Do People Still Read Print? And 4 Other Questions You’ve Probably Wondered But Never Asked

Let’s be honest, print marketing has a bit of a reputation.

Not bad. Just… old-school. Or at least that’s what some people think.

But here’s the thing: while marketing trends come and go, print is still here. And if you’ve ever quietly wondered, "Do people even read this stuff anymore?"–you wouldn’t be the first.

We hear these questions all the time. From savvy marketers. From nonprofit directors. From small business owners who don’t want to waste a single dollar.

So we thought we’d answer them. Honestly. Without the jargon or pressure. Just real answers to real questions–maybe even one or two you’ve been hesitant to say out loud.

1. Do people still read printed brochures and mailers?

Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: They read them when they’re done well.

Here’s what we know: when a piece of print marketing is designed to be helpful, visual, and easy to absorb, it gets attention. Especially in a digital world that moves too fast to remember anything.

Print pauses the scroll. It’s physical, tactile, and distraction-free. And that’s exactly why readers engage with it differently.

It’s not about nostalgia. It’s about how the brain works when it’s holding something real.

2. Isn’t print mostly for older audiences?

We get this one a lot. And it’s partially true–but not in the way people think.

Yes, older audiences often have a stronger connection to print. But younger audiences trust it, too. Studies have shown that Millennials and Gen Z consider print more trustworthy and less invasive than digital ads.

And let’s be honest–if your competitors are ignoring print, that’s an opportunity to stand out.

Smart marketing isn’t about age. It’s about attention.

3. Can I even measure print’s performance?

Absolutely. Print doesn’t mean offline anymore.

You can track responses through:

• Custom landing pages or QR codes
• Discount codes exclusive to print
• Unique phone numbers or tracked URLs

What’s more important is knowing what role print plays in your overall campaign. Is it the opener? The closer? The brand-builder?

If you define the purpose early, measuring the impact becomes easy.

4. Isn’t print more expensive than digital?

It depends.

If you’re comparing a postcard to a single Instagram post, then yes, print has a higher per-piece cost. But compare that postcard to a digital ad campaign with production, targeting, and ongoing budget? Print suddenly looks very efficient.

Also, print tends to get kept. Revisited. Passed around.

When you consider lifespan and attention per dollar, print often outperforms its digital counterparts.

It’s not about cheap. It’s about effective.

5. Is print even relevant in a digital-first world?

Print isn’t just relevant. It’s a differentiator.

Think of it like this: everyone else is showing up in the inbox. You’re showing up in the mailbox, on the desk, in their hands.

Print makes your message feel intentional. Permanent. Worth someone’s full attention.

Used strategically, it doesn’t replace digital. It enhances it.

Still Have Questions? That’s the Point.

If you’ve been wondering whether print still matters, the truth is–it does. But only when it’s done with clarity, purpose, and the right partner helping you think it through.

We’re not here to push paper. We’re here to help you make confident decisions.

Got a question you’ve been sitting on? Ask us. We’ll give it to you straight.