Print marketing continues to evolve, and in 2026, it’s becoming more personalized, more connected, and more efficient than ever before. As businesses look for smarter ways to reach their audiences, new print marketing trends are helping brands improve engagement, streamline workflows, and create more impactful campaigns. In this blog, we’re breaking down the top 5 print marketing trends for 2026 and how you can use them to stay competitive, strengthen your brand, and get more value from every printed piece.
Print becomes more effective when it’s tailored to each individual who is receiving it. From personalized direct mailers to location-specific signs, personalized print makes your messaging more relevant and helps your audience connect with your brand on a higher level.
The way to customize your print marketing for each audience member is to use Variable Data Printing to include tailored details, such as names, offers, or content related to each individual’s interests. For example, a car dealership could send someone a postcard with an image of the car they bought from them, and a reminder that it’s time for a service check. In addition, a retail store could send out birthday mailers that include the recipient’s name, birthday, and a special offer to encourage them to shop with them.
Using Variable Data Printing for personalized print is great for direct mail campaigns, brochures, postcards, and even promotional kits.
Bridging offline and online marketing is essential nowadays. QR codes in your print designs shouldn’t be an option anymore. Instead, they should be standard extras on every printed piece. These scannable codes are a digital touchpoint linking your physical marketing message to your website, online forms, or apps. In addition, by using a unique URL in your QR codes, you can track engagement, helping you better understand the performance of your print marketing.
Tip: Now, it is apparent that some may not feel safe scanning a QR code from a brand they aren’t familiar with. When sending materials like postcards or catalogs to a new audience, you can build trust by also including a typed URL under the QR code, with messaging like “Scan the QR code or visit [your URL here].” Just remember, just like the URL you insert into the QR code, ensure it’s unique to your campaign and fairly short, like “www.yourbrand.com/2026promos.” This way, it is easy to type in a search bar, and because it is unique to your campaign, you can track results, no matter if they scan the code or search using a search engine.
As environmental awareness continues to grow in 2026, businesses are placing a greater emphasis on making sustainable choices in their print marketing. Today’s customers are more eco-conscious than ever, and they expect the brands they support to take responsibility for their environmental impact, especially when it comes to printed materials.
Choosing a sustainable printing partner is a major step toward reducing your environmental footprint. Printers that prioritize recycling programs, offer eco-friendly inks and coatings, use energy-efficient printing technology, and maintain clean, responsible manufacturing environments help minimize waste and conserve resources. Equally important is working with a print provider that actively collaborates with its team to continuously improve and expand sustainable practices.
By investing in eco-friendly print marketing, businesses not only support environmental responsibility but also strengthen brand trust and appeal to eco-conscious customers.
Print marketing often involves a long, manual process. From designing materials and tracking down artwork to requesting quotes, placing orders, and approving proofs, every print project can take more time than it should. Because of this, many businesses are moving to more efficient print marketing solutions like web-to-print software.
Web-to-print software, such as PortalPro, gives businesses a centralized online platform for managing their branded print materials. In just a few clicks, teams can order business cards, signage, apparel, drinkware, catalogs, direct mail, and more. Every product is built to the company’s exact specifications and uses pre-approved, on-brand designs, so branding stays consistent every time.
For example, when a new employee needs business cards, they can simply log into PortalPro, enter their contact information, and place an order. If franchisees need table tents, branded polos, or exterior signage, they can order those items on their own. There’s no need to search for artwork, email the marketing team, upload files, or worry about off-brand materials.
Web-to-print software is a growing print marketing trend that helps businesses streamline ordering, save time, and protect their brand, while making print easy for everyone involved.
AI has exploded and is increasingly being used to help businesses. It is playing an increasingly important role in print marketing and production workflows. Companies are using AI to speed up day-to-day tasks and improve print quality, from upscaling low-resolution images so they print clearly to catching typos and quickly resizing and adapting designs for different print formats and campaigns. These tools help ensure printed materials look professional, consistent, and on-brand across signage, direct mail, brochures, and promotional products.
Beyond design, AI is helping businesses streamline print marketing processes and improve targeting. AI-driven workflows reduce manual steps, minimize errors, and speed up approvals. At the same time, AI can analyze customer data to support more personalized and targeted direct mail campaigns, helping brands reach the right audience with the right message. Overall, AI is being used to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and create smarter, more effective print marketing strategies in 2026 and beyond.
Now that you have discovered the top print marketing trends for 2026, you’re ready to start planning for a successful year. When you’re ready to get started on your next print marketing campaign, click below to request a quote. We are here for all your print marketing needs.
