Chronicles by Print Lord

World Paper Day: Why Print Still Matters in a Digital World

Aug 1, 2025

Huge stacks of diverse fashion and lifestyle magazines piled high in an indoor store setting.

World Paper Day: Why Print Still Matters in a Digital World

Raise a toast (or a fresh sheet of A4) – it’s World Paper Day! At Print Lord, we’re not just rolling out the bunting because it suits us (though, let’s face it, no one throws a print party quite like us). We’re celebrating something far bigger: the enduring, bright power of print in an age where everyone seems glued to their screens.

Why Celebrate World Paper Day?

Paper has been humanity’s trusty sidekick for centuries. From ancient scrolls to beautifully branded business cards, from vibrant stickers to the masterpiece of a well-executed exhibition stand, print gives ideas weight and meaning. World Paper Day is our chance to cheer for its relevance and rally against the myth that “digital means print is dead.”

Here’s the thing: the pixel never replaced the page. It just made us love great print even more.

Tangible Matters: The Science Behind Paper’s Punch

There’s a reason nothing quite lands like something you can hold. Studies by organisations like Two Sides and Royal Mail have found that printed materials are:
Better remembered: People recall info from paper far more than digital.
More trusted: We instinctively trust physical mail, flyers, and documents more than digital versions.
Emotionally sticky: Paper evokes stronger feelings—think of the thrill when your new business cards arrive, or the nostalgia of a flyer from your favourite gig.

It’s not just about sentimentality. Print is scientifically effective for communication, persuasion, and even learning.

Print vs. Pixels: Why Go Tangible in a Digital World?

Let’s not pretend print and digital can’t get along. Used well, they’re a power couple. But here’s what the “paperless prophets” never quite admit:

  • – **Print cuts through digital noise**: While your inbox fills with a hundred unread emails, a well-designed leaflet or a beautifully printed sticker stands out – and sticks.
  • **No screen fatigue**: We’re all guilty – that mind-numbing scroller’s headache. Print? No pop-ups, no refresh required, just clear, undistracted attention.
  • **Print lasts**: A digital ad vanishes in a flick, but print lingers – on the desk, fridge, or firmly (and proudly) stuck to a laptop.

The Truth About Sustainability (Spoiler: Print is Greener Than You Think)

Here’s a myth that needs binning: “Printing kills trees.” Print Lord, along with industry voices like Two Sides, has campaigned hard against this paperless PR. Here’s why:

  • – **European paper comes from sustainable forests**. In fact, well-managed print demand helps support responsible forestry, not destroy it. More trees are planted to support paper than are harvested.
  • **Print is recyclable and renewable**. Modern inks, processes, and waste systems mean print is more planet-friendly than most digital naysayers imagine.
  • **Digital isn’t always greener**. All that cloud power, those endless data servers… they leave a footprint too. Don’t be duped by the “eco” marketing of faceless online giants.

If you want the facts, organisations like Two Sides have the myth-busting stats and research.

Real Results, Real Print: What Our Clients Know

At Print Lord, we don’t just rant about print’s powers – we prove it, every week. Whether it’s a complex, multi-part campaign, a time-sensitive sticker run, or a batch of show-stopping signage, our clients choose paper, cardboard, and ink for one reason: results. It’s not about nostalgia – it’s about response rates, memorability, and being taken seriously. Print gives your message gravitas and a tactile sense of quality that digital simply cannot replicate.

If You’re Wondering, “But Isn’t Paper Old-Fashioned?”…

Only as old-fashioned as a handshake – and just as effective for building trust and relationships. Here’s some food for thought:
– Eco-aware? Print can be part of your green strategy if you choose it well.
– Building a brand? Tangible assets (labels, leaflets, till rolls, you name it) say you’re serious.
– Want to be remembered? Give your audience something they can actually hold onto.

The Print Lord Way: Delivering More Than Just Paper

We’re more than printers; we’re print obsessed – with a flair for making the complicated simple and the simple stunning. Need advice on specs, artwork wrangling (even rescuing a flailing Canva file), or a fast fix for an urgent job? That’s everyday royal business for us. We make print work for you: responsibly sourced, beautifully made, and always delivered with character.

So, on World Paper Day, join us in raising a sheet to the power, purpose, and pleasure of print. Print isn’t going anywhere – in fact, it’s getting smarter, greener, and bolder every year.

Want help making your message tangible? Drop us a line. Until then, happy World Paper Day from the Print Lord and the team! #WorldPaperDay #PrintIsPower

February Kicks Off: Why VDP Is Your Secret Weapon for 2026 Marketing

February 2026 begins with VDP as your marketing secret weapon. Print Lord explores why personalised print drives response, ROI, and competitive advantage.

Future of Print: Smart, Not Mass

The future of print isn’t bigger, it’s smarter. Discover how personalised, data-driven VDP is transforming marketing. Print Lord explores print’s future.

VDP Plus Retargeting: Print Meets Digital Sequencing

Discover how integrating Variable Data Printing with digital retargeting creates unstoppable marketing sequences. Learn print-digital coordination strategies that boost conversion rates.

Free Download Spreadsheet Day: Template for VDP

Download our free VDP spreadsheet template. Structure your data for personalised print campaigns. Easy-to-follow guide with data cleaning tips and real examples.

Data Privacy Day: Ethical VDP

Data Privacy Day: Learn how to use Variable Data Printing ethically. Respect privacy, build trust, and personalise compliantly with Print Lord’s ethical VDP principles.

VDP Starter Checklist

Ready to launch your first Variable Data Printing campaign? Follow our practical 7-step checklist: data preparation, design, tracking, offer, follow-up, metrics, and execution.

VDP for Charity and Fundraising: Personalised Campaigns That Drive Donations

Boost charity donations with personalised fundraising mailers. Variable Data Printing lets you personalise donor appeals by giving history and interest. Higher response rates, measurable results.

Burns Night: Why Personalised Messages Matter

Burns Night celebrates personal expression. Discover how personalised messages in print create emotional impact and build genuine customer loyalty. VDP makes it scalable.

International Day of Education: VDP for Certificates and Training

Personalised certificates and training materials with Variable Data Printing. Professional recognition that drives achievement. Learn how Print Lord personalises education.

What Makes a VDP Campaign Look Premium

Discover what separates premium VDP campaigns from standard ones. Premium paper, flawless execution, professional design. Print Lord delivers premium Variable Data Printing that reflects your brand’s value.