Bring Your Print Materials to Life with Augmented Reality

In today’s fast-paced world, print marketing continues to hold a unique and tangible appeal. With the addition of augmented reality (AR), it’s evolving into something even more powerful. AR enhances traditional print materials by layering interactive digital elements over physical designs, transforming how audiences experience and engage with brands. Bridging the gap between print and digital, AR helps create deeper connections, builds brand awareness, and strengthens customer loyalty.

What is augmented reality in print marketing?

AR takes a static piece of print content and transforms it into a digital element in the real world via devices like a smartphone or tablet. Examples include images, videos, sounds, and other interactive elements like 3D models. AR adds an interactive layer, making static materials more dynamic and giving users a new way to engage with the content and your brand. AR captures the attention of audiences that print or digital media alone cannot achieve.

How does augmented reality work?

Audiences use a mobile device’s camera or a specialized app to scan a QR code or image in a printed material. The device recognizes the specific code and overlays interactive content on the screen, making your print materials come to life. 

Looking to add a QR code to your next print material? Contact us for a personalized quote!

Why combine augmented reality with print media?

There are numerous reasons why you should consider adding augmented reality to your print materials. Seamlessly blending print and digital is the future of marketing and the sooner you can learn how to most effectively do this, the better!

Increased Engagement

In a noisy world, every brand knows how difficult it is to maintain the attention of audiences and increase engagement. Adding a dynamic, interactive element like AR that offers your readers a new experience gives them a reason to stick around and engage with your content. AR is also a great way to personalize messaging, creating deeper connections with your audience.

Higher Retention & Stronger Conversions

When users can physically see what your brand has to offer and how they fit into that, retention and conversions increase substantially. Audiences will stick around to engage with your content when there is an AR element, often leading them to further explore your brand through the seamless print and digital pathway that AR can support. This can lead them to your website, building brand awareness and loyalty, increasing conversions, and leaving a lasting impression with your audience.

Enhanced Storytelling

While print materials can convey your brand’s story well, it does so even better when paired with AR. AR offers brands a way to enhance their storytelling by making their content come to life around the user. Brands can create targeted, customized content that resonates with the user, driving conversions and brand awareness.

Trackable Insights

AR-enabled print materials offer valuable insights for marketers that print alone cannot. AR tracks metrics such as scan rates, time spent interacting with the content, and conversion actions. This data allows you to better understand what resonates with your audience.

Cross-Channel Integration

AR creates a direct link between print and digital channels, creating a smoother user journey for increased conversions and better brand loyalty. Making it as easy as possible for users to get to your website will help your cause and drive traffic to your digital channels.

Interested in adding AR to your next print campaign? We can help print your materials. Get in touch for a free quote.

Examples of how to implement augmented reality in print campaigns.

The opportunities for implementing AR with print campaigns is endless. We’re going to touch on a few of the best ways to implement AR in your next print campaign.

Brochures

Brochures are typically used to provide further information on a product or service that a brand is offering. AR can enhance the information and make things clearer for the user by showcasing it in an engaging way. 

For example, a retirement home may be detailing the features of their facility in a brochure to prospective families and their loved ones. By utilizing AR to show a 3-D model of their home in the real-world, families can better understand the property and all it has to offer.

Direct Mail

Brands know the importance of direct mail as a print marketing material despite the overwhelming growth of digital. For example, marketing collaterals like coupons or flyers can unlock rewards and promotions or drive consumers to your website.

Educational Materials

Textbooks and other educational materials are using AR to make learning more engaging and memorable. Students can scan diagrams or images in their textbooks to see 3D models or watch informative videos, breaking down complex subjects into information they understand. 

For example, in fields such as science and medicine, AR is proving particularly useful for students to explore complex structures and the human body through 3D models that they can directly engage with.

Posters & Flyers

Posters and flyers typically have a very small window of time to grab the attention of someone passing by. Using AR on your poster or flyer is a great way to inspire curiosity and grab attention, increasing the chances of someone spending the time to read your content. AR also offers a unique and fun way of displaying information to users, giving them a snapshot of your messaging on their device.

Magazines

Depending on the content in your magazine, it might be better shown in motion rather than simply a static image on a page. Brands stand out when they incorporate AR in their magazines, allowing users to better understand the content, see themselves or your products in the real-world, or get a behind-the-scenes look at your brand. AR makes a magazine experience more memorable and engaging, encouraging consumers to spend more time on your brand messaging.

Ready to update your materials for your next campaign? We can help print them. Get in touch for a free quote.

Use AR in your next print marketing campaign!

AR is transforming print marketing by bridging together physical materials and digital experiences. By integrating AR into print materials, brands bring static content to life, inviting audiences to engage, explore, and interact in new and memorable ways. From educational materials that showcase 3D models to scannable posters and flyers that launch immersive videos, AR enhances storytelling and increases engagement, strengthening brand loyalty and driving conversions. As technology continues to evolve, blending print with AR offers marketers a powerful way to capture attention, deliver added value, and create experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Let’s bring your ideas to life and create print solutions that work for your brand. Contact us today for expert guidance and a free quote!