Does Print Marketing Still Have a Place in Today’s World?

Is Print Marketing Extinct in the Modern Era?

Ever heard someone say, “Print is dead”?

Far from it – “Print marketing is dead” is a refrain you may have heard often, but the truth is quite the opposite. In a rapidly evolving digital world, print marketing stands resilient, demonstrating its unique attributes and value in the marketing landscape.

While it’s true that digital marketing has changed business strategies and consumer habits, print marketing’s significance cannot be understated. Incorporating print materials into your digital marketing campaign can elevate audience engagement, making your marketing efforts more effective. Print is still something top media advertising utilises.

Here are the top ten reasons print marketing continues to hold its own in today’s advertising scene:

The Tangibility Factor: Unlike digital advertising, print advertising materials offer a tactile experience. Their physicality creates a lasting impression on potential customers, boosting your brand recall and credibility.
Trust and Credibility: Print materials like brochures and business cards convey professionalism and reliability. Despite our digital era, many still view print as a more credible source of information, reinforcing the importance of print media.
Precise Targeting: Leveraging print marketing allows for strategic targeting of specific target audiences. By placing your print ads in relevant publications or locations, you can effectively reach local or niche markets.
Reduced Digital Clutter: As digital marketing soars, the competition in the online realm has skyrocketed. Here, print marketing offers a reprieve, allowing your brand to shine in a less saturated environment.
Enhanced Engagement: Print materials, with their high-quality design and alluring visuals, captivate the audience in a way that digital content may struggle with. Engaging multiple senses, print marketing provides an immersive experience for readers.
Durability: Unlike the fleeting nature of digital content, printed materials offer longevity. Their ability to be kept, referenced, and shared ensures your message endures with potential customers.
Complementary to Digital Marketing: Print marketing can work in tandem with digital marketing strategies to create a more comprehensive approach. Businesses can reinforce their brand message and amplify the overall effectiveness of their marketing campaigns using this blend.
Luxury and Personalization: Special printing technologies like gold/silver gloss and white ink can enhance the perceived value of your print marketing materials. These high-quality finishes create a sense of luxury that is hard to replicate on digital platforms.
Sustainability: With improvements in printing press technologies, paper has become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Choosing the right print quantity and recyclable materials is now standard practice in print marketing.
Integrated Marketing Strategy: A well-planned marketing strategy combines both print and digital channels for optimal results. Major news brands are prime examples of how effectively print can drive online traffic and increase social media presence.

Digital Tie-Ins: Bridging the Gap Between Print and Digital Media

Print media has been an essential part of advertising strategies for many years, but its evolution in the modern digital age has seen it embracing and incorporating digital elements. These innovations in print marketing, such as personalised URLs (PURLs) and QR codes, have resulted in more interactive and integrated marketing campaigns, bridging the gap between print and digital.

Personalised URLs (PURLs): Personalised URLs are a unique application of printing technologies that blend print and digital advertising seamlessly. In a print ad or on a business card, a PURL is included that directs the reader to a personalised landing page on the web. This landing page could contain a special offer, more details about a product or service, or a form to gather more data about the potential customer. This strategy has proved effective in boosting response rates by providing a more personal and engaging experience to the potential customer.
QR Codes: QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are another tool used in print marketing to enhance engagement and interactivity. When scanned with a smartphone, these codes can take a potential customer to a specific webpage, a promotional video, or a social media profile, increasing the avenues of engagement beyond the print ad itself. The applications of QR codes in print marketing are vast, from posters and print ads in top media advertising to brochures and business cards. In the post-Covid world, QR codes have seen a resurgence due to their contactless nature, making them a staple in modern print marketing strategies.

Moreover, these digital tie-ins offer a means of measuring the effectiveness of print marketing strategies. By tracking visits to PURLs or scans of QR codes, marketers can gauge the reach of their print materials, helping to justify spend on print media and refine future strategies.

In a world where digital and print often seem to compete, digital tie-ins present a harmonious merging of the two. It’s an exciting development in print marketing, embracing the strengths of digital advertising while maintaining the unique benefits of tangible, printed materials.

So, the next time you think, “Is print marketing dead?”, consider these innovative approaches that are proving print’s adaptability and relevance in the digital world. Whether you’re planning a marketing campaign or brainstorming marketing strategies, remembering the power of print marketing and its effective digital tie-ins could make a significant impact.

The post Does Print Marketing Still Have a Place in Today’s World? appeared first on VMGldn.

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Why startups can’t ignore print marketing in 2025 (even in a digital world)

By James Winzar • February 28, 2025

Startups that incorporate print into their strategy cut through digital noise, build trust faster, and create lasting brand impressions. And when done right, it’s more affordable and measurable than most founders think. Let’s break down exactly how print marketing solves some of the biggest pain points startups face today. 1. Struggling to get noticed? Print grabs attention like no other Every startup fights the same battle: getting seen in an oversaturated market. You’re pouring resources into, Google Ads, and social media, only to be drowned out by established competitors with bigger budgets. How print solves this Unlike digital ads, which can be scrolled past or blocked, a well-designed business card, flyer, or brochure demands attention. People physically engage with print in a way they don’t with digital- it’s tangible, it’s real, and it sticks around longer. Instead of relying solely on online ads, leave strategic print materials in coffee shops, co-working spaces, and industry events. When done right, this kind of guerrilla marketing creates real-world touchpoints with your audience. 2. Digital ad costs are skyrocketing & print is a smarter investment Google and Facebook ads are becoming increasingly expensive. The cost-per-click for competitive keywords has soared, meaning startups are paying more but seeing fewer conversions. How print solves this Print has a longer shelf life and requires just a one-time investment. A potential customer might ignore an email ad in seconds, but a high-quality printed piece sits on their desk for weeks. For example, a startup offering a subscription service could send beautifully designed postcards with a QR code linking to an exclusive first-month discount. That piece of print isn’t just an ad, it’s an invitation. ROI. Spending £500 on Google Ads might get you 100 website visits, but £500 on premium flyers or brochures could get your brand in front of over 1,000 potential customers in a far more memorable way. 3. Lack of trust? Print instantly elevates credibility Startups often struggle with trust, why should customers take a chance on an unknown brand? A website is great, but anyone can create a basic site. How print solves this Physical marketing materials signal legitimacy. A well-designed business card, branded letterhead, or premium packaging gives the impression that your business is established, credible, and worth paying attention to. A SaaS startup pitching investors will look far more professional with a printed pitch deck instead of just a digital slideshow. It demonstrates commitment and sets you apart. Always carry high-quality business cards. Not cheap, flimsy ones, the kind that feel premium. The subtle impact of a good texture, thick cardstock, or embossed logo makes a lasting impression. 4. No one reads your emails? Direct mail actually gets opened If you’re like most startups, you’re relying on email marketing. But here’s the brutal truth: most of your emails never get opened. Inboxes are overloaded, spam filters are aggressive, and cold emails rarely get a response. How print solves this Physical mail has an open rate of over 90 percent, compared to email’s average open rate of 20-30 percent. That’s a huge difference. In a world where digital messages are ignored, a beautifully designed direct mail piece stands out. A startup selling a high-end product could send a personalised, well-designed direct mail piece to select leads. Unlike a generic email, a physical invitation, mini brochure, or handwritten note demands attention. Combine print with digital for better results. A postcard with a QR code linking to a personalised video message makes a lasting impression. 5. Events and networking are still king. Print makes you unforgettable If you’re attending industry events, conferences, or networking meetups, you know the challenge: standing out among hundreds of other businesses. How print solves this Everyone collects business cards at events, but a creative, unexpected print piece makes you stick in their minds. Instead of just a business card, a creative agency could hand out mini portfolio booklets showcasing their best work. A fintech startup could provide pocket-sized industry trend reports that subtly promote their expertise. Think beyond business cards. A well-designed brochure, sticker, or branded notebook keeps your startup on people’s desks, not forgotten in a pile of emails. 6. Concerned about sustainability? Modern print is eco-friendly One hesitation startups have about print marketing is its environmental impact. But in 2025, sustainable printing is more accessible than ever. How print solves this • Recycled materials • Eco-friendly inks instead of chemical-heavy traditional inks • Print-on-demand to minimise waste A green tech startup could print brochures on 100 percent recycled paper with a call-to-action about sustainability, reinforcing their brand values. Promote your sustainability efforts. Include a note on your print materials about the eco-friendly processes used, customers appreciate brands that make responsible choices. Final thought: Print marketing isn’t old-school, it’s just smart If you’re a startup, you can’t afford to blend in. While every other new business is battling for digital ad space, print marketing offers a cost-effective, high-impact way to cut through the noise, build trust, and drive real-world engagement. Here’s your startup print playbook for 2025: • Premium business cards to build credibility • Creative print giveaways to make you unforgettable at events • Direct mail campaigns with personalised QR codes for higher engagement • Tactile brochures or mini lookbooks that customers actually keep • Eco-friendly printing options to reinforce sustainability values Ready to make your startup stand out? At VMG Fulham, London, we help startups turn print marketing into a growth engine. Whether you need high-quality business cards, creative direct mail, or sustainable print solutions, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today to explore print strategies that actually drive results.