When computers arrived on the scene, most of us were convinced we’d soon be orbs of light, zooming around in a virtual reality where paper was obsolete. Many aspects of our lives have become digitised, it’s true. Kindles, computer games, music streaming platforms and emails were all designed to replace their physical counterparts. But they haven’t. Instead, most of us use both. We like the convenience and instant results of the digital world, but we don’t love them. The smell of a new book or the crackle of our favourite record have gained a new kind of value that’s more than just nostalgia. In the end, having something tangible to hold in our hands and experience was way more important than we thought.
On this note, when did the word ‘scroll’ stop meaning paper and become synonymous with our social media addiction? Well, technically, the answer is 1971. But, being in the business of print, we’ve decided it’s time to reclaim it. That’s right. In the words of Pulp Fiction’s Marcellus Wallace, I’m about to get medieval on your a**. Because digital marketing is changing fast. Algorithms are increasingly tailoring our social media feeds based on what we’ve already interacted with. People are taking AI-generated search results as verbatim and turning to chatbots for information and advice. Powerful ad blockers are enabling consumers to completely avoid big bucks digital campaigns. In other words, you can no longer control what your audience sees online - and, to a certain extent, neither can they. So how on earth can you make sure your brand actually gets noticed?
Put something in front of them that they can’t scroll past.
Strategic print gives you a mainline that digital can’t replace. It allows you to put your message somewhere tangible, in a location you know your target audience will be. It can be useful rather than interruptive and annoying. And, perhaps most importantly, it can give your brand a physical presence in a world that’s become virtual. That’s not to say that digital marketing isn’t incredibly effective. It is. But if you can make the two work together, you’re going to hit every touchpoint a prospective customer needs to remember who you are and why they need you.
Make your print campaign stand out this season
Now that summer is officially over, we know that many of you are getting ready for a final quarter that’s jam-packed. From seasonal menus to trade shows and festive celebrations, the next three months are going to be busy and competitive. Planning a busy autumn programme? Getting your print booked in early means one less thing to worry about when the event date gets closer. Whether you’ve planned your campaigns and are ready to execute or you’re still in the depths of finalising a foolproof marketing strategy, here are some dates that never leave our autumn radar:
🎃 Halloween
From spooky family trails to themed club nights and horror shows, Halloween celebrations in the UK are getting more creative every year. Whether you’re curating an event or just trying to increase your visibility, consider taking the campaign offline by booking hand to hand flyer distribution at likeminded events or posters in locations your customers actually visit. Create special edition promotions or even branded giveaways. The trick (or treat) here is being intentional with your output. Printing 5,000 flyers and hoping for the best isn't necessarily strategic marketing. Most may end up in the recycling bin before they’ve even made an impression.
But putting 100 well-designed pieces of print directly into the hands of the right 100 people? That’s much more valuable. Use your digital campaign to create awareness, then use print to make the experience tangible.
🎆 Bonfire Night & New Year’s Eve
Fireworks events can be big business - but only if people know they're happening.
We can help put your event in front of local audiences with everything - from eye-catching out of home campaigns to lamp post wraps and Correx boards in commuter hotspots. Context is key.
A billboard or poster in the right place, at the right time, can reinforce a digital campaign by ensuring people see it in more than one environment. They might see your social media post at home, then spot your poster on the way to work. That repetition matters. And because print isn't competing with the rest of their social media feed, it can never be restricted by the algorithm.
🎄 Christmas
If you're an events organiser, attraction, venue or retailer, having a Christmas campaign has become the rule, rather than the exception. If you’re a smaller business or charity with an even smaller marketing budget, standing out from the crowd can feel impossible. But fear not! In a sea of soporific sleigh bells, thoughtful print can make the biggest impact.
Rather than sending hundreds or thousands of generic Christmas cards, consider creating something bespoke for a smaller, carefully selected segment of clients. Make it funny or personal - something they’ll actually want to keep. And if you have the time, hand-sign it.
In today’s world of automated emails, AI-generated content and increasingly impersonal digital communication, receiving something that clearly came from a real person can be surprisingly powerful. It can also be a more sustainable approach: fewer, better-targeted pieces of print rather than a mass mailing that isn't relevant to everyone on your database.
And Christmas doesn't have to mean cards. You name it, we can probably print on it. Calendars, desk pads, coasters, mugs, bouncy balls...which brings us to one of our favourite rules of promotional print:
Bigger isn’t always better…
A gigantic logo isn't always as memorable as you might think. It might even be off-putting. A beautifully designed desk pad that your ideal client actually wants to use every day is far more valuable to you and to them. Whether you know exactly what you want or you need to talk things through, our experienced and friendly in-house design team can work with you from concept all the way through to production and delivery.
📣 Trade Shows
Whatever your industry, there’s a good chance the autumn calendar includes a trade show, exhibition, conference or networking event. Trade shows are a brilliant opportunity to get creative with how you present your brand, so don’t leave your print and signage until the last minute.
Think pull-up banners, totems, brochures, business cards and branded stationery that visitors can use during the event itself. Rather than trying to fit as many logos in as possible, think about how you can make your stand useful, interesting and memorable. Good signage should be easy to understand from a distance and if your printed materials are well designed, they will continue to work after the show has finished.