What E-commerce Brands Can Learn from Print

E-commerce is more competitive than ever, with countless brands fighting for attention across digital channels. Even great digital campaigns can get lost in the scroll. That’s why leading direct-to-consumer brands aren’t just investing online, they’re turning to print to break through. From inserts and catalogs to personalized mailers and packaging, print delivers physical touchpoints that stick, literally. Consumers say mail is 21% easier to recall than digital ads.

Let’s take a look at why print matters, tools you can use to drive traffic, and why personalization has an impact.

Why Print Still Matters for E-commerce

When it comes to digital and print, you can’t think of them as separate things. Print complements digital marketing by offering a memorable experience that helps your brand stand out in a crowded landscape. Customers spend 27% more when brands use tactile print touchpoints alongside digital. Whether it’s a personalized mailer driving online visits or a thoughtfully designed catalog, print boosts trust and loyalty, especially when paired with email or SMS in a coordinated campaign.

Chewy’s birthday campaign is a fun example of personalized marketing that blends print and digital. Pet owners receive a mailed birthday card addressed to their pet by name, complete with a QR code linking to a curated “birthday shop” that includes a website full of products to help celebrate their special day. The mailer also encourages recipients to share pictures of their pet’s celebration on social media. This thoughtful touch strengthens emotional connections, drives online engagement, and keeps customers coming back.

Photo source: Chewy/Lob.com

Key Print Tools to Drive Traffic and Boost Sales

Print is a powerful way to connect with customers beyond the screen. When you use the right mix of print, whether that’s inside the package or in the mailbox, you create more chances to increase return customers, raise AOV, and boost email opt-ins post-purchase. Using touchpoints helps your brand stand out and makes the shopping experience feel more personal and memorable.

• Print inserts: Including personalized offers, promo codes, or calls to action inside your packages boost response rates, as companies that add gift cards or coupons see rates rise up to 13.81%, encouraging repeat purchases.
• Catalogs: Customers who receive both a catalog and email outreach spend 24% more on average, making print catalogs a powerful way to showcase your full range and inspire more buying.
• Branded packaging: Custom packaging that feels luxurious encourages customers to share their unboxing on social media and motivates 41% of consumers to place future orders.
• Personalized mailers: Sending targeted, relevant messages that speak directly to different customer segments can improve client engagement by up to 70%, leading to better responses and loyalty.

Using print strategically builds long-term brand equity and encourages repeat purchases. When combined with your digital efforts, print becomes a powerful way to stand out and keep customers coming back.

Leveraging Print on Demand and Shopify Integrations

Print on demand has become a powerful solution for e-commerce brands looking to stay flexible and control costs when it comes to print marketing. In fact, the print on demand industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 26%. Instead of committing to large print runs that may or may not sell, print on demand lets you produce only what you need, when you need it. This not only reduces upfront expenses but also cuts down on waste, giving you the freedom to launch niche product lines, seasonal promotions, or limited time offers without inventory risk.

Another advantage is the seamless integration with platforms like Shopify. Print-on-demand solutions enable personalized print materials like custom inserts or packaging to be created and shipped automatically based on customer data. AXIS, an Aradius Group web-to-print platform, provides a custom-branded online portal for organizing, ordering, and tracking marketing materials. This simplifies the entire process, helping brands manage print fulfillment efficiently.

Finally, print on demand scales quickly during seasonal spikes or promotional pushes. Whether you’re gearing up for a big sale or holiday campaign, you can ramp up production without worrying about delays or excessive inventory. This speed and scalability mean your marketing can ramp up production in hours, not weeks.

If you want to learn more about how print on demand can help your brand save costs, reduce waste, and deliver personalized marketing at scale, reach out, we’d love to chat!

Personalization at Scale: Make Every Print Piece Count

When it comes to standing out, personalization is everything, and print is the best place to do it. By tapping into your customer data, you can tailor print content in ways that feel relevant, timely, and valuable. From including a customer’s name to highlighting products they’ve shown interest in. For example, adding a customer’s name to a mailer can increase response rates by 135%.

One effective approach is using segmentation and behavioral triggers to drive your print strategy. For example, you might send a thank you postcard seven days after delivery with a 15% re-order discount code to first-time buyers or include a personalized insert in a package based on the shopper’s browsing history. Abandoned cart triggers, milestone purchases, or seasonal replenishment cycles are great ways to bring digital into the physical world.

This kind of thoughtful targeting doesn’t just boost response rates, it also drives higher traffic, stronger brand loyalty, more repeat purchases, and increased average order value. When customers feel seen and understood, they’re more likely to come back. And when personalization extends beyond email into print moments you can touch and hold, the impact is even more memorable.

Interested in adding personalization to your next campaign but not sure where to start? Reach out! Our team is ready to help you get started.

The Takeaway

In today’s digital landscape, integrating print into your marketing mix is a powerful way to stand out and connect with customers more meaningfully. For e-commerce brands, especially during the busy holiday season, personalized, targeted print can cut through the clutter and deliver real results.

Print increases retention and reorders by bringing digital intent into the real world. Ready to make the most of your season? Let’s build a print strategy that drives your e-commerce goals, faster.