Pictured above (L-R): Ryan Baise, Youth Inc.; Rusty Pepper, Taylor on Demand; Lisa Hubbard, Vernon; and Rob Watson, Vantage Apparel

From Feb. 16-18, 2026, West Palm Beach, Florida, became filled with alpaca-obsessed print-on-demand (POD) companies. Hosted by STAHLS’ Fulfill Engine, the POD Conference held its second event by gathering together apparel decorators, software providers, fulfillment partners, and print industry suppliers to dive deep into the current state of POD.

The Premium Experience of POD

From the get-go, several clear themes and conversations emerged that seem to embody what POD is today: a business model that cannot and does not rest on minimum order quantities of one. Today’s end-user, whether it’s the individual buyer, a corporate client, school, or anyone else looking for merch, wants high-quality products delivered through a premium experience.

The opening session — moderated by Rusty Pepper, head of global markets & partnerships, Taylor on Demand — zeroed in on the traction POD is gaining. Speakers included:

Each speaker agreed that the POD process should be a business model mindset that’s focused on infrastructure, implementation, and automation. It’s about meeting the customers’ needs to create a personalized, premium experience.

As the conference moved into the following sessions, the focus on the growth of POD became even more heightened. The process still presents challenges, but as Watson noted, that’s where the most valuable growth comes from. “If you close your eyes right now, and you go back two years, and you were to open your eyes, none of us would be in this room,” he said. “In two years, there’s been a conversation around print-on-demand that allows us not only to come learn and network, but we’re sharing ideas, and that we’re truly being peers in driving the industry forward, particularly when it comes to innovation.”

Going hand-in-hand with discussing POD as a business model was deep discussion on creating an experience. Session two of the event, which was a fireside-style chat between Josh Ellsworth, CRO of STAHLS’, and Allen Sandberg, director, retail operations, Atlanta Braves, used the fan experience as an example.

Sandberg emphasized that his main focus is the fan experience, and offering an in-person, on-demand area in the stadium where fans can create a custom jersey brings huge value. POD, whether a fan experience or a corporate store, opens up the ability to give the end-user products they actually want.

AI, of course, plays a role in how POD continues to evolve, particularly when it comes to artwork and data. In one session, “Cutting Through the AI Noise: Practical AI from Industry Leaders,” each speaker looked at different ways their company uses AI to help propel their business forward and solve problems. For example, printers can use AI to search and analyze data, identify buying patterns and trending products, and then create custom web stores and experiences for each client based in their needs.

Innovators and New Connections

A new component of this year’s POD Conference was the Emerging Innovators Showcase. Split into two sessions, each one featured three different innovators who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in POD, whether that’s through AI, design creation, or even new approaches to the POD process.

Session one spotlighted the following people and companies:

Session two spotlighted the following people and companies:

Not to be ignored were the fun-loving alpacas, brought back by popular demand following last year’s inaugural event. Not only did attendees get to once again engage with the beloved animals, but the POD Conference also allowed for plenty of networking opportunities for attendees.

The number one goal is that attendees gain a new connection, new business, new partners, or new collaboration at the event, said Ellsworth during an interview with Apparelist. Carleen Gray, CEO of GroupeStahl, added that she strongly feels there will only be more growth as the industry continues to push the POD business mindset forward.