Get Hands On Experience at the Expo
Looking to sharpen your engraving, sublimation, or sandcarving skills with expert guidance? Our hands-on training sessions provide a unique opportunity to work directly with industry professionals and practice techniques in real time.
These interactive workshops are designed for laser engravers, personalization business owners, trophy and awards makers, sign and promotional product professionals, and anyone looking to enhance their customization expertise.
Pricing & Registration
Hands-on sessions require an additional registration fee. If you have purchased an education pass, you will still need to buy a separate ticket for each hands-on session.
- Member Rate: $125 per hands on session
- Non-Member Rate: $150 per hands on session
2026 Hands On Session Schedule
Wednesday, February 25
Hands-on Session: Blazering- Merging Technologies
7:30-10 AM
Darin Jones, IKONICS Imaging and Braden Todd, Trotec
Session Code 401
This hands-on technical session explores the innovative fusion of two distinct but complementary technologies, laser engraving and sandcarving. Seminar participants gain insight on how to upsell to glass customers by transitioning from their laser’s shallow etch to the smooth-sanded, deep-carve capabilities of a sandcarver. In addition, participants will work with substrates that were traditionally difficult with lasers, such as polished metals and hard ceramic glazes. Instructors, Darin Jones of IKONICS Imaging and Braden Todd of Trotec, are experts in their respective technologies. Darin and Braden will empower participants with a working knowledge to combine laser with sandcarving in one process to enhance offerings.
.25 CEU Technical
Price – $125 Members/$150 Non Member
Hands-on Session: Laser-Cut Appliqués: Hands-On Design + Fabrication
7:30-10:00 AM
Darrel, Stephens, Trotec Laser
Session Code 402
Discover how laser technology transforms textile decoration in this interactive, maker-friendly workshop. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of cutting appliqués with a laser—including why lasers excel at textile work through non-contact processing, heat-sealed edges, precise contour cutting, and high-detail results.
After a short demo, attendees will jump straight into creating: each attendee will design and laser-cut their own custom name from twill, then heat-press it onto a shirt to take home. The class also introduces advanced techniques such as kiss-cutting multi-layer twill and working with leather and leatherette for patch-making.
This fast-paced, hands-on session is perfect for anyone interested in apparel customization, digital fabrication, or learning how lasers can elevate textile applications. Attendees leave with new skills—and a personalized piece of wearable art.
.25 CEU Technical
Price – $125 Member/$150 Non Member
Hands-on Session: How to Color Fill Etched Products
7:30-10:00 AM
Liz Haas, Rayzist Photomask
Session Code 403
In this hands-on session, you’ll explore various paint techniques by painting a wine bottle and a rock. You’ll learn the recommended methods for applying paint to different materials, enhancing the value and appeal of your sandcarved products by adding a color fill. Whether it’s glass, stone, wood, or metal, a color fill adds contrast and beauty to the etched areas, potentially expanding your product line and increasing profits. You don’t need to be an artist—just knowledgeable about your materials!
.25 CEU Technical
Price – $125 Member/$150 Non Member
Explore General Education Sessions
Explore common topics in personalization and engage in active discussion with other personalization professionals during our General Education sessions.