07/08/20

Print Is Most Certainly Not Dead

Although it may seem like a cheaper option to go online, designing for print is actually more affordable, more sustainable and more effective than you might think – even in 2020.

With a new ‘switching off” culture growing, it’s now more important than ever for businesses to ensure they’re still able to reach their customers without the aid of the online world.

Below we’ll be looking at where print is generally used, how popular print really is in the UK and the benefits of using print over online advertising as a business.

Where is Print Commonly Used?

Printed materials can come in a range of forms. This can be anything from a fairly standard one-sided business card all the way to a gigantic billboard banner in the city.

When you think of ‘print’, many will think of flyers and brochures more than any. But print spans far more than materials often handed out or posted through your front door.

Retailers often use a large number of printed materials in-store, without you even noticing. Print is used to create point of sale materials (such as purpose-built promotion stands).

It’s also used to create posters for windows, flyers for countertop offers or even hanging banners to display department/aisle names. Next time you go into a shop, see it for yourself.

How Popular Are Printed Materials?

As we touched on above, printed materials cover anything promotional that needs to be printed. It’s not just paper, it’s cardboard, metals, woods and stickers too.

Most common are actually the printed materials in your own home. Boxes for cereal, labels for tin cans and stickers for milk bottles are all forms of printed materials. We are surrounded by it, without even realising it.

The UK is the 5th largest producer of printed products in the world, with a turnover of over £14 billion and growing. The most popular type of printed material is advertising literature.

When all materials are taken into account, print is broken down thusly:

  • 29% is advertising literature, business stationery, event programmes, tickets etc.
  • 23% is newspapers, magazines, books, brochures etc.
  • 19% is printed packaging (cartons and labels etc).
  • 14% is printing onto textiles, plastic, glass, metal, wood & ceramics etc.
  • 15% is classed as ‘other’ (including security printing).

The Benefits to Printed Materials Over Online

In recent years, there has been an outcry for more sustainable products and packaging. Thankfully, the UK uses mostly paper-based materials from European trees, which are both sustainable and recyclable. Over 70% of all paper is recycled in the UK.

It’s a common myth that forests are shrinking due to print. European forests are actually growing by over 1,500 football pitches every day, partly thanks to the industry. The print industry in the UK also uses over 50% of recycled materials to create new ones.

One key benefit is the impact print has on the economy. Printed matter contributes over £700 million to the UK’s balance of trade annually. It also creates over 100,000 jobs from over 8,000 businesses across the UK (which all then contribute to the economy through taxes).

It may also surprise you to know that newspaper ads are viewed 2.5 times longer than the

average digital ad. Even 21% of all materials posted through your front door result in a commercial based action. It has one of the highest returns on investment too, especially for retail, automotive and financial services.

Why You Should Invest More in Print

As we’ve already seen above, the print industry is growing every year and is becoming ever increasingly important for consumers who wish to avoid their electronics and ‘switch off’.

We have also seen that promotional materials that are printed far outperform their digital counterparts, with significantly higher ROI. It also helps the economy without impacting on sustainability.

If you need help in creating your very own design for print, do not hesitate to get in touch. We have decades of experience in the print design industry, with sustainability at the forefront of everything we do.

We can help to create anything, from a humble flyer to a full billboard. Our print design services cover any printed material, including exhibition stands and product packaging. Get in touch to find out more about what we can offer you and your business.