Print Marketing for B2B: Why It Still Matters

Posted: May 27, 2025
In the fast-paced, digital-first environment most B2B businesses operate in today, it’s easy to assume that print marketing has taken a backseat or even disappeared entirely. But here’s the reality: print is far from dead. In fact, it remains one of the most powerful, trusted, and effective tools for brand-building, especially in the B2B space.
Why is print still effective?
Because print breaks through digital fatigue. It creates a lasting impression. And when done well, it builds credibility and trust in ways a digital banner ad or email simply can’t match.
Tactile Marketing Creates Tangible Value
When everything lives on a screen, the physicality of print makes a bigger impact. Whether it’s a beautifully designed brochure, a direct mail piece with eye-catching visuals, or a leave-behind booklet at a trade show, print gives your message weight, literally and figuratively.
Studies show that physical marketing materials engage more of our senses, making them more memorable. People are more likely to remember and trust information they’ve seen in print, compared to something they scrolled past on their phone. In the B2B world, where relationships are built on trust and professionalism, that sensory reinforcement gives you a competitive edge.
A Strategic Advantage in a Crowded Market
B2B marketers often face longer sales cycles, larger decision-making teams, and more complex buyer journeys. This is where print marketing shines. It’s not just about grabbing attention. It’s about reinforcing your brand’s value at every touchpoint.
Think about printed sales kits, case studies, or branded welcome packages sent to prospective clients. These tactile, high-touch materials convey a sense of quality, thoughtfulness, and permanence that digital-only materials can’t replicate. And when paired with your digital efforts, they work together to create a cohesive and impactful brand experience.
Print Cuts Through the Noise
Your audience is inundated with emails, social media messages, and online ads daily. Much of it gets ignored or deleted. But a printed piece delivered to a desk? It gets noticed. It gets held. It often gets read. That’s especially true if it’s relevant, well-designed, and offers something useful.
Direct mail is particularly powerful in B2B for this reason. According to the Data & Marketing Association (DMA), direct mail response rates can be up to 9x higher than email. When targeted thoughtfully, it’s a cost-effective way to stand out from the digital clutter and stay top of mind.
Print Builds Credibility and Legitimacy
For B2B brands, credibility is everything. Printed materials provide an immediate sense of professionalism. Whether it’s a business card handed out at a networking event or a well-crafted proposal sent in a branded folder, print signals that your business is legitimate, experienced, and invested in quality.
Moreover, print shows effort. In an age of automation and quick wins, taking the time to produce a thoughtful, custom-printed asset tells your audience that you care—and that you’re serious about doing business.
Integration Is Key: Print + Digital = Better Together
Let’s be clear: this isn’t an either/or decision. The most successful B2B marketers know how to integrate print and digital to amplify results.
For example, use QR codes on print pieces to drive traffic to personalized landing pages. Combine an email nurture campaign with a direct mail touchpoint to boost response. Feature downloadable digital versions of your printed case studies or white papers. Print and digital should support each other to provide a richer, more personalized customer experience.
When to Use Print in B2B Marketing
Here are just a few high-impact opportunities where print marketing can play a major
role:
- Trade Shows and Conferences – Think signage, brochures, flyers, handouts,
and branded giveaways. - Client Onboarding Packages – Include branded materials, welcome letters, and
printed how-to guides. - Sales Presentations – Leave-behind folders with personalized documents or
printouts of proposals. - Direct Mail Campaigns – Targeted outreach to prospects or existing customers.
- Thought Leadership Materials – White papers, industry reports, or branded
magazines.
Print Is Personal. Print Is Powerful. Print Works.
B2B buyers are human too. They appreciate a thoughtful, well-executed marketing piece that breaks from the norm and respects their time and attention. Print gives your brand a physical presence, reinforces your messaging, and fosters real-world connections that digital can’t achieve alone.
At JTS, we help B2B businesses bring their brands to life through print. Whether it’s a one-off direct mail campaign or a full suite of marketing collateral, we make sure your message lands with impact—and sticks.