When consumers walk into a showroom, they're often drawn to a floor because of how it looks. 

Maybe it's the warmth of a weathered oak, the character of reclaimed wood, or the subtle texture that makes a surface feel authentic. What most people don't realize is that long before those visuals appear on a laminate plank, they begin as an idea—carefully developed through a process that combines design, technology, trend forecasting, and technical expertise. 

Recently, NALFA Association Manager Harmony Nikolla and Association Administrator & Marketing Lead Kayla Shields visited Interprint's Pittsfield, Massachusetts facility for a behind-the-scenes look at how decorative surfaces are brought to life. Joined by Account Manager Dave Jakacky, Technical Director Nimesh Bhattarai, and the Interprint team, the visit offered a deeper appreciation for one of the most creative and often unseen parts of the laminate flooring industry. 

As a global leader in decor printing for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and interior design applications, Interprint helps transform inspiration into visuals that ultimately shape how consumers experience products. 

Where Great Designs Begin 

One of the biggest takeaways from the visit was that great laminate visuals rarely begin with flooring. 

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere—a reclaimed barn board, a historic piece of timber, a weathered architectural detail, natural stone, fabric, or even something as unexpected as a pair of jeans. 

The challenge isn't simply replicating those materials. It's understanding what makes them compelling in the first place. 

Interprint's designers study grain patterns, color variation, texture, movement, and visual character, then reinterpret those details into designs that feel both authentic and relevant for today's market. It's a process that blends creativity with deep technical knowledge, resulting in visuals that capture the essence of a material while meeting the demands of modern manufacturing and consumer expectations. 

Creating the Realism Consumers Expect 

As laminate flooring visuals continue to evolve, consumer expectations have evolved right along with them. 

Today's designs are expected to look and feel more realistic than ever before, and achieving that level of authenticity requires precision at every stage of development. 

The Interprint team walked NALFA through the process of how designs move from concept to production, demonstrating the careful coordination required among color development, engraving, texture creation, and printing. Even subtle adjustments to color or pattern can dramatically impact how realistic a finished product appears. 

One particularly fascinating aspect of the process was seeing how visual design and texture work together. The most successful designs don't just look authentic; they create a cohesive visual and tactile experience that enhances the overall realism of the finished floor. 

What became clear throughout the visit was the amount of expertise involved behind every surface. Every design represents collaboration across multiple disciplines, all working toward the same goal: creating beautiful, believable visuals that perform consistently and resonate with consumers. 

"We appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from Dave, Nimesh, and the Interprint team," said Harmony Nikolla, NALFA Association Manager. "Seeing the process firsthand provided a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship, collaboration, and technical expertise required to bring these designs to life." 

Looking Ahead to What's Next 

Decorative surface design is also about anticipating what's next. 

Like fashion, furniture, and interior design, flooring trends are constantly evolving. Understanding where consumer preferences are headed often requires looking months or even years ahead. 

Interprint's team shared how trend forecasting plays a critical role in product development, helping manufacturers stay aligned with emerging design preferences and ensuring new visuals remain relevant when they ultimately reach the market. 

It's a reminder that some of the industry's most important innovations happen long before a product ever reaches a showroom floor. 

Celebrating the Expertise Behind the Industry 

At NALFA, one of our goals is to highlight the people, companies, and processes that make laminate flooring possible. 

While standards, performance, and certification remain at the core of NALFA's mission, the industry's success is also built on the expertise found throughout the supply chain. Interprint's work demonstrates how creativity, technology, and craftsmanship come together to create the visuals that define today's laminate products. 

The result is more than a decorative surface. It's the combination of inspiration, precision, and innovation that helps transform an idea into a floor consumers will choose for their homes. 

A special thank you to Dave, Nimesh, and the entire Interprint team for welcoming NALFA to their Pittsfield facility and sharing a closer look at their work. We are excited to officially welcome Interprint to the NALFA community and look forward to working together to support and advance the laminate flooring industry.  

To learn more about Interprint, visit here.