We’ll answer your questions about the resurgence in print marketing.

Has the rebirth of print marketing begun?

With so many digital marketing options available to your business, from social media to blogs and WordPress websites, you may be forgiven for overlooking traditional print marketing. However, the online world has become saturated with 11.1 million .co.uk websites, and 60 million business pages on Facebook alone. Therefore, finding ways to be seen by customers matters.

This has prompted many brands, ranging from startups and SMEs to international companies, to think beyond the digital box. With print marketing, many have returned to investing in traditional print marketing materials, alongside digital channels, to cut through the noise.

Join us as we navigate the reemergence of print marketing, exploring its history, applications and advantages alongside some surprising statistics.

A brief history of the importance of printing

The invention of the printing press in the Renaissance was revolutionary. It had a positive impact on increasing literacy across Europe in the decades after its creation.

Centuries later, the dawn of print advertising at the start of the 1900s saw the inclusion of marketing copy and images geared to attract an ever-increasing number of consumers. During the second half of the 20th Century, iconic ad campaigns from household brands including Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s claimed their place in modern life through their marketing efforts.

These methods faced competition when home computers and the internet arrived. Naturally, businesses sought low and no-cost marketing channels such as websites. Only a few years after this, company blogs and social networks like Facebook and Instagram allowed forward-thinking brands to reduce their marketing spend and tap into a global audience.

Is print marketing in decline?

While printed magazine and newspaper readership is in decline, the title of a Forbes online article Print is Dead? Not so Fast, urges any print marketing critic to think again.

The term ‘Digital Fatigue’ and its effect on our work and personal relationships have forced marketers to consider customers’ perspectives. Print marketing does not require screen time and seems nostalgic to many.

Figures published on the Finances Online website raise two interesting points. Firstly, in 2017, 92% of 18-23 year-olds believed that it was easier to read print than digital content. Could this be a hint of where future marketing trends will gravitate? Secondly, it notes that almost 80% of consumers follow up on direct printed advertisements, unlike the 45% who saw electronic ads.

Discussing print marketing, Print & Promo Marketing reveals that 45% of distributors saw more sales in 2024, with 35% maintaining steady business. These insights reveal that print marketing is anything but dead.

The future’s bright for printed marketing materials

The healthy survival of printed marketing materials signals that companies are embracing the old ways. However, rather than abandon digital technology altogether, many savvy businesses are combining the two.

Here are 5 ways in which print marketing is evolving according to the KEP Print Group:

• The industry has become more sustainable with recycled paper and eco-friendly inks
• Personalised printing to target different demographics and locations
• Business cards and other printed assets are utilising tactile finishes
• CRM and sales records are being used to influence the layout and content
• Printed materials are using QR codes to steer customers to websites and sales pages.

With thefingerprint, you do not have to choose between offering physical and digital brochures. We can create your business brochures in both formats for a wider reach and customer convenience.

What types of printed marketing materials work well today?

Consider music and photos for a moment. The world has seen a seismic shift towards digital ownership and storage. No longer do we send letters outside of business when an instant email will suffice. It suits our fast-paced working lives.

But having a tangible resource to hand over to customers is second to none for delivering the personal touch. Some examples of effective marketing materials in printed form include:

• Brochures
• Fold outs
• Flyers
• Business cards
• Postcards.

With a wealth of design and technical expertise, we can supply pixel-perfect designs for your printed marketing materials. This can complement your current brand or be part of a branding package. View our latest projects to see real-life design examples that our clients have loved distributing to their customers.

The advantages of print marketing

There are many benefits of print marketing. For example, they continue to work because they are tangible. They have a perceived monetary value. They can be sent to customers’ homes or business premises to communicate marketing messages beyond a screen.

Another advantage of print marketing is its durability. Lasting for many years, key decision makers and gatekeepers can notice print marketing materials weeks (if not months) after receiving them. When kept in an office, they provide a prompt to reach out. This makes print marketing a worthy return on your investment. Compare this to the short lifespan of a social media post on your customers’ feeds.

But most importantly, print marketing can outperform digital marketing methods. CBR Digital notes how studies saw an 80-90% open rate for direct mail, much higher than emails, which yield just 20-30%.

Grow your business with print marketing

Marketing strategies continue to embrace printed marketing materials given the ROI. Why not join the evolution?

If you are seeking professional designs in print and digital formats, we recommend visiting our Graphic Design Services page to learn more. Alternatively, call 07740 348521 or contact us for a no-obligation discussion of your options.

 

If you found this helpful, then you should also read these articles: Why a brand is important and why it’s not just a logo, Advertising – where to and why?, and When businesses should let designers lead.