Print Advertisements: 41 Creative Print Ads You Should See

Do you want to know what print advertisement is? The print advertisements are a promotional method using printed media.

The purpose of print ads is to reach consumers, by using the printed medium, such as magazines and newspapers.

Ad agencies produce on a weekly basis print advertisements that shock, amuse, entertain us but nonetheless, ads that inform us and that make us remember the products.

From the variety of ad agencies, I made a selection of 25 print best creative ads to inspire those working in the industry or simply show you what art directors and copywriters from these agencies are capable of.

Click the images to view them in normal size and get all the significant details of magazine advertisements.

The best print ads you shouldn’t miss

Fairy: Some things are hard to separate

Fairy is a brand of washing-up liquid produced by Procter & Gamble at their West Thurrock factory (The London Plant), in England, launched in 1950.

Fairy liquid print ad is traditionally green, prompting the well-known advertising jingle “Now hands that do dishes can feel as soft as your face with mild green Fairy Liquid”.

Yamaha: Some Make A Jungle Out Of The Road

Yamaha Motor Company Limited is a Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, marine products such as boats and outboard motors, and other motorized products. Over the years, they’ve had a lot of great print advertisement.

More Love

WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, working in the field of wilderness preservation, and the reduction of humanity’s footprint on the environment.

It was formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States. Their magazine ads are seen in a lot of places and make quite an emotional impact in terms of creative advertising.

Playstation

PlayStation is a gaming brand that, as of 2016, includes four home video game consoles, as well as a media center, an online service, a line of controllers, two handhelds and a phone, as well as multiple magazines. It is created and owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

The brand was first introduced on December 3, 1994, in Japan with the launch of the original PlayStation console. Since then, you’ve seen their TV commercials as well as more than a magazine ad all over the place.

Pain without borders: Africa

The steak

The H. J. Heinz Company, or Heinz, is an American food processing company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company claims to have 150 number-one or number-two brands worldwide.

Heinz ranked first in ketchup in the US. And it’s no surprise. They’re having a lot of print famous advertisements produced for them.

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Charal

Nutri Balance

Bad food, bad dog. All the vitamins, all the flavor. An example of the popular advertisements that we saw in the past years.

Condomshop.ch

Colgate

The Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American worldwide consumer products company focused on the production, distribution, and provision of household, healthcare and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products (including toothpaste and toothbrushes). It has one of the best advertisements in the print world, both inspiring and appealing to a big range of consumers.

Banco Financiero

Seiko

Seiko Holdings Corporation, more commonly known simply as Seiko, is a Japanese holding company which manufactures and sells watches, clocks, electronic devices, semiconductors, jewelry, and optical products. Aren’t their print advertising ideas creative? For sure they have some cool good advertisements.

Sama Beirut

Sama Beirut is an upcoming residential, commercial and office tower in the Sodeco region of Beirut, Lebanon.

Fadi Antonios is developing the project, owned by his company, Antonios Projects SAL. Their popular ads are one of the best for the real estate in the Middle Eastern area.

O Estado de Sao Paulo: Global Warming

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s primary purpose is to coordinate the response to disasters occurring in the United States, that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. They have interesting and inspiring advertisement ideas, often given as print ads examples.

Avia Motor Oil: Makes Your Horses Purr

National Road Safety Council

Voltaren

Voltaren (diclofenac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces the level of substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Voltaren is used to treat mild to moderate pain or signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. No need to intrigue me through a magazine advertisement. I know it works.

Viking LMow

You can have a perfect lawn with little or no effort. The iMow robotic mowers do most of the work for you. Once programmed, they mow the lawn automatically, avoiding obstacles and mastering hilly terrain. Once the work is done or their batteries need charging, they automatically return to the docking station. And because of iMow works so fast, you can enjoy your lawn unhindered. And their good ads too!

Omax: Wide Angle Lenses

It’s extremely rare to find a tasteful print advertising campaign that uses sex and clever humor to perfectly define the qualities of a technology product. This series of print ads for Omax wide-angle lenses is one of them.

Hungry for more great ads?

Yes, we have some more advertising examples.

Uno Stacko

UNO Stacko is one of the many variations of the card game Uno. This game is a block-stacking tower game which combines the gameplay of Uno and that of Jenga.

There are two versions of the game: the earlier version requires the use of a die, while later versions eliminate the die, making the gameplay closer to Jenga. Their cool advertisements are appealing to both parents and children.

Now, if you want to create posters like this one, you should try a poster-maker tool like the one from Venngage.

KitchenAid Blender

KitchenAid Blenders combine outstanding performance, durability and a clean design to perform everyday kitchen tasks from making smoothies to pureeing vegetables for soup, to crushing ice and making pesto. This blender features a 56 oz shatter-resistant blend & serve pitcher. Its soft grip handle is comfortable and the jar’s lighter weight allows for anyone to use, including kids. Their creative advertisement tell all this in a simple inspiring photo!

Precision Laser Tattoo Removal

Onida Mobiles

Mint Vinetu Bookstore: Become Someone Else

Mint Vinetu is a bookshop of used books, where good people meet.

One can buy popular and cheap books recommended by others, in English or Lithuanian. Read, while sipping mint or cinnamon tea, use free and fast wireless internet. Good job for the print cool ads series.

Lexum European Eye Clinic

Lexum European Eye Clinic was established in 1993 and is nowadays one of the largest clinics in the world. Twenty years ago, they were the first in the Czech Republic to perform laser vision correction. Their advertising ads are as creative as their high-end medical technology.

Ford Explorer: With Rear View Camera

The Ford Explorer is a full-size, sports utility vehicle produced by the American manufacturer Ford since 1991. Since 2011, it is based on a crossover platform. The Ford Explorer became one of the most popular sport utility vehicles on the road. The model years 1991 through 2010 were traditional body-on-frame, mid-size SUVs. Have you seen their print advertisements examples when they were released? Let me know on Twitter.

Corona Beer: Drink Responsibly

Corona Extra is a pale lager produced by Cervecería Modelo in Mexico, aimed for domestic distribution and export to all other countries besides the United States, and by Constellation Brands in Mexico for export to the United States. Check their advertisements examples for their interesting images and ideas.

Gold’s Gym

Gold’s Gym International, Inc. is an American chain of international co-ed fitness centers originally started in California by Joe Gold. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment, group exercise classes and personal trainers to assist clients. Their interesting ads cannot be ignored.

Pringle of Scotland

Pringle of Scotland is a luxury knitwear manufacturer and importer. The company has stores in London’s Bond Street, Sloane Street and Bluewater Shopping Centre as well as in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan and is sold by retailers in New York City and Milan. Their clever ads are so cute!

McDonald’s: Come As You Are

McDonald’s is an American hamburger and fast food restaurant chain. It was founded in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand, using production line principles. They always create famous ads in line with the newest fast food trends.

Luftal: Not Everyone Can

Certain smells pollute your nose with a lasting and putrid stench, and the Luftal ‘Not Everyone Can’ interesting advertisements frame some of these stinky scenarios. Set in a morgue, at a fish market and out the back of a garbage truck, this mephitic campaign paints quite a sensory picture for more than the eyes alone.

Able to psychologically jog your imaginative sense of smell, these DraftFCB print ads propose a solution to the odors in life and work that can be controlled — namely, gas. Flatulence is a common problem, and not everyone can hold it in, nor can everyone tolerate such olfactory offensiveness.

The Luftal ‘Not Everyone Can’ graphic design ad campaign plays with the diversity of such a statement, especially as it applies to the onset of gastric surgery.

Toronto Crime Stoppers print advertisement

Glad Cling Wrap

Glad ClingWrap grips tight seals easily and protect the food you love, helping to keep it fresher and longer. It’s easy to handle, microwave‐safe and contains no plasticizers, so you can reheat it confidently. Include it in the category of interesting advertisements.

Art Directors Club

Pizza And Love: We Make Pizza Not War

Pizza & Love is a Spanish restaurant chain. Founded in Barcelona, Spain, this pizza joint is marketing itself for its sustainable practice of sourcing organic ingredients for all recipes. They have powerful ads that make you hungry.

Saridon: For Persistent Headaches

Saridon is an analgesic combination indicated for the management of a headache. The combination is designed to produce effective analgesia with a fast onset of action in 15 minutes, as compared to paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin alone. They have creative advertisement pictures too!

Blundstone

Blundstone Footwear is an Australian footwear manufacturer, based in Hobart, Tasmania. The company’s best-known product is its line of laceless, elastic-sided, ankle-length boots, featured in powerful advertisements.

FAQ about creative print advertisements

What’s the secret to making a creative print ad?

Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a few key ingredients can go a long way. You’ll want to start with an eye-catching visual, something that grabs the reader’s attention immediately. Then, you need a strong concept, one that is both unique and relevant to your target audience. Finally, make sure your ad copy is concise and impactful. A combination of these elements should result in a truly creative print advertisement.

How important is the use of color in print ads?

Color can play a massive role in the success of a print ad. Different colors evoke different emotions, and by strategically choosing colors that align with your brand and message, you can create a more powerful connection with your audience. Additionally, color can help your ad stand out from the competition, especially in a cluttered print environment. Just be careful not to go overboard, as too many colors can become visually overwhelming.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in print ad design?

There are a few traps you’ll want to steer clear of when designing a print ad. For starters, avoid cluttering your ad with too much text or too many images. Keep it simple and focused. Also, ensure that your ad is easy to read, with clear fonts and a legible layout. Lastly, don’t forget to proofread your ad copy, as even small errors can detract from the overall quality and effectiveness of your advertisement.

What role does typography play in a print ad?

Typography is a crucial aspect of any print ad. The right choice of font, size, and style can reinforce your message and create a memorable impression on your audience. Conversely, poor typography can make your ad difficult to read or understand, resulting in a wasted opportunity. Remember, the goal is to communicate your message effectively, so be sure to choose a font and layout that are legible and visually appealing.

How can I ensure my print ad is memorable?

To create a memorable print ad, you’ll want to focus on the elements that make it unique and engaging. This includes a strong concept, eye-catching visuals, and impactful copy. Additionally, consider using elements of surprise or humor, as these can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Just make sure that your ad is still relevant to your target audience and conveys the intended message clearly.

How can I make my print ad stand out from the competition?

Standing out from the competition requires a combination of creativity, relevance, and originality. A unique visual, a strong concept, and well-written copy can help distinguish your ad from others. Additionally, consider leveraging trends or timely topics, as this can make your ad feel fresh and relevant. Just remember, the key is to be authentic and true to your brand identity.

Should print ads always include a call-to-action?

Including a call-to-action (CTA) in your print ad can be extremely beneficial, as it gives your audience a clear direction on what to do next. This can be anything from visiting your website to making a purchase. However, not all print ads require a CTA, especially those focused on brand awareness or image building. In such cases, the primary goal is to leave a lasting impression on the audience, rather than prompting immediate action.

How can I measure the success of my print ad campaign?

Measuring the success of a print ad campaign can be challenging, but there are a few ways to gauge its effectiveness. You can track changes in sales, website traffic, or customer inquiries following the launch of your ad. Additionally, consider using unique URLs, QR codes, or promo codes in your ads, as these can help you track which print ads are driving the most engagement or conversions.

Is it better to use photography or illustration in print ads?

The choice between photography and illustration ultimately depends on the message you want to convey and the overall tone of your ad. Photography can lend a sense of realism and authenticity, which can be highly effective in certain situations. On the other hand, illustrations can bring a more stylized, creative, or whimsical touch to your ad, allowing you to visually communicate abstract ideas or concepts. Consider your brand identity, target audience, and campaign objectives when making your decision.

What’s the future of print advertising in the digital age?

While it’s true that digital advertising has grown significantly in recent years, print advertising still holds a valuable place in the marketing mix. Print ads can offer a tactile, personal experience that’s difficult to replicate in the digital world. They can also reach specific demographics or niche markets that may not be as engaged with digital platforms. As long as print media exists, there will likely be a place for creative print advertisements, though the strategies and techniques may continue to evolve.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu, a seasoned designer with 15 years of diverse experience, has been designing websites since 2008.

Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.

His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.