The new 2025 Digital Embellishment Study provides detailed analysis of how current users of embellishment technologies are utilizing them, what the response from customers has been, how satisfied print providers have been with the sales and profitability of these jobs, where the challenges lie, and their general feelings about the future of digital embellishments.
This executive report features the results of an exhaustive survey of owners of digital ink and toner embellishment technologies, such as those offered by Scodix, MGI, Konica Minolta, or via the fifth-toner option on a digital press. The digital embellishment category is poised for dramatic growth, and there are ample opportunities for commercial printers, packagers, and other print service providers to utilize these new technologies to add value to customer communications, and develop a lucrative new profit center. How aware are print customers that these technologies exist? Do they see any value in using them for their communications? How are PSPs are their customers using these technologies? Are PSPs happy with the sales and profitability of these technologies? What are the barriers to achieving greater profitability? Where are the bottlenecks in actually producing jobs using digital embellishments?
This report is ideal for…
Print service providers—to find out how their peers are using digital embellishments, the success they are having with them, the challenges they have experienced, and their overall view of the market.
Digital press manufacturers—to understand how users are using these technologies on their presses, and how press vendors can help their customers get the most out of digital embellishment technologies.
Designers—to understand how to help their own design clients take advantage of the opportunities to be had in adding digital embellishments to their printed communications.
Starting at: $495.00
- Individual License (Just For You)—$495.00
- Enterprise Site License (For Your Whole Team—includes a slide kit for internal and external presentations)—$795.00
“Bespoke” editions with custom cuts of the data are available.
Key Findings:
54% of survey respondents said that the main reason they added digital embellishment capabilities was to generate more profit.
88% of respondents said that clients are interested in digital embellishment capabilities.
Two-thirds of respondents (65%) are satisfied with the profits they make off digital embellishment jobs, but only 37% are satisfied with the sales of these jobs.
35% said that digital embellishment jobs were “always” more profitable than regular CMYK jobs, while 44% said they “usually” are.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Background
The Lay of the Land
How This Report is Organized
For More Information
Prologue. The Embellishment Evolution: 2023–2025
Main Investment Drivers
Competitive Landscape
Utilization Patterns
Run Lengths
Top Applications
Marketing Strategy
Customer Familiarity
Profitability
Sales Training
Primary Obstacle to Sales
Set Up Times
Design Difficulty
Growth Rate and the Future of Embellishments
Regulatory and Standardization Impact
Section I. Use and Value of Digital Embellishments
Main Reason for Acquiring
Competition
Frequency of Use
Average Run
Popular Commercial Printing Applications
Popular Packaging Applications
Conclusions
Section II. The Business of Embellishments
Self-Promotion and Marketing
Business Plan
Self-Promotion
Marketing
Customer Familiarity
Market Knowledgeability
Satisfaction with Quality
Value in Sales and Marketing
Customer Interest
Demand for Embellishments
Satisfaction with Sales and Profit
Overall Profitability
Conclusions
Section III. Challenges and Obstacles to Digital Embellishment Jobs
Sales Training
Biggest Obstacles to Sales
Estimating
Designing and Setting Up Embellishment Jobs
Set-Up Times
Ease of Design
Internal/External Design
Conclusions
Section IV. Looking Ahead
Increase Capacity
The Future of Embellishments
In Their Own Write…
Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
For Print Businesses
For Vendors
Going Forward
Appendix A. Demographics
Primary Market
Location
Size of Establishment
Age
Equipment
Fifth-Color Option
Appendix B. An Embellishment Primer
Analog Embellishments
Foil and Metallic Effects
Digital Embellishments
Foil-on-Toner and Laminators
Inkjet Spot Gloss, Foiling, and High Build
EcoLeaf Filmless Metallic
Metallic Toners
Print Over Foiled or Laminated Media
Flood Coating
Doming
Appendix C. Methodology and Questionnaire
The 2025 Digital Embellishment Study