We live in an age where sending and receiving digital communications is a common aspect of our daily lives. Whether it’s communicating with our friends and family or catching up on the latest news, digital media is ingrained within our daily lives, and we would find it difficult to go a day without it.
For people to stay connected and for businesses to continue operating throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the world had no other option but to adapt to digital forms of communication, increasing the importance of digital solutions for many of us.
The accessibility of information and ease of staying connected with our loved ones would make you think that digital forms of communication are favoured in today’s society.
But with so much choice on how to receive media digitally, does print still have a place? Let’s discuss.
Is Print in the Past?
It is easy to assume that print’s purpose within society is depleting as we continue to see more and more developments in today’s digital environment.
However, print continues to have its say, with many consumers still opting to receive their communications this way. A global study conducted by Two Sides North America found people still preferred to read the printed versions of:
- Books (72%)
- Magazines (72%)
- Newspapers/News (55%)
In addition, many choose print over digital due to the implications on their health. The research conducted found that 53% consumers believe the overuse of digital devices could have damaging effects on their health & well-being. It is clear to see that print continues to serve its purpose in a predominantly digital age, but why do many still prefer receiving a physical copy when it comes to their latest read?
The Benefits of Print
- Comprehension of Information
It is much easier to absorb information when reading from a piece of paper rather than a computer screen. This is not because the digital information is more difficult to read, but because your mind is more likely to wander off when reading from a screen. Scientific American conducted research looking into this debate and concluded that screens can often distort the navigation of text, which can often cause user stress. The study also proved that the experience of turning a page can have positive effects on the user reading experience.
- Stimulation of Emotions
The texture of a page or the smell of a new book are all senses that have been proven to stimulate the reader and enhance the emotional connection to the media they are reading. A 2014 study found that readers can experience different emotions depending on texture, with smooth textures helping create feelings of relief and comfort. Trust is also an important factor in improving reading experiences. A German study found that 54% of people trusted physical advertisement forms compared to a mere 16% seeing digital ads as more trustworthy.
- Sense of Security
By the majority of people, print media is considered to be much safer compared to digital media. Printed forms of communication avoid the threat of cyber-attacks and data privacy issues. People are more concerned now than ever before about how their personal information is stored and gathered, with 78% of US consumers believing that storing personal documents at home is the safest method of storing information.
There is no doubt that print is still alive and well within today’s digital environment, with traditional and tangible forms of communication still favoured by many across the globe.
Learn more about the significance of printed forms of communication here