Lessons from Iconic Print Ads that Still Work in 2025
Today, it’s easy to shove print marketing into the dusty archives of “things we used to do.” Digital rules online shopping, with ad campaigns being launched across all touchpoints with potential consumers from work to web browsing and social media.
But here’s the truth—some of the most mind-sticking and sales-boosting ads were born on the printed page. Print media has immense power for creating deep, lasting connections with audiences.
This article is your backstage pass to the greatest print ads ever made—what made them tick, and how you can steal (ahem, adapt) their genius for your own brand. Let’s begin.
Creative print ads still work and here’s why you should care
We understand, choosing the means of advertising is not easy. There’s always the battle of tangible vs intangible, still vs animated, print vs digital, and what’s more effective in reaching your customer. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all, and you should always do what’s best for your business. When it comes to an advertising strategy, it’s necessary to consider your target audience, markets, channels, budgets, tools, and more facets of marketing before actually jumping into it.
Print advertising has several amazing benefits:
- Tangibility—if one can see, touch, and smell it, they can remember it for longer
- Credibility—the effort, cost, and permanence of a print ad make it seem more trustworthy than a digital ad
- Laser focus—you can hit a niche audience via a high-end fashion mag or a local paper
According to Statista, global ad spending in the print advertising market is projected to reach approximately US$32.81 billion in 2025. The largest market within the market is Newspaper Advertising, with a market volume of US$22.66 bn in 2025. The average ad spending per reader in the Newspaper Advertising market is projected to be US$18.98 bn in 2025. This forecast underscores the sustained investment in print media by advertisers worldwide.
With the COVID-19 lockdown, TikTok craze, and general extreme levels of digitization in recent years, naturally, by 2025, there’s a digital marketing fatigue. People are massively quitting social media and getting nostalgic about the good old times before the internet. It might actually be another prime time for print.
For brands that sell tangible products, or whose target audience are heavy press readers—it’s worth experimenting with print advertising in 2025. Nobody says you should drop everything and allocate most of your budget to develop an exclusively branded print media with a monthly subscription. Run tests, launch small-scale campaigns, and see what works for your business.
If you decide to try print marketing, here’s what you should know from the get-go:
- images look different in print
- the higher image resolution, the better print quality
- thoroughly consider your materials
- consider your printer or print service provider even more thoroughly
By the way, Depositphotos has a library of over 300M high-quality files that are perfectly suitable for creative and marketing projects, including print advertising!
What to print and why
🗞️ Magazines and newspapers
These old-school channels still work like a charm for long-form storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals.
🖼️ Billboards
When done right, they’re impossible to ignore. A clever, punchy design can stop people in their tracks (literally).
💌 Direct mail
Personal, tactile, and unexpected—smartly designed mail can cut through the noise and land right in your audience’s hands.
📦 Packaging
Your product’s packaging is a 24/7 brand ambassador. Make it creative, memorable, and worth sharing!
👕 Merchandise
A well-designed T-shirt, tote bag, or coffee mug can keep your brand in customers’ daily routines. Make it stylish, high-quality, and something they actually want to use!
Print advertising for every budget
No matter the size of your business, print can work for you. Here’s how to make the most of it based on your budget:
For established brands ready to go big:
- Secure premium placements in top-tier publications or splash out on billboards in high-traffic areas.
- Go beyond ads—create sponsored content and tell your brand story through full-fledged articles in trusted publications.
- Print materials at industry events can work wonders for visibility! Think brochures, banners, and branded giveaways.
For small to mid-sized businesses on a budget:
- Community newspapers and regional magazines can be an affordable way to get in front of the right eyes.
- Flyers and brochures are simple, cost-effective, and perfect for direct distribution in crowded places.
- Partner up with complementary businesses to co-brand print materials and split advertising costs.
For some brands, it makes sense to promote only digitally, and it’s completely fine. If this is you, we have insightful reads for you too! Check these:
- What is Digital Design? A Comprehensive Guide on its Types, Tools, and Best Practices
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Business in 2025
- How to Create a Social Media Content Calendar in 2025 + Free Template
- Step Into the Future: Graphic Design Trends 2025 + Collection and Infographic
Read about the new contemporary, cluttercore, getting sentimental, and more creative trends shaping 2025 in our flagship report! Stay ahead with the insights by industry leaders, and handpicked collections of audiovisual files from our vast library.
How to do your print so it packs a punch on examples of the best print ad campaigns of all time
Print is about making a statement, and simply slapping a logo on a page won’t cut it. Well, unless you’re selling Apples. But in general, a powerful idea needs to drive your campaign. Here’s how to do print right—tailored to different industries—along with iconic campaigns that showcase true mastery.
Food print advertisements
Tips for effective food print advertising:
- Use appetizing, high-resolution images that highlight the texture and freshness of the food.
- Let the product shine by keeping backgrounds simple and text minimal.
- Explore themes of comfort, nostalgia, or indulgence to build an emotional connection.
Examples of famous print ads promoting food:
McDonald’s “Big Mac Slice”
To celebrate its 60th birthday, McDonald’s cleverly transforms the iconic Big Mac into a perfectly sliced cake, highlighting its signature layers. This visually striking yet minimalist ad plays on the idea of portioning and sharing a beloved classic, reinforcing both the burger’s unmistakable structure and universal appeal.
Chupa Chups “It’s sugar free”
No shouting taglines. No flashy graphics. Just a lollipop on the ground—completely ignored by ants. This print ad speaks volumes through silence, letting the absence of sugar-loving bugs tell everything you need to know. A masterclass in less-is-more advertising.
Heinz “Ketchup Puzzle”
570 pieces, all one color! Heinz turned its iconic ketchup red into a jigsaw puzzle, proving just how unmistakable their shade of red really is. No logo, no words, no nothing—just that deep, rich tomato hue (that you’ll probably start to despise while trying to solve the puzzle).
Homeware print adverts
Tips for effective homeware print advertising:
- Functionality first! Highlight unique product features to showcase real-life value.
- Focus on lifestyle and show home products in real, aspirational settings to create emotional connections.
- Clean, modern designs make homeware products feel premium and desirable.
Examples of amazing homeware print advertisements:
IKEA “Assembly Fail”
Ever messed up an IKEA build? You’re not alone. This brilliantly simple and humorous IKEA print ad features a visibly incorrect assembly of one of their famous furniture pieces—turned sideways and completely wrong. It’s smart, self-aware, and speaks directly to the millions who’ve had their fair share of struggles.
Le Creuset “Counter Couture”
Le Creuset sells homeware so good-looking and high-quality, it outlives generations. This ad features a Le Creuset pot as a statement high-fashion piece, suggesting it deserves a spot on your counter, not hidden away in a cabinet. This approach positions the cookware as both functional and stylish, a must-have accessory for the modern kitchen.
Tefal “Pig, Goat, Chicken”
Tefal’s print ad serves up a visual that’s hard to forget. Each image showcases either a pig, goat, or chicken, skating and sliding off the Tefal pot, highlighting the cookware’s non-stickiness. Humor, minimalist design, and focus on the main subject emphasize Tefal’s message—their cookware delivers exceptional results, no matter the dish.
Tech print advertisements
Tips for effective tech print advertising:
- Show innovation and focus on the most cutting-edge aspects of the product.
- High-tech ads often work best with clean, minimalist layouts.
- A strong call-to-action is your everything. Encourage users to visit stores, websites, scan QR codes, or interact in digital-physical hybrid experiences.
Striking print advertisements examples in tech:
Apple “Think Different”
This campaign is a masterclass in ad brilliance. The series of print ads feature striking black-and-white portraits of legendary figures—think Alfred Hitchcock, Mahatma Gandhi, and Amelia Earhart—paired with the logo and a simple yet profound tagline, “Think different.” No clutter, no disclaimers in small font. Just a powerful message that celebrates the misfits and rebels who push the world forward. It’s a bold statement that honors innovation and subtly aligns Apple’s brand with the genius of these people. A timeless reminder that thinking differently is a necessity to drive progress.
PlayStation “Live in Your World, Play in Ours”
This is one of the most iconic campaigns of Sony’s PlayStation. The series of print ads cleverly juxtapose mundane real-world scenarios with vibrant, immersive gaming experiences. This example features a black-and-white street, contrasted with a burst of color and four recognizable PS symbols. It’s an invitation to escape the ordinary and enter extraordinary universes that PlayStation offers.
Cosmetic and hygiene print ads
Tips for effective cosmetic and hygiene print advertising:
- Use high-quality close-up shots that highlight texture, glow, or cleanliness for sensory appeal.
- Showcase confidence, beauty, and well-being to connect emotionally.
- Let the product shine with sleek, uncluttered designs.
Examples of stunning cosmetic and hygiene print advertisements:
L’Oréal “This is an ad for men”
In this thought-provoking campaign, L’Oréal pairs beauty products with eye-opening stats on gender inequality in leadership. The tagline challenges stereotypes and sparks conversation, underscoring that beauty and competence are not mutually exclusive.
Vaseline “The Cracked Paintings”
Vaseline’s print campaign features images of aged, cracked paintings restored to their original glory, symbolizing how their product heals and rejuvenates dry, cracked skin. This visual metaphor effectively communicates the moisturizing power of Vaseline.
Health and fitness print ads
Tips for effective health and fitness print advertising:
- Showcase movement, energy, and transformation.
- Highlight fitness results or health improvements.
- Use motivational language that resonates with an active audience.
Examples of notable health and fitness print advertisements:
Under Armour “The Only Way Is Through”
This campaign showcases athletes pushing through challenges to achieve greatness. A compelling print ad features an athlete mid-training, drenched in sweat, with the tagline emphasizing that perseverance is key to success. The raw imagery motivates viewers to embrace the grind inherent in fitness journeys.
Equinox “Commit to Something”
The campaign features a series of bold images that challenge viewers to commit fully to their passions whatever they are, including fitness. While one print ad portrays a man receiving all kinds of luxurious care treatments, another shows a woman confidently breastfeeding in public, paralleling the dedication required in everything you want to succeed at. Such a provocative approach raises interesting discussions and underscores the brand’s message of wholehearted commitment.
Environmental print ads
Tips for effective environmental print advertising:
- Tap into urgency and responsibility for emotional appeal.
- Use striking visuals of nature, wildlife, and pollution to drive impact.
- Encourage sustainable behavior and engagement.
Examples of award winning print ads about environment:
WWF “Before it’s too late”
Forests are the planet’s lungs, and this ad makes that impossible to ignore. One side is lush, green, and thriving. The other is starting to gasp. The message hits hard: if we don’t stop deforestation now, we’ll suffocate our planet and eventually ourselves. No sugarcoating! It’s a visual punch that screams—act before it’s too late.
Greenpeace “Plastic Kills”
A fish and a plastic straw is one deadly combination. Greenpeace’s “Plastic Kills” ad doesn’t need a lecture to make you think twice about single-use plastic. A haunting image says it all. It grabs you by the conscience and forces you to see the damage we’re doing here and now. The ocean isn’t a trash can, and this campaign makes sure you never forget it.
Key takeaways
Nothing beats the experience of flipping through a glossy magazine, catching a jaw-dropping billboard on your daily commute, or unboxing a product with packaging so good you can’t help but snap a pic. Print is seen, felt, held, and remembered. And that’s powerful.
Print advertising remains a force to be reckoned with—whether you’re selling beauty, fitness, or sustainability, the right visual and message can create a lasting impact. Ready to put ink to paper and make your brand unforgettable? Check out our library of licensed visuals to get you started.
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