Legend has it that in 1897, Samuel Clemens—better known as Mark Twain—was on a lengthy, worldwide speaking tour when rumors that he was gravely ill began to spread back home to the United States. As is often the case with rumors, this one snowballed until his obituary was eventually printed by a major American newspaper. When asked about this by a London newsman, Twain responded, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” We share this anecdote because the same could be said about print marketing.
Sure, the impact of online advertising is undeniable. With more than 6 billion people worldwide online, businesses have unprecedented access to potential customers. It is no surprise, then, that U.S. internet ad revenue reached $258.6 billion in 2024 and has only climbed since. That said, print is still alive and well. The direct mail advertising market alone was projected to reach $69.4 billion in 2025, per the U.S. Postal Service. And according to the Association of National Advertisers, personalized direct mail yields response rates of 12% to 15%.
Basically, print has earned physical space in your customer’s world. Far from dead, print is evolving to meet the wants and needs of businesses and consumers worldwide—and for a number of very good reasons.
7 Reasons Why Print Marketing Is Alive and Well
In today’s market, the most successful small businesses will not overlook print marketing. Why? Because print marketing seals the relationship, drives action, and keeps your shop top of mind long after the screen goes dark. If you are not currently using print marketing, it is time you considered it.
1. Digital overload
Several recent studies have shown that consumers are suffering from digital overload due to the sheer volume of digital content they are exposed to daily. For instance, did you know the average person receives roughly 121 business emails per day? Not all of those are marketing-related, but you can see the fatigue this causes, leading many emails to be deleted unread. On top of that, in-app and newsfeed advertising has become increasingly distracting, and consumers’ attention span is shrinking. It has almost become white noise for many people—even though it is right at their fingertips.
Meanwhile, holding a flyer, a branded pocket folder, or a take-away infographic is more personal, slows people down, and acts as a reminder. That tangible quality communicates your brand message and helps you stand out.
2. Reinforce your brand
In addition to getting your message in front of a wider audience, print marketing also helps increase brand awareness among prospects who may not be ready to make a purchase right now but may be at that point in the sales cycle later. In fact, many consumers go online to search for businesses they were initially exposed to through a flyer, a direct mail piece, or signage in their local area.
U.S. internet ad revenue reached $258.6 billion in 2024 and has only climbed since. That said, print is still alive and well. The direct mail advertising market alone was projected to reach $69.4 billion in 2025, per the U.S. Postal Service. And according to the Association of National Advertisers, personalized direct mail yields response rates of 12% to 15%.
3. A sensory experience
While digital devices are convenient, most consumers still enjoy the sensory experience of actually holding printed materials in their hands. Printed materials can have different textures and are not subject to the size limitations of a smartphone or computer screen. For instance, a well-designed menu insert, a loyalty card tucked into a to-go bag, or a postcard mailed to nearby neighborhoods are all things your customers can see, touch, and hold. Researchers recently found that print advertising is also more effective at evoking emotional responses, including a subconscious desire for the advertised product or service.
4. Less crowded marketing space
One striking statistic is that print marketing mail volume has decreased by roughly 40% in recent years, from 99 billion pieces to 59 billion. What this means is that today’s printed pieces face significantly less competition in the mailbox, as more companies shift their budgets almost entirely to digital platforms. So, instead of fighting for attention among endless online ads, pop-ups, and social media posts, print gives your brand room to stand out. When fewer businesses use print strategically, those that do often enjoy higher visibility and stronger recall. Just imagine the possibilities with these print marketing ideas:
- Personalized direct mail flyers, teasers, and invitations
- Branded loyalty cards
- Door hangers for nearby offices and apartments
- Stickers and decals
- Promotional products
5. Drives local action
A postcard mailed to nearby neighborhoods, signage placed in high-traffic areas, hang tag on the front door, or a leave-behind brochure handed out after a service call puts your brand directly in front of people who are most likely to visit your store or schedule an appointment. Unlike digital ads that may reach broad or unpredictable audiences, print materials can be geographically targeted, making them especially effective for restaurants, service providers, retailers, and locally owned businesses looking to drive immediate action.
6. Pairs well with other marketing tactics
Again, there are many marketing options out there to help you stand out. Truthfully, you need to take advantage of as many of them as possible. But never underestimate the power of printed collateral as an additional option in your marketing toolkit. Every aspect of your collateral can be customized to engage with your audience, increase brand recognition, and drive results.
7. Builds on existing credibility
There’s something to be said for the moment you personally hand a customer a brochure, magazine, flyer, or catalog. These items reinforce trust and credibility by showing that you took the time to prepare and invested in high-quality on-site takeaways.
Achieve Successful Print Marketing with Locally Owned Brumley Printing
While it is obvious that digital advertising is not going away, it is equally obvious that the same is true for print. The key for any successful advertiser is to strike the right balance to achieve the best possible ROI for their advertising dollars. Fortunately, when you choose Brumley Printing as your commercial printing provider, you can be assured of high quality and great value. Brumley Printing has been helping Fort Worth businesses with their printing and marketing needs for over 30 years.
Our team is committed to ensuring your next commercial printing job is a success—regardless of your printing specifications. We work with our customers to understand their unique ideas and needs. We ask the right questions and take pride in identifying potential obstacles in advance. This collaborative effort provides invaluable peace of mind every step of the way.
We provide quality services at competitive prices and offer unprecedented service and guidance to every client. To get started, call us at (817) 336-5551.
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