Print automation for direct mail marketing helps companies execute strategic, highly-targeted campaigns that leverage the power of print to engage and drive customers to act. But print automation also makes it easier for marketers to understand the ROI of their direct mail campaigns in order to better allocate print marketing dollars and resources. 

Compared with digital communication channels like email, direct mail has a greater capacity to produce robust response rates and a deeper, more personal connection with a brand, product, or service. The ability of print to resonate in this way is part of the reason why marketers continue to leverage direct mail campaigns as part of their print communications budget. 

A recent survey found that more than 50% of consumers prefer print notices over electronic notifications for customer communications such as account summaries, invoices, and billing statements — and the percentage is actually greater for more critical customer communications such as insurance policy overviews, property tax statements, medical bills, and financial statements like quarterly earnings reports from stock market investments. 

Here’s the good news for marketers seeking a viable alternative to crowded digital channels: Postcard direct mail programs are a simple, cost-effective way to create personalized marketing communications that can speak to highly targeted audiences in ways that drive robust response rates and meaningful ROI.

A recent study found that 82% of those surveyed trust print advertising over any other communication channel. Additionally, a related survey revealed that 79% of consumers are more apt to respond to a print call-to-action compared with just 45% with emails or other digital channels.

It’s clear the pathway for print is wide open, and print-on demand (POD) has emerged as a valuable tool in helping companies leverage the flexibility, speed, and real-time consumer data necessary to deliver timely, highly targeted, and personalized print that can help drive growth.

The insurance industry is one that’s predicated on print. Even as many other industries make the transition to digital channels for transactional documents like account overviews and statements, it makes sense that insurers continue to rely on print communications as almost 75% of consumers prefer print for things like bills or invoices; and more than one-third of those surveyed are more favorable toward print specifically for insurance information.  

The world of commercial print is constantly changing and evolving. The last 30 years have seen massive leaps in print technology, from  digital and inkjet presses that can achieve the same quality as offset to robotics and advanced automation, and Quantum Group makes strategic investments in these print technologies to provide our customers with the highest quality print work, at the fastest speed and with the lowest environmental impact. 

Quantum's 2021 Second Quarter Paper & Trend Analysis - Cautiously Optimistic

Spring brings rapid change, and this quarter’s Q2 Outlook is no stranger to it.  We will summarize the variety of challenges facing procurement in the print marketplace (surprise hint: it’s just not paper!).  Also in this month’s report:  Big wins for Quantum and myself personally as we earned 13 Great Lakes Graphics Association - Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA) contest, including multiple Best of Category and Division awards.