Print Advertising Still Works in our Digital Age
March 21, 2014
Tips on what to do and what not to do when creating a print ad
With digital media constantly consuming us through social media, email
advertisements, mobile phone apps, Internet ads, re-marketing campaigns
and so much more it could be easy to cut print advertising from your
marketing budget because you’re told it is ineffective. After all,
everyone is always on his or her mobile devices, right?
Actually you might be surprised once you start researching it. A number
of studies show people react differently to print media than they do to
digital media. In the 2008 study published by the Journal of Research in
Reading, shows that reading ads online isn’t as effective or rewarding
as their printed counterpart.
Multimedia features of ads and physical manipulation of ads tend to
distract the reader from the focus of what they are reading and could
leave little room for imagination to come into play. The result is that
readers do not fully absorb digital media in the way they absorb print
media information.
Print advertising is fully controlled by the reader. He or she decides
how long to stay on each page and when to move away. So to fully
maximize your users experience here are a few things you should do and a
few things you should not do when working on a print ad.
DO
- Make sure you are very clear about what you are selling. Use words or images to ensure you don’t leave people in the dark.
- Use simple, clear contact information, which is easy to remember.
- Make sure your logo is in the path of the reader’s eye, a reader’s eye moves in a Z pattern across the page.
- Work with someone with design experience when designing your ad. Not only is skill necessary to make the ad look right, but your ad must compete with the other ads favorably in the publication.
- Prepare your ad ahead of time, if you can, so you can put it away for a few days and then revisit the ad with a new perspective. This will allow you time for any revisions if needed.
- Confuse the reader and assume your design is funny or clever, ask for second opinions to see if other people understand.
- Clutter your ad with multiple images, text, font styles and an abundance of information.
- Forget to have a clear call to action so the reader knows what to do next.
- Allow your contact information to be obscured in anyway by a design element. An amazing design is useless if the readers do not know how you get your product or service.
- Ask your ad to do too much.
Dimension You Can Feel.
Why a simple watercolor book outperformed the usual promo items and what that says about today’s audiences.
One of my favorite parts of what we do at Behind Your Design is taking an idea and turning it into something completely custom. For Pure Barre in Grand Blanc, we had the opportunity to design silky custom pajama pants for their instructors. We started with a custom pattern created in Adobe Illustrator, tailored specifically to reflect their brand. From there, we applied the design to a digital mockup and brought it to life in production. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a design go from a computer screen to a finished product and even better, seeing a team proudly wearing something made just for them. Custom pajama pants are just one example of the creative, outside-the-box branded apparel we can produce. If you’re looking for something different, memorable, and fully customized for your team or event, we’d love to design something just for you. Because custom hits different.
Are you looking for a creative, eco-friendly way to connect with clients, customers, or friends? Custom seed gifts are the perfect solution. They are memorable, sustainable, and by the time Earth Day arrives on April 22, your gift will already be growing.
Canvas totes are having a moment. Thanks to Trader Joe's, what started as a simple grocery bagsare now widely recognized as stylish, everyday accessories that businesses are using to increase brand visibility. As Forbes notes, Trader Joe’s tote bags have become “an unlikely status symbol,” driven by scarcity, cultural cachet, and social signaling. Outside the U.S., owning one suggests access, travel, and a certain worldview, proving that “the object accrues value through scarcity.” That same psychology makes these bags especially effective as promotional products. Why we are paying attention and your brand should too: Canvas tote bags tap into perceived exclusivity Limited-feeling, small-format canvas totes come across as intentional and collectible, creating perceived value without a luxury price tag. Canvas totes act as social signals, not just swag A well-designed tote aligns your brand with style and lifestyle, not giveaways people forget at the bottom of a drawer. Their size encourages daily use Perfect for phones, wallets, keys, and small essentials, mini totes are easy to grab for errands, lunch runs, events, or travel. Canvas totes feel premium and practical Durable canvas, reinforced bases, sturdy handles, front stash pockets, and modern color options give these bags a retail-quality look. They align with modern brand values Reusable, PVC-free, and built to last, canvas totes naturally support sustainability and thoughtful branding. Mini canvas totes blend trend-driven psychology with everyday function. They give brands a stylish, affordable way to stay visible wherever life happens. At Behind Your Design , we believe the best promotional products are the ones people actually want to use. Mini canvas totes check every box: on-trend, functional, and easy to customize in a way that feels intentional, not overbranded. Whether you’re planning an event, creating client gifts, or building branded merchandise, we help you turn a simple bag into a lasting brand impression that shows up in everyday life.
Umbrellas may not be the first item that comes to mind for promotions, but they deliver impressive value when it comes to visibility, usefulness, and longevity. More than just rain gear, umbrellas offer year-round protection and everyday practicality, making them a promotional item people actually keep and use. Why umbrellas work as promotional items: Year-round usefulness – Provide rain coverage and help block harmful UV rays, adding a health-conscious benefit. High brand visibility – Large canopies create prime space for logos and messaging that can be seen from a distance. Repeated exposure – Stored in cars, offices, and bags, umbrellas are reused often, extending brand impressions. Wide audience appeal – Practical for all ages and lifestyles, making them ideal for diverse audiences. Long lifespan – Quality umbrellas can last for years, continuing to promote your brand long after distribution. Strong return on investment – Durable, useful items outperform smaller or disposable promotional products. Whether you go traditional or try something a little more fun, umbrellas remain a smart way to keep your brand visible rain or shine.