I Still Love Print
One time, I was talking to a creative director, who, as skilled and talented in the field as he was, laughed at me when I mentioned that I liked print design. “Print is dead,” this individual proudly declared. “Everything is digital now.”
Sadly, this individual was wrong.
Are there many things in the world that have moved to the digital realm? Absolutely. It is true that we don’t tend to use a lot of paper for things any more. For example, I got interested in graphic design as a child when I encountered my church’s weekly bulletins. They were sheets of printer paper cut into half that listed all of the upcoming events for congregants to know about. Fast forward to 2025, where my church sends out an email blast and sends weekly text updates as well.
But not everything has gone in this direction. Last time I checked, people still go to the bookstore to buy physical copies of books. People still take brochures at hotels and give business cards at networking events. Companies still have printed billboards and posters to hang in their windows. A fancy furniture store I went to the other day had a printed catalog, and I proudly took a copy.
According to a blog post by designer Kristen Mann, print design isn’t dying, “but the landscape has changed.” Mann then goes on to list a variety of printed deliverables that still exist to this day, including packaging design.
Designers can’t simply shoo away print because it isn’t cool, doesn’t make a lot of money, and is just old or too complicated to deal with. What happens when a business needs a letterhead or a freshly designer professional document? This is where awareness has to click in. Designers are in the business of serving clients – and if a printed deliverable is the best way to solve them, then the designer must put their personal preferences to the side.
Because this is the case, there will always be a reason for print design. As the author of an opinion article in Graphic Design USA states, “There will always be a need for printing, no matter how far the digital world progresses.” Some things never completely go away, and print is just one of those things, unless one day, we no longer need packaging design (which is a future I can’t possibly imagine).
So, we cannot ignore print design. I love print, because print is tangible. You can hold paper and feel paper. And this is why print is making a resurgence amongst Gen Z individuals like myself – specifically, the print magazine.
According to an article republished by PrintPower, “There is a renewed appreciation for print as a medium, particularly among Generation Z and millennials. Much like the revival of vinyl records and other tactile experiences, younger generations are rediscovering the joy of physical media, appreciating the tangible connection and the sense of ownership that comes with holding a beautifully crafted magazine or catalogue.” That emotional connection isn’t something found on the fast-paced scrolling and posting of social media. Slow media, like the magazine and other facets print design, seem to be invoking a different response from digital design. And because of this, it’s experiencing a newfound revival in younger generations.
Ocra Communications believes print design is being seen almost as a sort of an idealistic symbol. “These are much different than the advertisement-filled lifestyle publications of the past,” writes Amanda Green in a blog post for the organization. “That kind of stuff is easy to find online. Today’s new and growing print magazines are luxury items.”
Wait… luxury? Magazines (at least, the gorgeously designed ones) are equated with being a high-quality status symbol. This relates to my previous idea of print being tangible, and this is a good thing when it comes to creating emotional connections. According to Silveria Designs, “People can feel and hold printed materials, which can help them to connect with the brand on a more personal level.”
If you’re looking to stand out and create an emotional connection with your audience, you should look into print design. Yes, it may be overlooked and downplayed in today’s world, but printed material exists all around us. You just need to stop assuming it’s dead.