7 Key Advantages Print Marketing has over Digital Marketing

estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Digital Marketing vs Traditional Print Marketing

Over the past 20 years or so, digital marketing has steadily become more prevalent than print marketing. The shift toward digital has been driven by the global increase in internet and smartphone usage, as well as the emergence of Google Ads, social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, email campaigns, search engine optimization (SEO), and content marketing.

Despite the trend toward digital marketing channels, many companies recognize that traditional print materials like brochures, flyers, catalogs, mailers, and postcards can still make a powerful impact, whether used exclusively or to supplement digital campaigns.

One reason print marketing has many businesses rediscovering its value is because more and more consumers are experiencing digital fatigue from the constant bombardment of online advertising. The relentless nature of many digital marketing campaigns has caused consumers to grow disinterested in them. As a result, the more promotional offers that appear on a consumer's laptop or cell phone screen the more likely these ads and emails will get tuned out.

Despite the prevalence of digital marketing, print marketing actually offers several key advantages that digital can't replicate. These advantages are why many companies still rely heavily on print marketing to give their brand a serious edge.

7 Advantages of Print Marketing [that Digital Marketing can't match]

1. Print Creates a Physical Connection

Unlike social media posts, promotional emails, or other forms of digital marketing that can vanish instantly with a scroll or a click, print materials exist in physical form. Real ink on real paper. As such, printed marketing pieces can be held, touched, and interacted with.

Also, because printing involves the sense of touch in addition to the sense of sight, it creates a physical connection with a company's brand and offerings. This multi-sensory encounter triggers the brain to embed a memory of the printed content in a way that pixels on a screen cannot match.

2. Print Conveys Trust and Credibility

Compared to digital marketing, print marketing is perceived by recipients as requiring more time and investment to design, produce, and distribute. This effort makes the company and its offerings appear more credible and legitimate. In turn, consumers tend to trust printed materials more than digital ads, especially when evaluating a company for the first time.

Along these same lines, print also suggests stability and professionalism - qualities that are especially important in industries like finance, legal, healthcare, education, home services, and luxury goods.

3. Print gets More Focused Attention

The screen of a computer or smartphone can be a busy place. For example, most people's inboxes get deluged with promotional emails all day, every day. So any given subject line can be easily overlooked as it competes for attention in an inbox crowded with a bunch of other emails.

On the other hand, how many printed marketing pieces do most people get delivered from the US postal service each day? Probably an average of 2 or 3 at best. So when a printed marketing piece shows up in your mailbox, it stands out because there is minimal competition for your attention. Hence, it gets picked up, held, and looked at.

On a related note, people tend to read content on printed materials more deliberately than they read content on electronic screens. This leads to better comprehension and retention of the offer being presented.

4. Print has a Longer Shelf Life

Unlike a marketing email or digital ad that can be easily deleted or scrolled past, print materials are less likely to be instantly discarded, especially if they have an appealing design or a valuable offer. It's not uncommon for printed marketing pieces to lie on a counter, desk, or coffee table for days, weeks, or even months. By having a longer shelf life and lingering about, printed pieces can repeatedly remind the recipient of a company's brand and offerings.

Some purchases - such as those that involve a high cost or lengthy commitment - require a longer period of consideration before making a decision. Common examples of purchases that benefit from the long shelf life of print materials include real estate, vehicles, appliances, elective surgery, luxury vacations, a college education, and home improvements.

5. Print Enhances Brand Recognition

Unlike digital marketing that can be very fleeting and easily forgotten, printed pieces create a much more memorable experience. A well-designed printed piece fosters stronger recognition and recall of a company's brand.

In addition, by using high-quality print materials a business can demonstrate to its clients and prospects that they care about the details. Premium paper stocks, thoughtful design elements, and finishing touches like foil stamping or embossing convey a sense of quality and professionalism that digital marketing cannot provide.

6. Print is Not Affected by Spam Filters or Ad Blockers

No matter how well-crafted a digital ad may be, it might never be seen by its intended audience. Ad blockers, spam filters, and Google algorithm changes can all pose challenging obstacles to a company's digital marketing efforts.

Regarding email campaigns, marketing emails can only legally be sent to recipients that have subscribed, are an existing customer, or have given verbal or written consent. On the other hand, print goes directly into the hands of its target audience without any roadblocks. For example, marketing pieces sent by direct mail can be delivered to every address in the US. When sent in bulk, the USPS will even discount the postage.

7. Print Generates a Stronger Emotional Response

In addition to the physical connection mentioned in point #1 above, research by the US Postal Service found that people have a stronger emotional reaction to print advertising than to digital advertising.

The study also determined that print marketing is more likely to stimulate interest and lead to purchase intent. Needless to say, this is the goal of every marketer.

A Final Thought

If your business relies solely on digital marketing, you may be missing out on opportunities to fully engage with your target audience. By integrating print into your marketing strategy, you gain a powerful tool that adds credibility, encourages interaction, and strengthens brand perception.

Color Vision can assist with all your Promotional Printing needs!

Established over 40 years ago, Color Vision continues to build on its strong reputation of offering quality printing at affordable prices.

So whether you are looking to print catalogs, brochures, flyers, or any other marketing pieces, Color Vision is your one-stop source for custom printing.

As a full-service printer, we have both offset and digital print capabilities. This allows us to assist with just about any type of printing need you may have.

If you would like a quote for an upcoming print project, use our easy Quote Request form to send us your specifications and we will be happy to email a custom quote to you.. Or, if you prefer to discuss your project by phone, we can be reached at 800-543-6299.

As always, we look forward to assisting with your printing needs!