Best Examples of Print Advertising Campaign Examples That Still Work in 2025

Modern examples of print advertising campaign examples that actually moved the needle

When marketers look for examples of print advertising campaign examples that still perform in a digital-first world, they usually gravitate toward brands that do three things well: sharp creative, smart targeting, and a clear bridge to online behavior. Let’s start with recent, real examples and what you can steal from them.

IKEA: “Assembly Instructions” as print brand storytelling

IKEA has repeatedly turned its iconic instruction-style visuals into print campaigns that feel instantly recognizable. A recent run in design and lifestyle magazines used minimalist line drawings and almost no copy. The ad mimicked their assembly instructions, but instead of a bookshelf, it showed a living room transforming from chaotic to calm.

Why it works:

• The layout uses white space and simple lines, so the ad stops the eye in cluttered magazines.
• It reinforces the brand promise of “affordable order” without shouting about discounts.
• A small QR code in the corner drives readers to a curated landing page with the featured products.

This is a textbook example of how a brand can turn its existing visual language into a print system that works across markets and years.

Apple: Privacy-focused newspaper spreads

Apple’s privacy positioning has shown up in massive outdoor formats, but it also ran full-page and double-page spreads in major newspapers in the U.S. and Europe. The copy was bold and almost confrontational: large headlines about data protection, with body copy that read more like an open letter than an ad.

Why this belongs among the best examples of print advertising campaign examples:

• It uses the credibility of established newspapers to reinforce Apple’s stance on privacy.
• The long-form copy takes advantage of print’s slower, more reflective reading environment.
• A short URL and QR code push readers to Apple’s detailed privacy resources, where they can dig into settings and product details.

This is one of the strongest real examples of using print not for quick sales, but for brand trust and policy positioning.

Patagonia: Print as activism, not just promotion

Patagonia has a long history of provocative print, including the famous “Don’t Buy This Jacket” ad. In recent years, it has continued to run issue-focused print ads in outdoor magazines and national newspapers, focusing on climate policy, public lands, and responsible consumption.

What makes this a standout example of print strategy:

• The ads often feature striking photography, very limited product presence, and clear calls to civic action (like urging readers to vote or support specific environmental protections).
• Patagonia links the ads to in-depth resources on its site, including environmental impact reports and policy explainers.
• The campaigns align with research on climate and environmental health from organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NIH, enhancing credibility.

For brands with a mission-driven story, this is one of the best examples of print advertising campaign examples that put purpose ahead of short-term sales—and still grow loyalty.

Amazon and Walmart: Retail circulars that behave like print UX

Retailers like Amazon (for its holiday toy catalogs) and Walmart (for seasonal circulars) continue to invest heavily in direct mail and newspaper inserts. These pieces blur the line between magazine and catalog.

Why these are powerful examples of print advertising campaign examples in 2024–2025:

• They function as physical wish lists in families’ homes, especially during holidays and back-to-school.
• QR codes and short URLs appear next to individual products, letting shoppers jump from print to product pages in seconds.
• The layout is optimized for scanning: clear product clusters, price callouts, and simple navigation.

These real examples show how print can anchor a multi-channel retail strategy, especially when paired with email reminders and app notifications.

Local healthcare systems: Trust-building print in a skeptical world

Healthcare providers in the U.S. have leaned on print to rebuild trust after the pandemic years. Many regional hospital systems have run full-page newspaper ads and mailed community newsletters featuring:

• Physician profiles
• Preventive care checklists
• Short explainers on vaccines and screenings

These campaigns often reference or align with guidance from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mayo Clinic, which readers already recognize.

Why these are strong real examples:

• Print feels more permanent and thoughtful than a banner ad, which matters in health decisions.
• Older demographics, who are heavier users of healthcare, are also more likely to read print mailers and local newspapers.
• Calls to action are simple: phone numbers, appointment URLs, and QR codes that open scheduling pages.

If you’re in a regulated or high-trust category, these are some of the best examples of print advertising campaign examples to model.

Nonprofits: Direct mail appeals that still raise serious money

Despite every prediction that email would replace it, direct mail remains a major fundraising channel for nonprofits. Organizations focused on health, education, and social services continue to send:

• Letter-style appeals with a personal story
• Impact reports showing how donations are used
• Matching gift or year-end campaigns

Many of these campaigns cite statistics from public sources like the U.S. Census Bureau or health agencies to frame the problem they’re addressing.

These examples include thoughtful touches like:

• Handwritten-style fonts for signatures
• Reply envelopes with pre-printed donor info
• Prominent URLs and QR codes for online giving

The lesson: if you’re looking for examples of print advertising campaign examples that directly drive donations or sign-ups, nonprofit mailers are a masterclass in persuasive, measurable print.

Startups and challenger brands: Print as a credibility shortcut

In the last few years, several direct-to-consumer brands have tested print in niche magazines and city business journals to signal maturity. Think fintech apps, B2B SaaS tools, and new consumer wellness brands.

They use print to:

• Reach investors, executives, and early adopters who still read industry publications
• Stand out from a crowded social feed
• Tell a more nuanced story than a short digital ad allows

These real examples of print advertising campaign examples often feature:

• Clean, product-focused photography
• A single, sharp benefit-focused headline
• A CTA that leads to a dedicated landing page with an offer or demo

For smaller brands, this is an example of how targeted print can punch above its weight when you pick the right publication.

What these examples of print advertising campaign examples have in common

Looking across these campaigns, certain patterns repeat. If you’re trying to build your own campaign, these shared traits matter more than the specific brand names.

Clear role for print in the wider media mix

None of the best examples of print advertising campaign examples live in isolation. Print is usually doing one or more of these jobs:

• Establishing or reinforcing brand positioning (Apple, Patagonia)
• Driving store or site traffic (Amazon, Walmart)
• Building trust in high-stakes decisions (healthcare, financial services)
• Supporting fundraising or advocacy (nonprofits, issue campaigns)

The strongest campaigns define print’s role up front, then measure success against that role instead of generic metrics.

Strong creative that understands the medium

Real examples of print advertising campaign examples succeed because they respect how people actually interact with print:

• Headlines must work from a distance and in a split second.
• Body copy can be longer, but only if it’s genuinely worth reading.
• Design has to compete with surrounding content, whether that’s a magazine spread or a mailbox stuffed with coupons.

IKEA’s instruction-style visuals, Apple’s letter-style copy, and Patagonia’s striking photography are different tactics, but they share one thing: they feel native to print, not repurposed from a digital banner.

A bridge from paper to pixels

The best examples of print advertising campaign examples no longer treat print as a dead end. Instead, they build a bridge to digital:

• QR codes that open a specific landing page, not just a homepage
• Short, memorable URLs that are easy to type on a phone
• Offer codes that let you attribute sales to a specific print run

With smartphone adoption near universal in many markets, readers expect that anything interesting on paper will have a quick way to continue online.

How to design your own example of a high-performing print campaign

If you want your campaign to sit comfortably next to these real examples of print advertising campaign examples, you need to think beyond “we should be in this magazine.” Here’s how to approach it.

Start with the audience, not the format

Ask very specific questions:

• Who exactly are you trying to reach?
• What do they already read or receive in the mail?
• What problem or desire are they thinking about when they see your ad?

For example, a B2B software company might discover that its buyers read a particular trade journal on flights. That insight can justify a dense, insight-heavy print ad that would never work on social.

Choose the right print channel

“Print” is not one thing. Your strategy changes depending on where your ad appears:

• Magazines: Great for visual storytelling, lifestyle brands, and long-form copy. Better for brand building and considered purchases.
• Newspapers: Strong for time-sensitive messages, policy positions, and local offers. Good for reaching older, affluent demographics.
• Direct mail: Ideal for personalized offers, fundraising, complex products, and local services. Highly measurable when you use codes and trackable URLs.
• In-store print (posters, shelf talkers, flyers): Perfect for nudging decisions at the point of sale.

The best examples of print advertising campaign examples pick one or two of these and execute deeply instead of scattering budget across everything.

Make one idea do the heavy lifting

In almost every standout example of print advertising, there’s a single idea at the core:

• “Don’t buy this jacket” (Patagonia)
• “Privacy. That’s iPhone.” (Apple-style privacy message)
• “Here’s how your home can feel calmer” (IKEA’s assembly-style storytelling)

If your ad needs three or four messages to make sense, it will probably fail in print. Aim for one core idea, then support it with proof, imagery, and a clear next step.

Build measurement into the creative

One reason marketers hesitate to invest in print is the perception that it’s hard to track. The real examples of print advertising campaign examples that keep getting renewed usually bake measurement into the creative itself:

• Use a QR code that leads to a campaign-specific page.
• Include a promo code that only appears in print.
• Set up a dedicated phone number or extension.

Over time, you can compare performance by publication, geography, and creative version, then refine your media mix.

FAQ: Real-world questions about print advertising examples

What are some current real examples of print advertising campaign examples that small businesses can learn from?

Local healthcare mailers, regional bank newspaper ads, and nonprofit fundraising letters are all real examples of print advertising campaign examples that smaller businesses can emulate. They’re typically focused on clear offers, trust-building copy, and simple calls to action like “call this number” or “visit this URL.” You don’t need a global brand budget to borrow their structure and tone.

Can you give an example of a print ad that successfully drove online traffic?

A strong example of this is the way large retailers use holiday catalogs. Amazon’s toy catalogs and Walmart’s seasonal circulars place QR codes next to featured products. Parents and kids flip through the catalog at home, then scan codes to add items directly to online carts. This is one of the best examples of print advertising campaign examples that blend tactile browsing with digital convenience.

Are examples of print advertising campaign examples still relevant in a digital-first strategy?

Yes. The brands using print best treat it as one touchpoint in a larger system. Print is particularly effective for credibility (finance, healthcare), depth of explanation (B2B, complex products), and high-attention moments (magazines on flights, Sunday newspapers, mail at home). The key is to connect print to digital with QR codes, URLs, and consistent creative.

What are some examples of industries that should prioritize print advertising?

Industries that often see strong returns from print include healthcare providers, financial services, education, nonprofits, local home services, and higher-end retail. These sectors benefit from the trust and attention that print can command, especially with older or higher-income audiences who still engage deeply with print media.

How do I create my own example of a print advertising campaign that stands out?

Study the best examples of print advertising campaign examples from brands that target a similar audience, then adapt their principles rather than copying their visuals. Focus on one powerful idea, strong headline, uncluttered design, and a clear next step. Test different offers or calls to action across small print runs, measure response, and scale what works.