12 Unbelievably Creative Print Ads (Analyzed & Ranked)

Through the span of decades, we have seen some brilliant and amazingly creative print ads.

While some are still alive and fresh in the customer’s mind, heart, and soul, others are long forgotten. 

It’s an incredibly competitive world out there and only that which stands out in the first look is what stays. 

This is why designing a creative print advertisement that hooks people in the first look is imperative for brand development and recognition today. 

Digital print ads are a global phenomenon these days with more and more emphasis being placed on humor in messaging.

The element of humor and creativity in your print ads makes your audience relate to the message and engage with the ad more. 

Over the years, many brands huge and small have come up with brilliant, stand apart, and amazingly creative print advertisements.

Some were funny, some witty, some emotional, and some strong in sending out the message. We will take a look at some of my personal favorites, but before that, let’s understand a little more about print ads. 

What’s the Secret of Creating Effective Print Ads?

creative print advertising

Print ads are the kind of ad campaigns that are presented and published on print channels. These reach a wider audience and garner better visibility for the brands.

Brands have been using print publications to promote their products and services for a long time.

In the first place, print ads include newspapers, magazines, and even billboards where brands post their ads.

But now, with technological upgrades and revolutions, the print ad campaigns moved their base from hard copies to even soft copies and from billboard to digital banner ad campaigns.

There are many factors that create an effective print ad. Creativity is one of the most important aspects of any print ad. However, it isn’t the only factor that makes a print ad successful. Here are a few ways in which a print ad campaign isn’t just heard, but is also seen and loved.

 

1. Clarity of the Message Being Sent

creative print advertising

For the success of a creative print ad campaign, the clarity of the message is very important. It is the golden rule of advertising that the right message needs to be sent to the right audience at the right time. Therefore, when you are designing a print ad campaign, make sure that the message is clear, concise, and complete.

 

2. A Balance of Creativity and Minimalism Works

Creative print advertising car

Print ad campaigns have evolved along with the advertising world. Long back, when print ad campaigns came into form, the emphasis was always on the product. Brands used to add a lot of product specifications and information in the print ad along with a little bit of something they called creative.

However, with time, the concept of creativity with minimalism has risen. Brands have understood that the attention span of the audience is very low and they have to stand out in that time. So, a concoction of creative ad copies plus minimalist design has been winning at print ad campaigns.

 

3. Ensure That the Call-to-Action is There in its Glory

The ultimate goal of any advertising campaign is to bring leads. Leads can only approach you when they know how to approach you. As a result, it is important that your print ad has a clearly placed call to action.

 

What All Kinds of Print Ads Can You Run

This is no surprise that people these days are more engaged on social media (or the internet) for advertising and marketing purposes. However, print media has its relevance. Being the age-old form of advertising it is still relevant on certain grounds. Though times have changed drastically, the print media is not out of the game. Yes, it still stands strong on competitive grounds.

Various types of print ads you can consider for your brand:

 

Print Ads in Newspapers

print advertising mcdonalds

We all know that there is a large section of people that love reading newspapers. So, saying that digitalization has dropped down the popularity of newspapers is not justified.

Even today some people enjoy their morning cup of tea with a newspaper in hand. I see this every day at my home as well. I am amazed to see how my parents tend to buy products after seeing them printed in the newspaper along with heavy discount offers.

So, it is a great option for your brand to go with advertising in the newspaper. They not only have a greater reach but are also very effective for small and local businesses.

Newspaper advertising also helps businesses to reach their target audiences in the local environment. So it can surely help you in reaching large masses.

 

Print Magazine Ads

print advertising coca cola

Magazine advertising is one of the best advertising channels to target specific audiences. There are magazines related to different niches like beauty, health, cooking, sports, fitness, and many more.

As a result, it can help you reach your specific set of audiences. Another attractive thing in magazine advertisements is that you get to see high-quality images that portray the product in the best way.

 

Direct Mail Print Ads

Direct mail is a personalized way of reaching your target customers. It is also one of the ways that you can opt for.

This helps you to target your ideal audiences based on their specific needs. Moreover, it is also a very affordable option to go with. Affordably advertising your products and services helps you save your dollars for other tasks.

Personalized and interesting. So, are you ready to do some direct mail print advertising?

 

Brochure Print Ads

Brochures are another type of print advertising. They let you share detailed information about your brand, products, and services.

Make appealing brochures to effectively advertise your brand. They are easy to distribute and are quite affordable. 

You can also include a brochure with your direct mail to give information about your products and services to your interested customers.

 

How are Print Ads Going Digital?

online print advertising

In today’s time, digital advertising is an inseparable part of a brand’s marketing and advertising plan. As a result, print ad campaigns have gone digital too.

The print ads are posted on the website in the form of banner ads, on social media in the form of posts, on e-newsletters, and more. Digital print ads have also made way for amazing graphic designing.

Be it hard copy or soft copy, it is no surprise that print ads are here to stay and will be here to stay for a long time. \

 

Are Print Ads Still Effective in the Digital Age?

online print advertising creativity

In today’s world when we think of marketing and advertising, we usually head towards digital advertising.

With growing dependence on online platforms, brands focus more on going digital. 

But even in today’s age, print ads hold incredible relevance. The only catch is now these print ads are shown more on the digital platforms than on the traditional platforms.

Have a look at a few advantages that make print advertising relevant even today:

 

Print Ads are Trusted

Print ads provide real value to your customers. They carry information, insights, and reliability with them. 

Therefore, people feel that print ads are more credible. Many people think that these print ads are less obstructive than other forms of advertising. 

Moreover, with print ads, you get information instantly about the brand and the product. It all happens in an instant. 

 

Higher Conversions

The most important metric for any advertising is to generate conversions. Digital print ad tends to have more conversion rate than other forms of advertising.

It makes more viewers in approaching your brand. Therefore, it is not a bad idea to run a few online print ads. 

 

Creativity is at Display

With print ads, your brand has the chance to showcase its creativity in all its glory.

Print ads can be minimalist, or you can go all out and make it the most extravagant one.

Ultimately, the goal is to give your audience something different from your competitors within the range of their attention span. Therefore, print ads can help you achieve just that.

 

12 Unbelievably Creative Print Ads Campaigns

No. 1) The WWF Advertisement
Amazingly creative ad campaigns

No, we aren’t talking about the wrestling league here. This hard-hitting print ad was created by a brilliant ad agency in Istanbul, Turkey.  

It is pretty self-explanatory and sends out a strong message for our environment. The way we’ve been with our environment and its creatures is highlighted in this campaign.

Moreover, how losing vital oceanic beings at an alarming rate impacts our ecosystem is also a message that’s loud and clear.

Hard-hitting? Yes.

Creative? Yes.

Brilliant? Absolutely. 

 

No. 2) Hulk’s Boo Boo Fixer 

Amazingly creative ad campaigns

When imaginations run wild, a brilliant ad copy is born. That’s exactly what happened with this amazingly creative band-aid print ad. 

To promote the flexibility and tensile strength of their band-aid, this print ad was created. It features that when Bruce’s alter ego Hulk takes form, everything is ripped off except the band-aid.

Why? Because it’s THAT flexible.

Really. Full points and more to this one.

Go Organic And GMO Free!Effective Grass-fed Marketing & Advertising Techniques

 

No. 3) A Dog Makes You Happy

Amazingly creative ad campaigns

This ad created for Pedigree tells you how adopting a dog will make your life happier.

Nothing much here, just a minimalist ad with a minimalist message but a huge impact. Amazing, isn’t it?

 

No. 4) Scope Mouthwash Rebranding Ad

Amazingly creative ad campaigns

Sometimes when rebranding is happening, print ads can make the right impact.

This is exactly what happened with this rebranding print ad for Scope Mouthwash created by Todd Perelmuter of Bizadmark.

It doesn’t feature the stereotypical foul-smelling ads. Instead, it promotes courage. Courage to do what you otherwise would hesitate.

Absolutely brilliant.

Stand out.

Class part.

Also Read: Brilliant Radio Ad Campaigns of All time

 

No 5) Sharper Than You Think

This ad has broken all the barriers to creating an effective print ad campaign.

There is nothing worse than cutting with a blunt knife. This is the message behind this creative print ad campaign. 

It gives a very sharp message like that of a sharp knife. It’s eye-catching, it’s interesting, it comes with a message. Just awesome.

 

No 6) Breakfast Means Breakfast

marmite print ad

A popular ad by Marmite, ‘Breakfast means Breakfast’. It came up with a popular yeasty spread.

It carved out an admirable little niche for itself as shorthand for anything that polarises opinion. Marmite has played very well. Well done. 

 

No 7) Open All Night

creative ad

This is a popular print ad by McDonald’s. It is very eye-catching with its striking visuals. It followed the modern and minimal aesthetics of McDonald’s communication.

Its iconic letter ‘M’ becomes the light in the night. Wow, really amazing. This gives the message to its viewers that no matter at what time they want to visit, McDonald’s will be open for them.

 

No 8) A Better Job is Waiting

print ads

This is a print ad campaign for a job portal. Through this campaign, it aims to motivate people to stop slogging it out in a job they don’t like.

It showed photos of bored workers at their desks. They sat for so long hours that mold has grown on their bodies and spiders have a web on them.

Relatable? 

 

No 9) FCK

kfc print ad

This is a print ad campaign of KFC when it ran out of chicken. Saying sorry in a funny way, it apologized to all its chicken eaters.

It had to shut down approximately 900 restaurants in the UK. KFC handled it very responsibly and accepted its problem. 

So, it came up with a print ad apology that went viral as anything.

 

No 10) Delta Dating Wall

delta print ad

Delta said that travelers around the world attract greater swipes, but what if they are not able to afford to go away to snap that perfect profile pic?

So, the Delta Dating Wall tries to address this. This ad can be seen in  Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It features exotic backdrops that you can stand against for a selfie making it interesting in just a few seconds.

Great idea Delta! 

 

No 11) KRAFT Cheese

KRAFT cheese products are said to have extra calcium in them. This ad shows a distorted mouse trap. The mouse has not only escaped the trap but has also broken it.

Clearly portraying that he had already eaten the KRAFT cheese with its extra calcium and gained some extra power.

A clever, creative, cute, and effective print advertisement. Thumbs up to it.

 

No 12) Heinz Hot Ketchup

I think this ad doesn’t require any explanation. The print ad shows it all. The Heinz ketchup is so hot that it even smolders the fries that are dipped into it.

The picture is self-explanatory. Great idea, awesome creativity. Just loved it.

What do you have to say about it?

 

Key Takeaway: Creative Print Ads

So here it is. I showed you the amazingly creative print ads that have appealed to me over these past few years.

Moreover, if you’re planning to run a print ad campaign for your brand and don’t know where or how to begin with it, get in touch with us.

Until then sit back and think creatively! 

Read: Eye-catching Billboard Ads of All Times

 


Successful Business Owners Learn From Mistakes Others Make

Business survival and growth book

The secret to success in business isn’t doing what other successful people have done; it’s by avoiding the mistakes made by businesses that have failed. Instead of repeating their mistakes, now we can learn from them and best ensure business growth and commercial success.

17 Reasons Why Businesses Fail brings the cautionary tales of mistakes made by many businesses that ultimately led to their failure and which other businesses should avoid at all costs if they plan to survive and grow. Get your copy.

 

People are also reading:

You are currently viewing 12 Unbelievably Creative Print Ads (Analyzed & Ranked)