Print advertising is outdated, right?
Wrong!
While the digital world moves fast, print has held its ground. And despite the QR codes and algo-centered tweaks, print advertising is still a key part of any marketing strategy, especially when done right.
But before you churn out the next batch of flyers or commit to a newspaper spread, you should know your options and understand the different types of print advertising.
We’re diving into the common types of print advertising. Stay glued because by the end of this, you’ll find one that supports your message, market, and money.
Table of Contents
Most Common Types of Print Advertising (And What They’re Good For)
Not all print pieces are created equal. Each type serves a different purpose, audience, and experience.
Flyers and Handouts
Affordable and high-volume, these are your on-the-ground print assets and are great for handing out at trade shows, local events, or even stuffing into bags. If you’re promoting a time-sensitive offer, grand opening, or fundraiser, flyers leave themselves to fast design, dirt-cheap printing, and mass distribution.
Brochures and Pamphlets
Do you need more real estate for service explanations or educational content? Brochures do the trick.
Trifold, bifold, or even z-fold, these are excellent for walk-in customers, mailed packets, or info kiosks. They also outshine other types of print advertising for service-based businesses (like spas, clinics, or real estate agents) because they explain and promote.
Postcards and Direct Mail
Direct mail should still be on your radar because it’s trackable and surprisingly effective when targeted well. With smart segmentation and a strong call to action, postcards and other types of print marketing for the post office can outperform many email blasts.
Here’s a bonus tip:
Add QR codes or personalized URLs to track conversions.
Magazine and Newspaper Ads
Extra! Extra!
If you’re going after a specific demographic like high-income homeowners or industry professionals, you can’t go wrong with magazines and newspapers. Regional publications are seen as more credible and lend themselves easily to focused distribution.
Posters and Signage
You’ve seen them in storefront windows, at event halls, or hanging at the local gym. Posters and signs are attention-grabbing and are great at keeping onlookers glued — especially when your visuals are clean and your message is punchy.
How To Choose the Right Types of Print Advertising Design Formats
The best print material or format isn’t always the flashiest.
Here’s how to pick the right piece for your campaign:
- Consider Your Audience: Think about who you’re trying to reach with all types of print advertising. Are they younger, digitally native, or more traditional and hands-on? Flyers might work for the local festival crowd, while a luxe brochure fits better in the hands of a high-end client.
- Choose Based on Budget: Sure, a few hundred simple postcards won’t break the bank. But go premium like textured stock, embossing, and spot UV, and the price easily goes up.
- What’s Your Goal?: Are you trying to generate leads, drive store traffic, build loyalty, or simply raise awareness? Each objective needs a different print approach. A loyalty postcard looks different from an event poster.
- Think of Distribution: Where will your piece live? In someone’s mailbox? A conference bag? On a community board? This affects not only size but design and material.
Yes, print advertising is still key to your strategy, but if you want to be seen in more than one place, you’ll need a hybrid approach that blends the timelessness of print and the reach of digital marketing.
A good hybrid marketing partner (like yours truly) can help you match the format to the function, so you’re not just printing pretty ads but effective ones.
A Note on Premium Types of Print Advertising
In some cases, the feel of your print says as much as the message.
Premium print is what sets your brand apart when first impressions matter. When going high-end, think:
- Embossed brochures
- Foil-stamped business cards
- Eco-luxe textures
- Custom packaging
Make Your Print Advertising Pieces Work Harder
All types of print advertising comes down to one thing:
It’s about telling your story the right way, to the right people, with the right materials. Whether you’re launching a campaign, refreshing your brand, or looking to make a stronger local impact, the format you choose matters.
Do you need help making sure yours pulls its weight?
Let’s talk and breathe some life into your next print ad project!