Print Came Out on Top at the House of Commons

Print came out on top at the House of Commons. During a July heatwave, Committee Room 9 filled with industry leaders debating whether campaigns that include print are more effective. The motion, hosted by the IPIA and chaired by Liberal Democrat MP Rachel Gilmour, attracted a packed audience. Printers, suppliers, agencies, and trade media gathered to see print pitched against digital. Read the full Printweek coverage of the House of Commons debate.

The opening count revealed few hands opposed to the motion. That wasn’t surprising. The room was full of print specialists who know the strength of tangible media. Still, the debate highlighted valuable insights from both sides.

The Case for Print

Speaking for print, Angus George of Ogilvy UK captured the room with a simple message: print works. He stressed that in an age of fleeting digital content, print brings permanence. Its weight, tactility, and presence make campaigns memorable. He reminded everyone that print builds trust, creates gravitas, and holds attention in ways screens often cannot.

Gemma Greaves echoed his point. She painted a picture of leaflets on desks, brochures on fridges, and posters on the street. She explained how print lingers in homes and workplaces, long after a digital ad disappears. For her, print extends stories told by other media. TV stirs emotion, but print sustains it. Posters and leaflets build recognition, repetition, and reputation.

Both speakers reinforced what we see every day at Ronset. Print is never passive. It demands presence. It connects through touch and sight, making brands feel real.

The Case for Digital

Of course, the digital side also argued strongly. Missy Clements of 7dots and Ellie Hale of Reflect Digital made clear that campaigns succeed when they focus on people, not media formats. They showed how digital excels in reach, targeting, and timing. For Gen Z in particular, smartphones dominate brand discovery. These audiences live in stories and feeds, not letterboxes.

Digital allows personalisation, re-engagement, and relevance. It can deliver frictionless user journeys, making actions easier. Their point was that effectiveness doesn’t come from adding print automatically. Instead, it comes from intelligent use of data and integrated strategies.

Where Print and Digital Meet

The final votes showed print carried the motion, but both sides agreed on something important. Campaigns are most effective when print and digital integrate. Print brings trust and memory. Digital brings reach and precision. Together, they create campaigns that stick emotionally and drive measurable results.

At Ronset, we’ve always believed in this balance. Our work with clients across the North West shows how powerful it is when print supports digital. A striking leaflet campaign can drive traffic online. A bold poster can echo a social ad, reinforcing the message. A printed programme can extend the life of an event far beyond the day itself.

Why Print Still Leads

The debate proved once again that print holds a unique place in marketing. It cuts through digital noise. Offers sanctuary from endless notifications. It lingers long after a browser is closed. Print holds attention because it can be touched, kept, and shared. That permanence creates trust and credibility.

Ronset has honed its craft for decades. From large format banners to high-quality digital print runs, our presses deliver outstanding flexibility and speed. Clients choose us because we know how to make print work within modern campaigns. Whether it’s leaflets, posters, or exhibition graphics, we ensure every piece carries impact.

The Ronset Difference

At Ronset, we’ve always invested in the best print technology. Our digital printing capability is among the most comprehensive in the North West. That means we can deliver large format projects as easily as smaller bespoke runs. Over the years, we’ve worked with schools, charities, businesses, and agencies who know that quality print makes a difference.

The House of Commons debate confirmed what we already know. Campaigns that include print really are more effective. But they’re even stronger when combined with digital. That’s where Ronset excels – providing print that integrates seamlessly with the rest of your marketing mix.

Conclusion

Print came out on top at the House of Commons, but the debate highlighted more than just rivalry. It showed respect for both print and digital, and how together they shape campaigns that connect. For Ronset, that’s the future we continue to build. By honing our print skills and investing in cutting-edge presses, we help clients create marketing that lasts.

Print works. It lands, lingers, and leaves an impression. At Ronset, we make sure it always does. Explore our professional printing services