Ken Huizenga

About Ken Huizenga

Printing Industry Innovator | Operations Leader | Digital Embellishment ExpertI’ve spent my entire career in the Graphic Arts and Print Marketing industry—starting at 16 with a fascination for how things work, and never losing that drive to make them better. Over 40 years later, that same passion fuels my work: optimizing processes, embracing innovation, and helping teams reach their full potential.For the past two decades, I led operations across offset, digital press, and finishing departments, while pioneering the integration of digital embellishment technologies into production and marketing. This commitment to innovation earned my shop multiple awards, including Printing Impressions’ “Innovative Printer of the Year” (2021).What defines my approach is a relentless focus on both people and process. I believe the success of a print shop is built not only on precision and quality control but also on nurturing a production team to be even better than the teacher. Whether through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, or G7 certification, I’ve leveraged every tool available to deliver measurable results and operational excellence.Career Highlights: • 40+ years driving profitability, efficiency, and quality in commercial print operations. • Successfully researched, evaluated, and implemented diverse print and bindery technologies. • Factory-trained and certified to operate advanced inkjet embellishment equipment and the Komori IS29 UV Inkjet Press. • Expertise in developing training programs, mentoring teams, and fostering collaborative environments. • Recognized industry-wide for pushing the limits of print technology to unlock new profit centers and accelerate ROI.Certifications & Expertise:Electronics | Color Theory | Lean Manufacturing | Six Sigma | ISO 9001 | G7 | Inkjet & Digital Embellishment TechnologiesOutside of work, I’ve swapped NASCAR’s Factory Stock Car racing for competitive cycling, where I continue to chase challenges with the same energy and discipline that have fueled my career.If you’re looking for someone who can help you innovate, streamline, and inspire in the world of print, let’s connect.

Experience

1. Technical Operations Consultant

   Taktiful

   May 2022 — Present

   We connect people to your brand using the science of touch.Taktiful are the digital embellishment, sales and marketing specialists, who focus on helping the print industry and their customers make sensory print and universal design the obvious choice for all their print needs.We combine the science of touch with the power of print to give you a taktiful experience worth coming back for.We show you how to use a more customer-focused sales approach which emphasizes value over price. This is the key to making more salesand taking a larger slice of the USD $42B global digital printing packaging market.We help you capitalize on the fact that consumers buy packaging first and products second, and that they are willing to pay a premium forluxury packaged goods and extraordinary unboxing experiences.Together, we’ll adjust your sales and marketing approach and show you how to sell luxury print to all your customers.When you work with taktiful, you are working with a team of sales and marketing specialists that grew up in the industry and are laserfocused on everything to do with digital embellishments.We know how to make luxury print profitable for you, and valuable for your customers.We work with clients in the U.S.A, Canada, Europe and APAC countries who rely on us to help them become more profitable.

Education

• Pima Collage

  Business Management

  1990 — 1992

• Sauk Area Technical

  Certificate, Graphic Arts/Electronics

  1982 — 1984

• University of Arizona

  A+ Certification, Computer Hardware

  2004 — 2004

Skills

• Integrated Marketing
• Variable Data Printing
• Color Management
• Trade Shows
• Wide Format Printing
• Pre-Press
• Offset Printing
• Social Media
• Bindery
• Digital Printing
• Packaging
• Mac
• Proof
• Flexo
• Direct Mail
• New Business Development
• Print Management
• Labels
• Email Marketing
• Advertising
• Graphics
• Lean Manufacturing
• Direct Marketing
• Graphic Arts
• Inkjet
• Coatings
• Ink
• B2b
• Managed Print Services
• Catalogs
• Print on Demand
• Quarkxpress
• Adobe Acrobat
• Banners