Print Marketing Strategies and Examples of Print Marketing Materials for Small Businesses Many businesses engaging in nontraditional forms of marketing see print as new again. Here are all the reasons to rethink your print marketing strategy. By Brent Ervin-Eickhoff • Published on 13 July, 2015 • Updated on 27 July, 2026 • 5 min read • Direct Mail & Print Marketing Print marketing isn’t a relic of pre-digital advertising. It’s one of the most effective ways for businesses to cut through an oversaturated digital landscape and reach an audience that’s grown skilled at ignoring ads. Here are five reasons it deserves a spot back in your marketing strategy, whether you’re building a plan from scratch or reworking one that’s leaned too heavily on digital alone. On this page 1. Print Cuts Through Digital Noise 2. Print Costs Are More Predictable Than Digital Ads 3. Print Supports Long-Term Customer Retention 4. Custom, Branded Print Gives You a Competitive Edge 5. Print and Digital Work Better Together Which Print Marketing Materials Should You Use? Frequently Asked Questions This article breaks down why print still delivers results, how to use it well, and where it fits for marketing and sales enablement teams at B2B companies. 1. Print Cuts Through Digital Noise The average inbox is overflowing, but the mailbox isn’t. That imbalance works in print’s favor. A postcard, brochure, or catalog arrives without competing against dozens of other messages for the same few seconds of attention. Print also carries a credibility that digital ads often lack. Recipients tend to trust something they can physically hold more than a banner ad or sponsored post, simply because it feels more deliberate and less disposable. That trust translates directly into stronger response rates for the businesses that use it well. 2. Print Costs Are More Predictable Than Digital Ads Digital advertising runs on an auction. As more advertisers bid for the same keywords or audiences, costs climb, often without warning. Print pricing doesn’t work that way. A postcard or flyer costs roughly the same to produce and mail regardless of how many other businesses are running print campaigns that month. That stability makes print easier to budget for, especially for businesses planning a marketing calendar months in advance. You know your cost per piece going in, and it doesn’t shift because a competitor increased their ad spend. 3. Print Supports Long-Term Customer Retention Digital ads are built for the moment. Print is better suited to staying power. A newsletter, a seasonal postcard, or a direct mail coupon can sit on a counter or in a drawer for weeks, giving your business more chances to stay in front of a customer after the initial sale. Many businesses use this to their advantage by mailing a discount or thank-you note shortly after a first purchase. That single touchpoint can be the difference between a one-time buyer and a returning customer, and statistics on print collateral marketing back up how consistently direct mail drives repeat engagement. 4. Custom, Branded Print Gives You a Competitive Edge Generic marketing materials blend into the background. Custom print, using your logo, brand colors, and fonts, doesn’t. A well-designed brochure or business card signals that a business pays attention to detail, which shapes how a prospect perceives everything else about that business. Premium paper stock, finishing options, and a print-ready design file all contribute to that impression before a customer reads a single word of copy. If you’re not sure where to start, these tips for designing print marketing materials walk through how to make a piece stand out without overcomplicating production. 5. Print and Digital Work Better Together Rethinking print doesn’t mean abandoning digital. The two channels complement each other well. A printed postcard with a QR code can send a customer straight to a landing page, a promo code, or a product video, bridging a physical touchpoint with a digital action you can actually measure. This is why print should be in your marketing mix rather than treated as a replacement for digital spend. Businesses that combine both channels typically see stronger engagement than those relying on either one alone. Which Print Marketing Materials Should You Use? The right format depends on your goal, but a few stay reliable across industries: Flyers: Best for quick promotions, sales, or event announcements. Postcards: Well suited for special offers, invitations, or seasonal updates. Brochures: Useful for explaining a product or service in more detail. Business cards: Still one of the simplest ways to share contact information in person. Door hangers: Effective for reaching a specific neighborhood or local audience. Frequently Asked Questions Is print marketing still effective in a digital world? Yes. Print reaches audiences through a channel with far less competition than digital ads, and it consistently earns higher trust from recipients than online advertising. Why are print marketing costs more stable than digital ad costs? Print pricing isn’t set through an advertising auction, so it doesn’t rise as more businesses use it. Digital ad costs, by contrast, increase as more advertisers compete for the same audience. Can print marketing work alongside digital marketing? Yes, and it often performs best that way. Adding a QR code or personalized URL to a printed piece connects it directly to a digital action, giving you a physical touchpoint and a measurable result. What print marketing materials work best for small businesses? Flyers, postcards, brochures, business cards, and door hangers are the most common starting points, each suited to a different goal, from quick promotions to detailed product information. Key Takeaways Print reaches audiences through a less crowded channel and builds more trust than many digital ads. Print pricing stays stable, making it easier to budget for than auction-based digital advertising. Print supports long-term customer retention, not just first-time attention. Custom, branded print materials create a stronger impression than generic marketing collateral. Combining print with digital elements like QR codes gives you a measurable, connected campaign. Ready to put these strategies to work? Start your next print marketing campaign with Mimeo. Brent Ervin-Eickhoff Director of Marketing Brent Ervin-Eickhoff is a Chicago-based marketer with B2B and B2C experience spanning corporations, agencies, and non-profits, including five years of experience in print. From Volkswagen to the University of Chicago, his background is focused in crafting marketing campaigns that drive results. Previous Post Next Post
