When Paper is Better
Email, paperless bank statements, online newspapers... It seems as though the world is going digital. In the midst of the current emphasis on the web and online interactions, let us take a moment to rethink the pros of printed material for information and message delivery.
The Benefits of Print
Print is tangible. It provides a visceral experience: you can hold it in your hand, feel the weight of the paper, dog-ear a favorite page, and smell the scent of the presses. You can also fold it up and put it in you pocket, stick it on your fridge door, or pack it in your carry-on to read on the plane. It is also extremely accessible, and does not require technology for its access.
Also, Print has an amazing capability of displaying data-rich information. Your canvas can be any size, and because of the extremely high resolution that is possible with printed material, the amount of content that can exist on a page beats out what can be displayed on a computer monitor by a long shot. On top of that, print has a sharp advantage over the web in that there is complete control over the visual display of the content. No worries about system-compatible fonts, font-size and layout inconsistencies, or the display of images. What you design in print, your viewer sees just as you intended!
Conclusion
Although the shift to the digital divide may be inevitable, there will always be times when print is better and a better choice for usability purposes. Printed material provides the benefits of speed, tangibility, freedom for type and layout choices, and ample visual space. Continue to rely on the internet for content that includes less or smaller graphics, shorter text, that does not require variety in typography, and that can benefit from immediate access and frequent updates.
A Print and Web Comparison
| Web | |
| Static | Interactive |
| Linear | Non-Linear |
| Extremely high resolution | Variable and limited resolution |
| Limited to information that can be represented statically on paper | Text, visuals, audio, video possible |
| Full control over visuals – font, size, resolution, image display, layout | Less control over final appearance of content. Variable display based on system, system font, screen resolution, image display, color |
| Slow turnaround from production to delivery | Immediate online access |
| Accessible to all and available | Accessible only to those with internet and only while in front of computer |
| Tangible | Intangible – unless printed out |
| Speed, type, image quality, size of visible space | Less graphics, smaller graphics, shorter text, less variety in typography, less ambiguous layouts |