How to Track the ROI of Your Print Marketing Campaigns

When investing in any marketing, you must track your return on investment (ROI). It’s how you figure out whether your efforts are paying off. That’s just as true for print advertising as it is for digital marketing campaigns.

However, print marketing has a reputation for being harder to measure because it lacks the built-in tracking tools that digital platforms have. Connecting specific actions or sales to print ads usually requires a bit more effort.

But, tracking print advertising ROI is possible with the right strategies.

Here’s how you can move past guesswork and start using data to make your campaigns more effective, brought to you by our Reno print shop.

Why Tracking ROI in Print Advertising Is Challenging

With digital advertising, you have automated tools tracking clicks, impressions, and conversions in real time. Print campaigns, on the other hand, require more effort to link results back to your ads.

Attribution Issues

One of the biggest hurdles is figuring out where your leads or sales are coming from, especially if you have multiple marketing campaigns—like digital ads, social media ads, or email marketing—running simultaneously. Without clear tracking tools, even the most effective print ads can get overlooked.

Misconceptions About Print Ads

Some marketers mistakenly assume print media is ineffective or outdated because it doesn’t provide instant feedback like digital marketing campaigns. The reality is, print advertising works—but it requires deliberate tracking strategies to measure their true impact.

How to Measure ROI on Print Advertising: Proven Strategies

We know print is effective. But how effective, you ask? Here are some tried-and-true ways to find out:

Use Unique Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

A great way to track responses from your print ads is to include something unique that ties directly back to the campaign, such as QR codes, custom URLs, or unique promo codes.

For example, a dental print ad running a tooth whitening discount could include a QR code linking to a landing page with the offer details. Alternatively, you could use personalized URLs (PURLs)—custom links made for specific customers or groups.

Track Coupon Redemptions or Discounts

Coupons are perfect for ROI tracking. Include coupons that are only available in your print materials, such as “Bring this ad in for 20% off” or “Use code PRINT20 at checkout.” You’ll know exactly how many sales came directly from your campaign based on how many offers are redeemed.

Incorporate Tracking Numbers

Assign a unique phone number to each Reno printing campaign to track its effectiveness. Every time that specific number rings, you’ll know the inquiry came from your ad. It’s a practical solution that integrates easily into your existing operations.

Monitor Website Traffic

Print advertising materials can also drive online engagement. Keep an eye on your website analytics after distributing print materials. A sudden spike in visits—especially to a particular landing page tied to your ad—can indicate how well your campaign is working.

Leverage Surveys or Feedback Forms

Sometimes, the simplest way to find out if your print ad worked is to ask. Include a quick survey or ask customers how they heard about your business. Add prompts to your print advertisement like, “Mention this ad for 10% off!” to simplify tracking.

Key Metrics to Assess the ROI of Effective Print Ads

To figure out how well your print ads are working, you’ll need to monitor a few key metrics, such as:

Customer Response Rate

Customer Response Rate (CRR) measures how many people took action after seeing your ad. For example, if you sent out 1,000 flyers and 50 people responded, your response rate is 5%.

Cost Per Lead (CPL)

CPL tells you how much it costs to get a single lead. Divide your total print advertising campaign cost by the number of leads it generates. If you spent $2,000 on a direct mail campaign and gained 100 leads, your CPL is $20. Lower CPL means your ad is working efficiently.

Conversion Rate

Not all leads turn into customers. The conversion rate shows the percentage of leads that result in a sale. If you got 100 leads and 20 became customers, you have a 20% conversion rate.

Revenue Generated

The ultimate measure of success is the total sales your campaign brought in. Add up all the sales directly linked to your print ad to see its financial impact.

Tips for Maximizing Print Advertising ROI

Follow these tips to make your print advertising campaigns more effective and drive better results.

Target the Right Audience

Physically printed media will only perform well if it reaches the right people. Use segmentation to narrow down your target audience based on factors like age, location, or interests. Next, customize your message and delivery to make sure your Reno print shop materials resonate with those most likely to act.

Optimize the Design for Engagement

First impressions matter. Create designs with bold, eye-catching visuals and an easy-to-read layout. Remember to include a strong, clear call-to-action (CTA) so readers know exactly what to do next—whether it’s visiting your website or claiming a discount.

Integrate Print with Digital

Print and digital advertising campaigns are stronger together. Combining the two allows you to engage customers across multiple platforms.

You can:

• Add scannable QR codes in your print materials to direct customers to specific landing pages, exclusive promotions, or product pages.
• Include social media handles or hashtags in your print ads to encourage readers to interact with your brand online.
• Use custom URLs or promo codes unique to your print campaign.

Multi-channel tracking gives you a fuller, clearer picture of your ad’s impact.

Evaluate and Adjust Campaigns

After each campaign, take time to review what worked and what didn’t. Use data from metrics like response rates, conversions, and revenue to refine your approach.

Once you’ve gathered the numbers, dig deeper for patterns or insights:

• Did one specific design element or offer outperform the others?
• Was the particular audience segment you targeted the right one?
• Were there external factors—like timing or distribution method—that may have affected results?

Treat every campaign as a learning experience, and over time, you’ll build a more effective, data-driven print advertising strategy.

The Role of Technology in Tracking Print Marketing Performance

Technology has revolutionized print advertising. Innovations like QR codes, augmented reality (AR)-enabled ads, and advanced tracking tools have transformed how businesses measure the success of their print campaigns.

QR codes, for instance, allow customers to scan a code and instantly access landing pages, special promotions, or product details. They offer precise data on customer engagement—like how many scans a code received and when.

AR-enabled ads take things a step further. Customers can point their phones at a printed ad and see animations, videos, or 3D models. Engaging elements like these distinguish your ad and capture user behavior through app activity.

As print continues to evolve, these technologies can help you measure impact, engage customers, and prove the value of your campaigns with real numbers.

Launch a Successful Print Campaign with Digiprint

Measuring print advertising ROI doesn’t have to be complicated. With the strategies mentioned above, you can confidently assess the success of your campaigns.

Don’t buy into the myth that print advertising is too old-school to track. Instead, embrace the tools and methods that make it easy to see what’s working.

Ready to take your print campaigns to the next level? At Digiprint, we bring your vision to life with high-quality printing, innovative solutions, and fast, reliable service.

Reach out to us today.