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.
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Some promotional products are practical. Some are useful. And some simply make the whole event more fun. Foldable cowboy hats fall into that last category. They bring instant energy to an event and create a shared moment people actually participate in. Whether you're hosting a company picnic, sponsoring a festival, organizing a golf outing, or planning a community celebration, foldable cowboy hats are an easy way to add personality and interaction right away. A Giveaway That Sets the Tone Foldable cowboy hats are lightweight, packable, and made for events where people are moving around and having fun. They fold into a compact pouch, making them easy to distribute and easy for guests to keep. Once opened, they pop right into shape and become part of the experience almost immediately. Perfect for Summer Events Foldable cowboy hats fit right in at: Company picnics County fairs Music festivals Rodeos Golf outings Customer appreciation events Campgrounds and outdoor recreation School events Community festivals Beach and lake events They are fun to wear, easy to carry, and naturally encourage participation and photos. A Simple Way to Add More Energy One of the best parts is how quickly they change the feel of an event. People put them on right away, start interacting more, and suddenly the environment feels more relaxed and engaging. It’s a small touch that creates a shared experience without adding complexity to your event planning.
Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of year for schools, community organizations, and family-focused businesses. Open houses, orientations, festivals, and school supply giveaways all provide opportunities to connect with local families. While everyone else is handing out another pencil or notebook, consider giving them something they'll actually enjoy using: a coloring book. Coloring books are interactive, memorable, and offer a fun way to keep your brand in front of families. Better yet, there are two ways to make them work for your organization. Branded vs. Custom Coloring Books Branded Coloring Books A branded coloring book starts with a professionally designed, ready-to-print book. Your logo, business name, and contact information are added to the cover, creating an affordable giveaway that's quick to produce and easy to distribute. Branded coloring books are a great fit for school open houses, community festivals, health fairs, pediatric and dental offices, libraries, parks and recreation departments, banks, credit unions, and other family-focused events. Custom Coloring Books A custom coloring book is created specifically for your organization. Instead of placing your logo on an existing design, every page features original artwork and content that reflects your business, mission, or message. You can include your mascot, products or services, local landmarks, educational topics, safety tips, puzzles, activities, or just-for-fun pages. Whether you're introducing students to a new school, teaching healthy habits, celebrating your community, or explaining what your business does, a custom coloring book tells your story in a creative and engaging way. Give Families Something They'll Remember Back-to-school season is the perfect time to think beyond the standard promotional products. Whether you're looking for a branded coloring book featuring your logo or a completely custom coloring book with original illustrations and content, Behind Your Design can help you create something families will be excited to take home. Sometimes the best promotional products aren't the ones everyone expects. They're the ones everyone remembers.
When Superior Lawn & Landscape completed its new facility, they wanted an event that felt as professional and polished as the company they’ve built. Behind Your Design partnered with their team to bring that vision to life, creating an experience where every detail reinforced their brand. From the moment guests arrived, the Superior Lawn & Landscape brand was present. We managed signage, catering, beverages, entertainment, photography, and overall layout, along with rental coordination to create a cohesive, functional space. We also created branded giveaways and promotional items, including aluminum cups, koozies, journals, chapstick, bug spray, sunglasses, and lots more. Door prizes and a raffle featuring company merchandise added excitement and gave guests keepsakes from the day. The biggest visual impact came from something simple: the custom Hawaiian shirts. Seeing the team and staff in coordinated branded apparel instantly created unity. It transformed individuals into one team with one identity and reinforced the company’s personality in a way traditional marketing materials can’t. That’s the power of branded apparel.
Some projects are about creating great branding. Others are about helping bring a piece of community history back to life. This spring, Behind Your Design had the privilege of supporting the return of the Flint Soap Box Derby to Cronin Derby Downs, the original home of the Flint Soap Box Derby, where racing first began in 1969. On May 30, 2026, the newly restored track welcomed racers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters back to the hill for the inaugural race at its historic location. It was a day filled with excitement, nostalgia, and community pride, but the impact of the Soap Box Derby extends far beyond a single race day.
When it comes to creating a polished, professional space, the details matter. One of the most effective and affordable ways to elevate your workplace is with custom vinyl lettering for walls, windows, and other smooth surfaces. Whether you’re branding a storefront, organizing an office, or adding clarity to a facility, vinyl lettering helps turn everyday spaces into intentional brand experiences.