If you thought print was dead, think again! Print advertising ideas for magazines, billboards, and poster campaigns are hugely influential, helping to build brand memorability and make a serious statement. Pick up on some creative print ad ideas by studying these famous examples.
Dive in to discover:
What Are the Elements of a Good Print Ad?
As well as a really creative print advertisement idea, a good print ad example usually combines a brand logo or brand identity elements—such as fonts and color palettes—with a single strong image and equally strong slogan.
The most creative print ads might use photography, illustration, or even just type, in combination with powerful messaging, to draw attention to the ad, and boost brand recall.
Magazine ads or other forms of print advertising might not involve a lot of physical space in which to make a statement, making it crucial that the ad design ideas are impactful and eye-catching, and that the print ads are targeted at the specific audience reading the publication or traveling past the ad.
What Are Some Iconic Print Ads?
Over the 20th century, iconic print ads have shaped the way consumers engage with brands, with notable iconic print campaigns including Nike’s “Just Do It” ads from the late 1980s and Wonderbra’s infamous “Hello Boys” campaign from 1994.
Iconic print ad campaigns from Nike (1988) and Wonderbra (1994).
These creative print ads leave an imprint in advertising history and, in some cases, are so distinctive that they remain lodged in the public’s memory for decades after the campaign is circulated.
In more recent months and years, there have been some truly standout ad design ideas from brands like IKEA, McDonald’s, and Old Spice, which prove that print is not only still going, but thriving as well!
Let’s take a look at some of the best print ads of recent times. . . .
A print ad campaign for IKEA, “Tomorrow Starts Tonight,” by Mother.
10 Print Advertising Ideas and Examples
You can’t embellish a print ad with the bells and whistles of animation, video, or UX design, so the power of a creative idea really lies at the heart of fantastic print advertising.
The best print ads use eye-catching imagery, memorable slogans, and sometimes eccentric or off-the-wall print advertising ideas to make a point of difference.
Below, you’ll find print advertising ideas to inspire your own creative print ads, offering ad design ideas that range from powerful slogans to unforgettable (and sometimes off the wall) visual concepts.
When it comes to print advertising ideas, the more creative the better!
1. McDonald’s and DoorDash: Faster Food
What would a Big Mac and an Egg McMuffin look like at high-speed?
This creative print ad campaign by Canadian agency No Fixed Address in 2023 imagines just that, applying motion-blur effects to McDonald’s products to reinforce the super-fast delivery speeds offered by their delivery partner DoorDash.
Faster Food campaign for DoorDash and McDonald’s by No Fixed Address.
Why This Ad Works
The advertisement layout ideas were pasted on billboards at transport hubs around Toronto, drawing the connection between the speed of passengers and the even faster speed of the food deliveries.
One of the best print advertisement examples of how simple is sometimes the most effective design strategy to adopt for print.
2. Marmite: Love it, Hate it, Just Don’t Forget It
Marmite is loved and hated in equal measure by consumers in the UK. The divisive nature of the spread was faced head-on in this print advertising example created by adam&eveDDB London.
A risky strategy that played on the idea of Marmite being neglected or adored but, nonetheless, a consistent feature of the store cupboard, the print ad campaign was envisioned as full page ad examples that immersed the viewer in the debate.
Why This Ad Works
The messaging of this print advertising example endures long after the reader has turned the page. Inviting an open discussion and family debate, these creative print ads were designed to boost brand memorability.
3. Old Spice: Head-Turning and Hilarious
Old Spice has a long history of producing really head-turning and hilarious print advertisement examples.
We struggled to pick just a few of our favorites from the Old Spice ad hall-of-fame, but these recent campaigns really build on the tongue-in-cheek, hyper-masculine brand identity that Old Spice has fostered over the years.
Agency Wieden+Kennedy brought many of Old Spice’s recent campaigns to print audiences, and they never fail to raise a smile.
Recent print advertisement examples for fragrance brand Old Spice.
Why This Ad Works
Old Spice is a long-established brand, having first been launched back in 1937. Old Spice’s ad design ideas build on the nostalgic associations consumers have with the brand, while avoiding brand stagnation.
Humor is always at the center of every print ad campaign they produce.
4. IKEA: Don’t Worry, You Can Afford It
There’s nothing worse than breaking your favorite mug, but this quirky and super-cute campaign by bespoke agency INGO Hamburg for furniture retailer IKEA reminds you that it’s not all bad when the mug cost so little in the first place.
This cute print ad example for IKEA by INGO Hamburg underlines the affordability of the brand’s products.
Why This Ad Works
Images of broken IKEA products with furry culprits alongside might not be an obvious strategy for a brand that sells intact products but, in these magazine ads, it really reinforces the message of affordability.
5. Furphy Crisp Lager: Furphy, What the Truck?!
Print advertising isn’t limited to magazine ads or simple billboard posters, and this creative ad design idea from Thinkerbell to promote Australian beer brand Furphy’s new Crisp Lager really shows how diverse print advertising can be.
The brand wedged a beer truck printed with an ad for the new product between two skyscrapers in Sydney’s CBD, with the stunt going instantly viral.
Why This Ad Works
Physical print advertising has the capacity to generate a buzz in real life and online. This print advertising stunt was no small feat for Furphy to execute but its brand impact made it well worth the effort.
6. Nivea: Nivea Night
This now-classic print advertising example has been revisited a number of times by beauty brand Nivea.
The opening pot of night cream mimics the silhouette of a moon, with the brand’s distinctive blue and white color palette, brand name, and product being the only elements on the print ad.
Why This Ad Works
In your own advertisement layout ideas, remember that simple is often best!
This effective Nivea print advertisement is such a strong example of minimalist design, using plenty of negative space and a calming color choice to really set the tone for the product’s branding.
7. KFC: Finger Lickin’ Good
Offering a fresh take on KFC’s iconic slogan, London agency Mother created a photographic print ad campaign for magazine ads, billboards, and posters that allowed viewers to fill in the gap.
Why This Ad Works
Another brand with a long history, KFC’s “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan has been used by the food brand since a KFC restaurant manager started saying it off the cuff in the 1950s.
These recent creative print ads bring new life to the iconic and well-known slogan, placing the customer at the center of the campaign through use of immersive, informal photography.
The main reason this ad works is that it not only revisits the well-known slogan, but brings more feeling and emotion to the original messaging, as well.
8. Kahlúa: Stir It Up
Mexican coffee liqueur Kahlúa finds fresh audiences with this Salma Hayek-fronted print ad campaign by Wieden+Kennedy.
Suggesting that “wine is boring,” the invigorating ad design ideas were translated to magazine ads, billboard posters, and video ads to bring the brand’s colorful identity to life.
Why This Ad Works
Advertising niche drinks products can be a challenge, but here Kahlúa takes it head-on with a celebrity-fronted campaign that uses strong color contrast, bold typography, and in-your-face messaging style.
The brand’s visual identity, including color palette and brand fonts, are unmissable elements of these creative print ads, and contribute towards improving brand recognition.
9. Airbnb: Airbnb It
In 2023, Airbnb was on the lookout for more hosts to add to their ever-expanding selection of homes-away-from home.
The result was a campaign called “Airbnb It,” which used animation and isometric illustrations to drive home the idea of a home being easily converted to an Airbnb while the hosts were on vacation.
The TV ad spots used quirky animated shorts created by agency Buck, and the stills were translated into cute print advertising to help target these as of yet unconverted audiences.
Why This Ad Works
Airbnb recognized a potential audience for conversion to hosting on Airbnb, but opted for a different strategy to its usual digital marketing techniques.
The quaint and cozy ad design ideas successfully put across the message that Airbnb hosting is easy and simple, even if you’re not committed to hosting a home full-time.
10. Uber Eats: Get Almost, Almost Anything
This huge multi-media campaign for Uber Eats involved work created by Essence Mediacom, Hello Social, and H/Commerce, and was used in international ad campaigns across the USA, Asia, and Australia.
The premise? You can get anything . . . almost anything . . . on Uber Eats, but ordering highly unusual things like “Magic” or “Period Romance” might result in some unwanted effects.
The video spot ads were supported by print advertisement examples that ranged from editorial ads to flyer designs, bringing a cohesive feel to the whole campaign.
Why This Ad Works
This print advertising example demonstrates how a combination of traditional print advertising and video advertising can bring different qualities to create a cohesive marketing campaign.
While video ads focus on character-driven stories, the print ad campaign uses typography and simple imagery to reinforce the overall campaign message.
A print ad campaign for IKEA, “Tomorrow Starts Tonight,” by Mother.
Why Print Advertising Could Still Be Worth It
You might well be thinking that however creative the above print advertising examples are, it’s still a tall order to prioritize print advertising in favor of digital advertising these days.
Surely more people are clicking on social media than reading newspapers, right?
While digital advertising is certainly growing astronomically, there are several advantages in opting for print advertising in place of, or in combination with, online marketing.
These include:
- Print advertising can reach audience groups that digital advertising might not. Consider that around half of Americans don’t have an Instagram account, in addition to the fact that 7% of Americans, largely in an older demographic, do not use the internet at all. These huge audiences remain untapped for digital advertisers, meaning that print advertising, television, and radio are the best methods of connecting with these groups.
- Print advertising ideas boost brand recognition and brand association. While online ads are designed to encourage click-throughs, print advertising has the power to build long-lasting positive associations with a brand, rather than relying on a quick click (and equally quick click-away). This is why many of the best print ads aim to simply connect an idea with a brand, rather than selling something specifically. It’s all about playing the long game, and building loyal, positive relationships with your customer base.
- Print advertising can be highly targeted. Imagine placing a billboard ad at the exit of a subway station, advertising an exhibition or store that’s right around the corner? Print ads can directly channel audiences towards a business through carefully considered placement. In this way, print advertising can really boost footfall locally.
What Types of Businesses Are Best for Print Ad Campaigns?
A print ad campaign might not be the best fit for every business or every type of campaign, so it’s good to know when to opt for print advertising over digital marketing methods.
The types of businesses that might find print advertising to be particularly useful include businesses that want to attract a local audience (think restaurants, museums, or stores), or businesses that are looking to target older audiences, or audiences who might otherwise be less exposed to digital advertising.
Print advertising is also generally associated with tradition and trust, making magazine ads or a print ad campaign a great fit for brands looking to boost their authority.
Long-established brands or brands associated with traditional products—such as luxury fashion, whisky, cars, and legal or financial services—will usually resonate with print readers.
It’s also worth noting that print advertising can be particularly effective when combined with online ad campaigns and other methods of advertising, such as TV or radio.
For example, a print ad can be used to boost brand recognition in the lead-up to an online sales event.
Conclusion: Say It in Print!
Far from being a dinosaur of advertising, a print ad campaign can bring huge value to brands looking to target particular audiences and boost positive brand association.
While digital advertising offers immediacy, really standout print advertising ideas offer more long-term benefits, including customer loyalty and brand memorability. So, neglect print at your peril!
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License this cover image via Creativeprism, EVorona, and Pixel-Shot.
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