshore procurement, positioning itself as a comprehensive brand and production partner rather than a single-channel printer. A labels division launched during the uncertainty of COVID has already grown to represent roughly 5%–6% of sales, focusing on point-of-sale and on-demand labels with 24-hour turnaround times. CMP's broad strategy is to capture more of each customer’s spend by solving more of their problems.

Benn points out that speed has emerged as a core differentiator. Seven years ago, CMP introduced print-on-demand services, initially focused on ultra-short-run book production. What began as a seemingly marginal offering evolved into an operational catalyst, sharpening workflows and improving overall performance. Today, the company achieves 99% on-time delivery within 24 hours during peak periods — a significant improvement from just a few years prior. In a market where clients increasingly value responsiveness, time has become CMP’s most powerful competitive advantage.

Supplier relationships are treated as strategic assets rather than transactional necessities. Benn explains that CMP maintains strict payment discipline and hosts an annual supplier night that brings together paper providers, machinery manufacturers and technology partners. This commitment to partnership fosters trust and ensures access to innovation and support when needed. The same collaborative spirit extends globally, as Benn actively connects with international print peers through site visits and owner-to-owner conversations. Those exchanges provide candid operational insights that can be adapted locally without competitive tension.

Looking ahead, Benn and his team continue to invest in automation and AI, with dedicated staff focused on refining administrative and production processes.

For Dscoop members, Benn’s journey underscores the value of balancing heritage with agility, diversifying with intention and cultivating relationships that sustain long-term growth.

When Betsy Davis entered the print industry 25 years ago as a college graduate, she admits she "had no idea what I was doing." She called ink "paint" for two weeks while working on the press. Today, as Chief Marketing Officer and EVP of National Sales at Sandy Alexander, Betsy has become a powerful voice for industry transformation, particularly when it comes to attracting young talent and empowering women.

In this episode of "The LINK," a conversation series about industry collaboration, Betsy didn't mince words about what's really holding the print industry back: fear.

"If you think about our longtime press operators — those color scientists that still love the science of ink and color, the guys on the press room floor who love to get their hands dirty and work in the mechanics of the presses — when they see that next generation come in, it's a very different vibe," she said.

In a recent episode of Dscoop's "The LINK" interview series, Bettylyn Krafft shared her inspiring journey from a business graduate with no graphics background to becoming the driving force behind the Phoenix Challenge, a transformative program that has placed over 700 people into the printing industry over its 28-year history.

The Phoenix Challenge operates through three distinct programs: curriculum development with equipment installation in schools, a high school skills-based competition and a college challenge involving comprehensive branding projects. High school competitors complete technical tests and press operations, while college participants develop complete branding packages for small businesses or nonprofits.

What makes the Phoenix Challenge so impactful is its self-sustaining cycle of mentorship. Former students now return as judges, mentors and employers, creating a talent pipeline that continues to strengthen the print community. Companies that engage with the organization gain access to motivated, technically trained graduates and also reinforce their connection to the next generation of industry talent.

Bettylyn emphasized the importance of engagement and mentorship during the conversation: "Just engage with each other and find your mentor. Find that person, and it'll happen when you least expect it. But keep understanding what print is about and exploring your career opportunities. The sky's the limit. Just look where your passion is."

Her philosophy is simple yet profound: Learn the process, love the craft and share the knowledge. Through that mindset, the Phoenix Challenge continues to spark curiosity, creativity and commitment.

When Alece Birnbach saw someone draw a simple umbrella during a meeting to illustrate a speaker's point, it sparked a career transition that would combine her advertising background with her passion for drawing. Now, with 15 years of experience as a graphic recorder, she helps organizations communicate complex ideas through visual storytelling.

"Graphic recording is three things: listening, synthesizing and drawing," Alece explains in this episode of "The LINK." During meetings, conferences, and strategic sessions, she creates real-time visual representations of discussions and presentations. The result is a compelling visual story that helps attendees better retain and share information. (See her work from the Edge Long Beach education tracks Optimize, Innovate, Sell and Inspire.)

Alece's work spans various formats, from live conference sessions to knowledge walls where participants contribute ideas that she transforms into themed visuals. She also creates story maps for organizations undergoing transformation, recently helping a major fashion brand communicate changes to over 2,000 employees. "People remember what they see many times more than what they hear," she says.

For organizations struggling with internal communication, Alece often employs metaphors that resonate with specific audiences. Whether it's using a rock band theme for a fashion brand or a garden metaphor for mental health benefits, these visual frameworks help align teams around shared visions. She encourages others to start small when incorporating visuals into note-taking: Use shapes, arrows, and simple figures to connect ideas. "You're already doing it when you circle things or draw arrows," she says. "That's the beginning of graphic recording and visual notes."

Through her work at Graphic Recording Studio, Birnbach continues to help organizations communicate more effectively, one visual story at a time.

Welcome to Print on Demand Playbook, a Dscoop discussion series that takes a 360-degree look at the POD market, featuring tips and experiences from printing pros who have launched and grown business in the POD segment.

In each episode, moderator Rusty Pepper, Head of New Markets & Partnerships at Taylor OnDemand, a division of the $2.5 billion visual communications powerhouse, Taylor Corporation. He welcomes guests whose experiences and tips can serve as guiding lights toward your best possible POD direction.

In Episode 2, discover how leading companies like Canva and HelloPrint are tackling environmental challenges, balancing growth with sustainability and making a genuine impact across the supply chain.

Get insight and ideas from ...

1. Isabelle de Wolf, Head of Sustainability for $90 million EU-based print platform HelloPrint
2. Jim Towle, Head of Print and Partnerships at Canva

Rusty, Isabelle and Jim will explore ...

1. Circular economy practices
2. Supply-chain transparency
3. Avoiding greenwashing
4. Future trends in the POD market

Bubu's CEO talks about the value of diversification, shares some creative binding techniques and points to a digital future for the company.

Bubu has a rich 80-year history in bookbinding. How has its CEO, Thomas Freitag, managed to maintain the company's traditional craftsmanship while adapting to modern digital printing technologies?

Find out in this episode of the "Unvarnished" video interview series. It features Thomas and the ongoing evolution of Bubu, based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Gain ideas and inspiration from Thomas as he talks about ...

• Bubu's legacy and evolution
• What promoted Bubu to diversify into digitally printed photobooks and archival storage
• Creative binding techniques
• Market demand and growth in Switzerland
• How the Bubu teams engages with customers
• Sustainability in the bookbinding market
• Bubu's bright future

What does the next generation of industry talent like? Look no further than these five impressive Ferris State University students.

The future of the digital print industry is being created today, thanks to the fresh perspective, skills and passion of young talent around the world. Our profession's rising stars are helping companies transform and shine.

As you'll see in this video, some of these stars are forming early, even as early as their sophomore year of college.

The group interview features four students enrolled in Ferris State University's graphic media management program in the College of Business. Together, Tara Seth, Maggie Lewis, Mackenzie Griffin, Emalyn Nelson and Faith Robinson are a constellation of young talent that presents an energizing picture of the print communications landscape. They care more about future communication than past convention, and they have a burning desire to make a difference.

Soon, Tara, Maggie, Mackenize, Emalyn and Faith will be pioneering new pathways to success in the world of print and marketing communications. Perhaps they will find internships or employment through Dscoop connections. They all networked with Dscoopers at Edge Indy, where during the event Tara also helped to drive an important discussion during an educational session about marketing to different generations.

What are they learning in the Ferris State program? What did they discover during Edge Indy? How might they begin to shape their careers?

Enjoy the conversation and find out.

In this episode of "The Link," Douglas Gibson, CEO and Founder of Infigo, shares collaboration principles that have shaped his company into a global leader in print and web-to-print technology. He emphasizes the importance of building strong alliances with both partners and competitors.

Douglas' journey with Infigo began over a decade ago, rooted in a passion for software and a determination to simplify the print industry’s transition to digital workflows. Live on the Dscoop.com platform, he highlighted how partnerships have played a crucial role in this success. By focusing on the collective success of all involved, Infigo has been able to deliver innovative solutions to clients.

He also shared that Infigo’s philosophy is deeply influenced by the Dscoop community, which he praised for fostering an open environment where competitors come together to solve industry challenges.

In this episode, Rusty and Maddy share their experience visiting Riga, a growing hub for top print-on-demand talent. They reflect on their visit to the Printful facility and discuss key 2025 trends, emerging technology needs, and how rising customer acquisition costs are shaping the industry’s future. The conversation also highlights the importance of strong partnerships in driving success in the evolving print landscape. Watch now for valuable insights and industry perspectives!