PRINTED ELECTION MATERIALS? YOU’VE GOT OUR VOTE.
In May, voters (and their dogs!) descended upon polling stations up and down the country to cast their votes in a variety of local elections.
While the act of voting itself only takes a few moments to put a cross in a box, the run-up to any election entails weeks and months of relentless campaigning on the part of the candidates and the parties they represent.
The Staying Power of Print in Election Campaigns
Even in today’s digital-first age, the role of physically printed campaign material cannot be underestimated.
Think about it. When was the last time a social ad stayed on your kitchen table for a week?
Digital might be a great way to instantly reach thousands of people at once, but it’s just that – instant. It’s gone in the second that it takes you to flick your thumb up your screen and scroll onto the next viral dance or sports highlight vying for your attention.
Printed materials on the other hand can have a far greater staying power as they’re typically competing with less noise when you come to lay your hands on them.
At a time when our brains are more digitally saturated than ever before, changing the medium can be a real differentiator when it comes to getting your message across.
And given the large number of older voters who are typically less digitally engaged and may not even have social media accounts, any successful campaign needs to reach this key demographic. Printed materials are a great way of spreading awareness around policies and candidates to those who prefer to live life offline.
The Numbers Behind Political Print
Research from Democracy Club revealed the continued importance of print during recent elections:
- 63% of voters in the 2024 general election reported getting information about candidates from leaflets or flyers
- 78% of candidates in 2024 reported using leaflets, newsletters, and flyers
- 52% of spending in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary election went on leaflets
- Over a third of all campaign spending went on leaflets in the 2019 general election
Aside from the ‘stickiness’, demographic coverage, and providing a welcome break from digital bombardment, why are printed leaflets and campaign materials so effective?
As opposed to a fleeting online advert, printed materials feel tangible, deliberate, and local. This gives voters something they can pick up, revisit, and share with others in the household or community.
Election Campaigns Move Fast — So Should Your Printing
When policies change or messaging evolves in response to shifts in polling, candidates need high-quality campaign materials turned around in significant volumes at very short notice.
Whether it’s tens of thousands of leaflets, posters, or direct mail pieces, speed and consistency matter just as much as the message itself.
That’s why the technology behind political print production is so important.
Here at RISO our high-volume inkjet printers allow campaign materials to be produced at speed without compromising on quality or efficiency.
Our technology helps deliver:
- High-speed production for time-sensitive campaign deadlines
- Sharp text and vibrant colour across large print runs
- Reliable, consistent output at volume
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Reduced paper curl and crumpling thanks to cold inkjet technology
- Lower energy usage per printed page
Our cold inkjet technology lends itself particularly well to high-volume election work, resulting in materials that are less likely to curl, crumple, or distort during production.
At the same time, our lower energy consumption per printed page can help reduce operational costs and improve efficiency, which is under the microscope more than ever with rising energy prices and sustainability targets.
See RISO in Action
When campaigns depend on getting the right message in front of the right voters at the right time, reliable print infrastructure becomes a crucial part of the process.
To see how our high-speed printers can help you make a mark, contact our team to book a live demo.