The Dscoop Podcast

Fresh from Impressions Expo Long Beach – the leading trade show for decorated apparel – Rusty Pepper and Maddy Alcala caught up with industry leaders to break down what’s ahead for 2025. Optimism is in the air, but so is the need to adapt. Here's what stood out:

🔥 What’s shaping the industry? Mergers, acquisitions, and the rise of Print-on-Demand as a mainstream solution. 🚀 Tech evolution: AI-driven customization, the growing role of DTF, and advancements in DTG and embroidery. 🤝 Why events matter: The power of community, networking, collaboration, and celebrating industry milestones.

Dscoop Marketing Director Chris Hyde and Dscoop Content Producer Darin Painter are energized by the idea-sharing happening every day inside the Dscoop global community. They work hard alongside great teammates (we're looking at you, Aina!) to promote and amplify the success of Dscoopers around the world.

Listen in as Chris and Darin describe how they approach that big-picture mission for Dscoop. It's a fun cycle that begins with genuine listening, embraces the value of relevant and compelling content in a variety of forms, and places the ideas and inspiration of Dscoopers at center stage.

Chris plays with pictures; Darin plays with letters. They try to get those two friends together on a daily basis.

Fair warning: Expect some laughter and a few shenanigans. Like, maybe four or five shenanigans, plus a pinch of tomfoolery. Chris and Darin were a comedy duo in a different life, and generally have a difficult time keeping a straight face. It's part of the charm of their "Unvarnished" video interview series, which captures unscripted conversations with industry thought leaders.

The Vomela Companies' Director of ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility discusses the evolving landscape of sustainability in the print industry.

In this episode of the "Unvarnished" video interview series, sustainability expert Lou Raiola talks about how The Vomela Companies drives change through its commitment to sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Lou, the company's Director of ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility, has long been a champion of causes that inspire social good, He drives Vomela's ESG efforts in communities nationwide while advancing the company's ESG strategy, and will be a featured speaker Oct. 3 at the Fall Forum in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

In the interview, Lou explains that sustainability efforts at Vomela have been a strategic focus for the past five years. The company, which specializes in visual communications for Fortune 500 brands, has taken a dual approach to sustainability — both internally, by transforming their operations, and externally, by aligning with clients' sustainability goals.

One of Vomela's standout projects includes the installation of the largest rooftop solar array in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, where Vomela’s headquarters is located. Additionally, the team has conducted greenhouse gas emissions analyses (Scope 1 and 2) across all their facilities, reflecting their commitment to reduce Vomela's carbon footprint.

One key takeaway from Lou's discussion is the increasing importance of Scope 3 emissions reporting, which focuses on emissions from an organization’s supply chain. Lou emphasized that over 90% of greenhouse gas emissions for large corporations often come from their supply chains, putting pressure on suppliers like Vomela to provide data on their sustainability efforts. This ripple effect of ESG accountability has led Vomela to work closely with clients and suppliers to align on sustainability goals and innovate solutions, such as alternative substrates and reducing the environmental impact of signage.

Lou says ESG is not just a box to check — it requires a full, strategic commitment from leadership to be successful.

In this episode of "Unvarnished," we sit down with Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, to discuss the changing landscape of workforce management — and why companies need to rethink retention. The biggest takeaway? People don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. And as Claudia explains, businesses that focus only on hiring, rather than developing strong leaders, are setting themselves up for failure. She also shares why empathy is a leadership superpower and how companies that embrace it will build stronger teams, improve retention, and create better workplaces. Hit play now, and discover why investing in leadership is the best strategy for keeping your best employees.

Rusty Pepper and Maddy Alcala are back with another episode of Print on Demand Playbook! This time, they’re breaking down the biggest moments that shaped the print-on-demand industry in 2024, from unexpected challenges and major mergers to exciting innovations in AI and sustainability. They’ll also share predictions for 2025, including trends to watch, new opportunities, and the evolving landscape of social commerce and enterprise adoption.

Emily and Helena Kellock are shaping the future of the UK label provider.

Emily and Helena Kellock are two young professionals driving the family business, Label Apeel, to new heights with their innovative spirit, fresh perspectives and passion for delighting clients. As third-generation leaders, the sisters are following in the footsteps of their father, Stuart Kellock, and taking on crucial roles to shape the future of the company that was started by their grandfather in a garden shed in Leicestershire, UK.

The sisters' paths to Label Apeel were not direct, yet they share a deep connection to the business. Helena, who joined first, pursued a corporate career after studying business management. However, the pull of the family legacy was strong, and two years ago, she made the decision to step into the managing director role, where she is now guiding the company through its next phase of growth.

For Emily, her journey to Label Apeel came after a realization during her economics studies. “I was halfway through my degree when I started thinking, ‘Is this really what I want to do?’” Emily explains. “Watching Helena have such an impact on the business inspired me, and I decided to take a different path and join Label Apeel 18 months ago.”

The Kellock sisters have a unique dynamic that has strengthened their leadership approach. “People are often surprised when they hear we’re sisters working together, but we’ve always been friends first,” says Emily. “That relationship translates to a really strong working bond. There’s no one I’d rather be doing this with.”

Label Apeel has long been recognized for its commitment to high-quality label production, particularly in the premium beers, wines, and spirits sector. Under Emily and Helena’s leadership, the company has maintained its reputation for excellence while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in label design and production. “Our motto is simple: if nobody else can do it, come to us. We love a challenge,” says Helena. “And we’re always experimenting, especially with new materials or techniques that customers want to explore.”

This adventurous approach is paired with a deep understanding of the importance of branding and packaging. Helena's experience in corporate retail has given her valuable insights. “I used to work for Aldi, and I saw firsthand how much branding influences purchasing decisions. It’s the same with wine, for example—people often choose based on the label. We know how critical it is to get the packaging right.”

Emily adds that the company’s focus on customer service goes hand in hand with their technical expertise. “We see ourselves as partners, not just suppliers. It’s not just about delivering a product — it’s about ensuring that every label we produce reflects our clients’ brands perfectly."

Together, they're ensuring that Label Apeel remains at the forefront of the industry while staying true to its family roots. Their vision for the future is clear: continue innovating, provide world-class service and maintain the culture of excellence that has made Label Apeel a leader in the UK label industry.

He's bringing together print industry leaders in a new Dscoop series about innovation and the evolving POD landscape.

In this fun episode of the "Unvarnished" video interview series, Rusty Pepper, Head of New Markets and Partnerships at Taylor Corporation, talks candidly about his passion for the print-on-demand (POD) market and his journey into the industry.

Rusty is hosting a new Dscoop educational series called the "Print On Demand Playbook — go here for past recordings and upcoming sessions — and he plays a pivotal role in leading POD strategies.

His career began in the agency and promotions world, where he gained a deep understanding of brand positioning and strategy. That experience helped Rusty recognize the significant opportunities in POD, and he shares his enthusiasm for the POD market in this "Unvarnished" episode.

Rusty’s current role at Taylor focuses on partnerships. “We work across all the different ways that companies are using print-on-demand," he explained, highlighting Taylor’s backend print fulfillment model that works with resellers, platforms and marketplaces.

Watch the interview to get Rusty's take on the future of POD, why the print and promotional products industries are ripe for transformation and his love for all things Texas.

The Print On Demand Playbook is back and ready for an amazing 2025 season. Hear from Rusty Pepper, Head of New Markets and Partnerships at Taylor Corporation and Maddy Alcala, the President of Gooten, as they discuss what's in store for 2025.

This "Unvarnished" episode shines a spotlight on the general manager of Etiqetas Anver in Barcelona, Spain. She embraces the values instilled by her father while building upon the label provider's approach to innovation and responsibility.

For over three decades, Etiquetas Anver has been at the forefront of label printing innovation, blending a rich legacy with cutting-edge technology. Under the leadership of General Manager Elisenda Vergés, the Barcelona, Spain-based company continues to evolve, staying true to the values instilled by its founder — Elisenda's father — while embracing the power of digital transformation.

With a background in hospitality, Elisenda brought a fresh, customer-focused approach to Etiquetas Anver. “In hospitality, the customer experience is essential,” she said. “I have brought the same mindset."

Her commitment to service and adaptability has been instrumental in the company’s shift from traditional flexographic printing to digital solutions, a change driven by market demand for shorter print runs, personalization and flexibility. Digital technology has enabled Etiquetas Anver to respond faster to customer needs, reduce waste, and maintain precise control over print quality, she said.

While the digital transition posed challenges, including the need to educate both staff and clients, it has since become a catalyst for growth. Elisenda notes that digital printing’s speed and flexibility are particularly valuable, saying, “Our clients especially appreciate the quick turnaround times and the flexibility in the number of labels that they can order.” This agility has allowed Etiquetas Anver to attract new customers and expand its capabilities.

Sustainability is another core focus for the company. From minimizing waste to utilizing solar power and FSC-certified materials, Elisenda underscores their commitment to eco-friendly practices. “We want to look after our planet, so we have to invest,” she said.

Dr. William Goh is a seasoned, respected professional with extensive experience in print and photography. As Director of Angel Prints Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, he has successfully expanded his business reach through strategic collaborations with over 300 PSPs locally and has established partnerships with printing suppliers in China.

His career is distinguished by multiple awards and recognitions, including honorary doctorates in social work and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Goh graciously joined us as a guest for "The Link," a conversation series that brings together digital print leaders to share insights on collaborating, to talk about his partnership mindset and strategies.