The Resurgence of Print: Why Tangibility Matters in a Digital Age

There’s a shift happening in marketing right now – it’s not loud, it’s not trending, but it is real.

People are tired of being chased around the internet by ads. Social media platforms are feeling increasingly icky. Their reach is down. The trust is gone. And brands are quietly starting to ask – where else can we go?

As luck would have it, at NEXUScpp we know exactly where business can go – to print.

Print vs Digital – Why Print Still Matters

In a world obsessed with clicks and scrolls, print gives people something they can actually hold. That’s powerful! There’s a growing appreciation for the physical – a brochure on your desk, a postcard pinned to your fridge, a leaflet tucked into your bag and read at your own pace, not a platform’s.

Psychologically, we process physical information differently. Studies have shown that we absorb and retain more from print than digital. It slows us down – in a good way – helping us focus, which makes printed material feel more permanent, more considered, and – crucially – more trustworthy.

And in a digital landscape full of noise, trust matters more than ever.

Social Media Is a Product – And It’s Ageing

It’s easy to forget this, but social media platforms are products. Just like newspapers were. And products follow a curve. They rise, they peak, and eventually, they fall.

Newspapers started life as scandal sheets – a way to share gossip. Then someone realised they could sell ads, and the whole thing snowballed. Eventually, newspapers carried so many ads they became devalued, and people tuned out.

Sound familiar?

Social media started as a way for students to stay connected. Then it became a place for communities. Then the ads rolled in. People pushed back, creating locked, ad-free groups. And now we’re watching that cycle again. Reach is dropping, engagement is patchy, and audiences are tired.

That doesn’t mean social media is dead, but it does mean we need to be smart about how we use it.

Print Is a Safe Space for Brands

Unlike social media, print hasn’t changed lanes. It’s always been one of the four pillars of marketing: product, price, promotion, place. It sits squarely in the promotion space, doing its job without drama.

When it comes to print vs digital, print is a safe, focused channel. You don’t have to fight the algorithm. You’re not competing with reels, cat videos, or someone’s holiday snaps. You have the reader’s full attention – even if it’s just for a few seconds.

That kind of focus is hard to buy online. And it’s exactly why brands are rediscovering the power of print.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Digital Basket

We talk a lot at NEXUScpp about the importance of having a multi-channel marketing plan, because a well-balanced marketing mix gives you stability. The old 70/20/10 rule still holds:

• 70% of your activity should be tried-and-tested
• 20% should push the boundaries
• 10% should be experimental

If you’re putting 90% of your budget into digital ads, that’s a problem. You’re betting on a system that’s already showing cracks.

Print doesn’t just plug a gap – it opens a door. It gives your audience a different way to experience your brand. It brings tone, tactility, and trust back into the mix.

The Takeaway

You don’t need to abandon digital, but you do need to think bigger than the feed.

When you use print well – and we mean smart, beautiful, hardworking print – you create a moment. A pause. A spark. And for your audience, that moment might be the first real connection they’ve had with a brand in a while.

If that’s the kind of marketing you want to create, we’re here to help, so get in touch. Our Print Wisdom® takes you from concept to completion, with ideas that fit your brand and budget and stand out in the real world.