Marketers often ask: “Does print really stand out anymore?”
The science says…ABSOLUTELY!
🧠 Color grabs attention faster than almost any other visual cue.
Studies in visual cognition show that our brains detect color differences pre-attentively…meaning before we consciously decide where to look. Reds, yellows, and bold contrasts can literally make your message “pop out” from its surroundings in milliseconds.
💡 Shine and gloss add another layer of attraction.
Research on “specular reflection” and gloss perception shows that people are naturally drawn to shiny or reflective surfaces. Glossy finishes create depth and contrast that signal quality, luxury, and importance.
At Ultra Graphics, we see this every day in the results of our print campaigns:
*Gloss coating draws the eye on packaging and signage.
*Bright color contrasts lift direct mail response rates.
*Combining color and gloss strategically can increase engagement by up to 30% compared to flat, neutral designs.
✨ Print isn’t just seen…it’s experienced.
People don’t just look at print. They hold it, feel it, turn it over. That physical interaction creates longer memory and higher trust. Outcomes that digital ads struggle to match.
📊 Recent studies show:
Direct mail response rates can be 5–9x higher than digital ads.
People spend longer engaging with printed materials and are more likely to take action afterward.
When print and digital are combined (adding a QR code to a targeted postcard campaign) overall ROI can increase by 30–50%.
Print drives online traffic!
So next time you design a marketing campaign, remember:
Print isn’t old-school…it’s neuroscience in action.