Full house at Stahls’ first ever Print on Demand Conference held in Phoenix, AZ
First Ever Print on Demand Conference
On February 24-26, something truly groundbreaking happened in the world of print on demand. Stahls’ and Stahls’ Fulfill Engine hosted the first-ever (invite-only) Print on Demand (POD) Conference. This industry-first event was dedicated to bringing together the best minds in the business to talk about the future of POD. And let me tell you—what a game-changer it was.
While I was not able to attend in person, I’ve heard multiple first hand accounts from our team members and Stahls’ CEO Carleen Gray. This was more than just another conference. It was a meeting of industry leaders from every corner of the POD world—distributors, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, fulfillment experts, and POD platforms—all coming together with a shared goal: to advance the future of on-demand production through collaboration and innovation.
From the moment the event kicked off in Phoenix, it was clear it was something special. Over 160 attendees engaged in high-level discussions about technology, automation, and the best strategies for scaling a print-on-demand business.
Dream Scenario
It was my dream scenario: A group of problem solvers, leaders, thinkers and innovators looking for ways to improve, streamline, and grow together.
Stahls’ CEO Carleen Gray, captured it perfectly: “This conference proved that when we come together—sharing insights, innovations, and strategies—we can truly shape the future of our industry.”
Great Speakers
Attendees heard from the best as industry leaders took the stage to share their knowledge and expertise:
- Rusty Pepper (Taylor on Demand) led a panel with Jenna Sackett (Stahls’) and Joey Klinger (SanMar).
- Maddy Alcala (Gooten) and Dave Higashi (Crowdmade) broke down key market trends and how understanding consumer behavior drives POD success.
- Alejandro Lozdziejski (Customily) and Jayson Tompkins (Stahls’ Fulfill Engine) dove into AI-powered design tools and automation in e-commerce.
- Jason Lucash (Rupt) shared powerful insights on branding, packaging, and creating an unforgettable customer experience.
- Rodney McDonald (USColorworks) and Richard Nadel (MWW On Demand) tackled shop floor efficiency and the evolution of production workflows.
- Cassie Green (Apparelist) led a discussion with top blank apparel experts, including Carissa Richmond (Bella+Canvas), Amanda Pritchett (Momentec), and Milissa Gibson (Lane Seven), on the latest apparel trends shaping the market.
- Adam Malpocher (Printify/Printful, CFO) provided insights into mergers and acquisitions in the POD space, a topic that’s more relevant than ever.
- Ross Hunter (ROQ, President/Partner) wrapped up with a forward-thinking look at how bulk processes can be adapted for a print-on-demand future.
Josh Ellsworth, GroupeSTAHL Chief Revenue Officer, who was the master of ceremonies, summed it up well: “Print on demand is evolving fast, and success depends on working together to develop best practices. This event was the perfect space for industry leaders to connect, learn, and innovate together.”
And that’s exactly what happened. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. People walked away not just with new ideas, but with new friends, new strategies, and a renewed excitement for the potential of POD.
Thank you for coming
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to this incredible event.
Thank you to our sponsors
In addition, we truly appreciate the support of event sponsors SanMar, Lane Seven Apparel, OrderMyGear, Spoke, US STANDARD APPAREL, Printify, Printful, Momentec Brands, Bella + Canvas, Taylor on Demand, Melco, and ROQ. You helped make it possible.
Thank you to our team
Last but not least, I would also like to extend my thanks to the team behind the scenes at Stahls’ who put the event together. We have received nothing but compliments on your efforts to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated. And I hear everyone especially liked the alpacas.
Stahls’ team members at the inaugural Print on Demand Conference event.
Jayson Tompkins, Richard Nadel, Rodney McDonald panel discussion.
Our son Trevor Stahl, who works for Stahls’ Fulfill Engine, at an after-hours event starring some friendly alpacas.