Print design is having a moment. In a world where everybody has become glued to screens, print has even more value than it did before. More businesses are investing in printed materials again – from brochures and magazines, to leaflets and posters. Why? Because print offers something that digital can’t – something physical, nostalgic and individual. Let’s dive into the reasons print design services are experiencing a genuine comeback.
You can touch it (and that matters)
Think about the last time you received a glossy leaflet in the mail, bought a quirky-looking postcard from a shop, or picked up a beautifully designed menu at a restaurant. That physical contact lingers in a way that no digital ad ever could. The paper stock, the embossing... even the finish – it adds up to an experience.
Brands know this. Luxury companies in particular rely on print design to create a sense of credibility within their market. A high-end watchmaker might send out a printed catalogue with thick, textured pages because it signals quality before you’ve even read a word. Fashion boutique packaging is always printed using luxury papers and materials for things like their boxes, bags and brand books. Event invitations are another great example. Receiving a physical invite to a launch party feels more special than just getting a calendar notification via your email client.
For a print design agency, this tangible factor is a key selling point. When people can hold, flip through, or even display something, it leaves an impression that lasts far beyond a fleeting banner ad. With a background in the print and publishing industry, we're proud to be an agency that knows the value of traditional print design, while still appreciating and embracing new digital trends that will come and go.
Real stories still live on paper
Remember the Argos catalogue? (Ah, the laminated book of dreams!) Then there was the IKEA catalogue – it was a great experience flipping through pages and imagining your living room transformed. Although both of these companies may have ceased printing in favour of digital formats, they've missed a trick in that printed publications have more longevity. While blogs and social media posts quickly scroll away in a feed, a printed brochure can live on a desk for months. Magazines sit on coffee tables in places like libraries, hair salons and cafés, and spark conversations. Printed brochures and leaflets are long-lasting materials. By investing in professional print design services, companies aren’t just making ads – they’re creating objects that become part of people’s daily spaces.
Nostalgia
Nostalgia is everywhere in culture right now. Retro fonts, mid-century furniture, bold 70s palettes and throwback logos are cropping up across branding and fashion. Print taps into this perfectly. Think about vinyl records (which have also been making a comeback over the 2020s) – people buy them not just for the sound, but for the tactile experience of holding the cover art and liner notes. In the same way, brands are leaning on print design services to spark a sense of familiarity. A brewery might choose vintage typography for its beer labels to evoke tradition. A coffee shop could use recycled paper and a typewriter-style font for its menus to create a cosy, timeless feel.
Nostalgia works because it makes us feel connected to times gone by. We usually feel most in-sync with some kind of old tech or style – whether it's cassette tapes of the 90s, or the oversized silhouettes of the 80s. Print hasn't died. Instead, the way it's used is evolving. Part of that evolution is using retro touches in a modern context.
Print can work alongside digital (not against it)
One of the biggest myths is that print and digital are in competition. In reality, the best campaigns use both. A printed flyer might include a QR code that takes you straight to an online shop, or a catalogue might direct readers to a website for more product options.
Retailers have seen success with this mix. In 2020, a Harvard Business Review–based field experiment studied a luxury e-commerce retailer sending print catalogues in addition to their regular email marketing. Customers who received both print catalogues and weekly emails had a 15 % lift in sales and a 27 % increase in product enquiries, compared to those receiving only emails. That’s because print grabs attention, and digital makes it easy to act immediately. Customers can leaf through them, fold corners, and then head online to order. The tactile spark of the print catalogue drives the digital purchase.
Print design is still around, every single day
From the coffee cups you drink from to the leaflets posted through your door, and even the local concert posters you see on lampposts – print advertising and design is everywhere. Then there's food packaging, business cards and show stands – all designed with care by someone. Consumers have been known to pick a product simply because the label caught their eye. Craft breweries, for instance, are famous for competing not just on taste, but on label design. A quirky illustration or bold pattern can make a beer or bottle of wine stand out on a crowded shelf.
Independent cafés still rely on printed loyalty cards to keep customers coming back. Local events still use posters to spread the word. These everyday items prove that print is not niche – it’s essential. A skilled print design agency helps make these “ordinary” items extraordinary.
Print still offers real value
When people see something printed, they often assign more weight to it. A company that invests in a printed annual report signals professionalism. A non-profit that sends a printed newsletter feels more trustworthy than one that only emails.
One clear example is in higher education. Universities often produce beautiful printed prospectuses and glossy brochures for prospective students. Even though all the information is online, families appreciate having a physical book to browse together. It feels more official and credible. For brands, investing in print design services sends this message of permanence and authenticity in a digital world where everything moves on to the next thing at breakneck speed.
Print can be made smarter
Modern print design is more adaptable and eco-friendly than ever. Brands can use recycled papers, vegetable-based inks and biodegradable finishes, while short-run printing allows small businesses to print just what they need, cutting down on waste. Variable printing lets brands personalise flyers or direct mail with a customer’s name or tailored offers.
Many food brands now print unique QR codes on each label that link to recipe ideas or nutritional information. A good print design agency can guide clients through these modern options. That means you get the creativity of traditional print with the innovation and ethics that today’s audiences expect.
Print offers a break from the screen
We’re all experiencing digital overload. Constant notifications, pop-ups and ads mean most online content blurs together. Print offers a breath of calm in an otherwise chaotic world. Think about flipping through a Sunday newspaper, leafing through a recipe book, or receiving a handwritten card in the post. These moments feel slower, calmer, and more intentional. For brands, offering that kind of breathing space really sets them apart. Well-designed print doesn’t compete with the noise of the online world. Instead, it creates its own quiet space.
The takeaway
Print is back – not as a rival to digital, but as its perfect partner. It’s trusted, nostalgic, physical and innovative. For businesses looking to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level, print design services are a smart and refreshing choice.
