5 Statistics About Print Collateral Marketers Should Know

In today’s digital-first world, it’s easy to overlook the power of print. Yet research shows that printed materials leave lasting impressions, build trust, and boost engagement. Whether you’re pitching a campaign to your team or planning your next marketing mix, these five statistics prove that print still matters.

What Is Print Collateral?

Print collateral, or print marketing, is any printed communication material that is used to promote products or services. This includes brochures, flyers, direct mail, and SWAG. Print marketing is a powerful tool for establishing brand identity and awareness. It has an important role in delighting and engaging your audience and can reach them in ways that online content can’t. 

As a marketer, you might already know the importance that both online and offline content has to play in your marketing efforts, and you probably plan on using both in your next campaign. However, as a marketer, you also have to justify your plan and budget to other stakeholders or teams who might not have the same appreciation you have for the power of engaging audiences in all verticals. As you prepare for your next budget meeting, you might need to back up your choice to use both channels with cold, hard statistics. To help you, we’ve gathered five different statistics to keep in your back pocket for the next time you need to justify print collateral in your marketing mix.

5 Statistics for Using Print Collateral in Your Marketing Plan 

1. Printed Marketing Materials Leave a Longer Impact

Key takeaway: Consumers remember and emotionally connect with print more than digital.

A neuromarketing study conducted by the U.S. Postal Service OIG and Temple University found that while digital ads are processed faster, physical ads leave a stronger emotional impression and are remembered longer. Even a week after seeing a printed ad, viewers had a more impactful memory of it compared to digital content.

Why it matters: Print may take slightly longer to capture attention, but its effect lingers—helping your brand stay top-of-mind.

2. 82% of Consumers Trust Print Ads

Key takeaway: Print builds credibility and trust.

Consumers are more likely to trust a product or service advertised in print than online. Research shows that 82% of people trust print ads when making purchasing decisions. This makes print an invaluable tool for building brand credibility.

3. Consumers are 70% More Likely to Remember Print Ads

Key takeaway: Print drives long-term recall.

With digital overload, people have become skilled at ignoring online ads. Neuroscientists found that viewers are 70% more likely to recall your brand after seeing it in a print ad compared to digital ads. Investing in well-designed print collateral ensures your message sticks.

4. Direct Mail Boasts a 90% Open Rate

Key takeaway: Print gets seen, unlike most email campaigns.

A recent study showed that direct mail has an open rate of nearly 90%, far surpassing email marketing’s average of 23%. Additionally, about 42% of recipients read or scan all mailers they receive, proving that print reaches and engages audiences effectively.

5. Omnichannel Campaigns Increase Efficacy by 400%

Key takeaway: Combining print and digital multiplies results.

Studies reveal that campaigns integrating both print and digital channels can increase online campaign efficacy by up to 400%. Adding print to a digital strategy amplifies reach, engagement, and ROI, showing that print isn’t just relevant; it’s essential.

Next Steps: Optimize Your Print Strategy

Before you start printing in-house, consider streamlining your process:

• Audit your existing print assets.
• Identify opportunities for direct mail or brochures in upcoming campaigns.
• Partner with a reliable print provider for professional-quality results, shipping, and distribution.

By strategically combining print and digital, you’ll maximize your marketing impact and ensure your message resonates across channels.

As part of your game plan, you should reevaluate your printing capabilities and find a tool that offers easy-to-use online printing services, including the shipping and distribution of your marketing collateral. Reach out to Mimeo, a national leader in on-demand printing, to learn more about how you can improve your print marketing game in the next quarter.

Print marketing still delivers. It drives memory, trust, and engagement while boosting the effectiveness of digital campaigns. Use these statistics to make your case, and leave a lasting impression on both your audience and your stakeholders.