Between shifting delivery models, earlier price movements, and some surprising swings in customer behaviour, it’s been a year where print has had to work harder and smarter. Yet, interestingly, in many places it outperformed expectation – especially where strategy and production talked to each other instead of working in silos.
This is why we recommend taking the time to do a Print Wisdom® year-end review. It helps separate the noise from the insights, so your Q1 2026 planning isn’t based on instinct or habit, but on what really worked.
Let’s walk through the patterns that stood out.
Formats that earned attention (and kept it)
Shorter, curated catalogues came into their own this year. Not everything needs to be 40-pages to be effective – sometimes five pages, well-designed, land better.
Postcards made a strong comeback too, especially for loyalty-driven touchpoints.
And door-drops performed solidly in community-based campaigns where local relevance mattered.
Finishes that supported the message, not overshadowed it
Soft-touch lamination and metallic accents weren’t used as “extras” – they were used with intention. When applied carefully, they added just enough tactility to lift a message without bumping the format into a pricier band.
Sustainable materials that resonated quietly but powerfully
Recycled and FSC-certified stocks weren’t treated as statements this year – they simply became part of the brand experience. Customers noticed the care, even when it wasn’t shouted about.
Delivery changes that required new habits
Royal Mail’s updated service model reshaped mailing timelines. Anyone who relied on the “old rhythm” found themselves adjusting quickly, and often mid-campaign.
Price movements that crept in earlier
A shift in costs mid-year meant some formats needed rethinking. Small production tweaks often made the difference between staying on budget and overshooting.
Seasonal periods with tighter margins
Christmas arrived faster – or at least, the deadlines did. There was far less room for late creative shifts or last-minute production requests.
All of this is exactly why a Print Wisdom® year-end review is useful: it allows you to see patterns clearly, without the stress that clouds judgment during peak activity.
Strategy with more breathing room
This year reaffirmed something we’ve always known: the earlier a campaign is mapped, the stronger the results. Not because you rush, but because you make decisions with time to think.
Concept work that balances impact with practicality
Some of the best-performing formats this year weren’t the most elaborate. They were the ones where concept and purpose aligned neatly – a thoughtful fold, a premium touch, or a more compact trim.
Production insight that protected budgets
Paper choices, finish compatibility, machinability – the details that aren’t glamorous, but absolutely shape outcomes. The teams who leaned into production knowledge made better creative decisions.
Delivery treated as a strategic step, not an administrative one
The campaigns that landed smoothly were the ones planned around delivery realities, not squeezed into them.
This is, at its heart, the value of a well-rounded Print Wisdom® year-end review: it keeps your creative ambition aligned with how print actually moves through the real world.
Reactivation and welcome-back campaigns
January is an ideal moment for gentle re-engagement – postcards, light-touch brochures, and personalised prompts all land well after the festive noise has faded.
New Year messaging that supports fresh starts
For brands working in lifestyle, wellbeing, learning or organisation, January print has huge potential. Customers are open-minded; they want ideas that help them reset.
B2B appointment-setting mailers
Still one of the strongest ways to start conversations. A tactile, well-crafted piece often earns attention in a way an email simply doesn’t.
The theme for Q1 isn’t volume – it’s clarity. Start the year with campaigns that feel intentional, not rushed.
2025 brought challenges, but it also showed us where print remains strong: in its ability to cut through noise, create connection, and support campaigns with a physical presence digital channels simply can’t replicate.
If you’d like support shaping your Q1 print plans or want to look back at 2025 with a sharper focus, we’d be glad to help so get in touch. Our Print Wisdom® is here to give structure, confidence and calm to the year ahead.
Gill Robinson
11th December 2025
by PAGE