In a world ​​dominated by reels and non-stop notifications, print has found its place in the digital era. ​​What is driving Gen Zs — the first generation of digital natives — to embrace print? 
In this article, we explore why Gen Zs like print, how brands are engaging Gen Zs with print and packaging, and what opportunities does this unlock for printing providers and commercial printers. 

Despite growing up with screens in their hands, Gen Zs are consuming print media by choice. Print delivers an experience that digital can’t: one that feels immersive, unfiltered and distraction-free.  

Gen Z consumers in Asia Pacific (APAC) increasingly crave authenticity. Compared to curated Instagram feeds and algorithm-based content, thoughtfully designed magazines, booklets or packaging feel more genuine. High quality print media is driven by storytelling and craft​​ enabling consumers to hold a tangible piece of creativity in their hands.

For this reason Snail-mail subscription clubs are becoming increasingly popular among Gen Z audiences. A rising number of Gen Z creators have launched monthly mail services, where they design, print and send art, zines and written cards to thousands of subscribers. Each piece of mail is handmade and original, offering an aesthetic experience that feels personal in a way digital content rarely does.

Today’s world is flooded with digital noise where content is measured in seconds and social media trends come and go at lightning speed. As a result, more than half of consumers globally say they feel overwhelmed by technology and suffer from digital fatigue.

Despite being the first generation born into the digital age, Gen Zs are increasingly fatigued by ad-saturated digital spaces. Southeast Asian Gen Z consumers reported being over twice as likely (57%) to feel irritated when exposed to repetitive ads compared with other demographics.

Print offers an escape from this digital overload. Free from pop-up ads, notifications or distractions, Gen Zs are turning to print media to slow down, focus and engage deeply with meaningful content.

With print advertising winning over more consumers than digital, brands are getting creative with print media too. Smart businesses are using print to deliver eye-catching and authentic brand experiences that audiences will remember – not just scroll over. 

Print collectables like magazines can bring a brand’s aesthetic and values to life. This invites readers to engage deeply with the content and view the brand as a trusted source of inspiration. 

For example, Japanese clothing retailer UNIQLO popular with Gen Z shoppers launched its lifestyle magazine LifeWear in 2020, which is available for free in stores around the world. The magazine is not a product catalog. According to Michael Zakrzewski, head of communications, the magazine touches upon “the philosophy that Uniqlo creates, which is lifewear: not just clothing, but apparel that makes life easier for the everyday wearer.” According to Uniqlo, the magazine is crucial in letting customers know what the brand stands for.  

This is a strong example of how brands are taking an omnichannel approach to marketing to target a Gen Z audience. Uniqlo taps on tiktok trends for virality while using print to develop stronger emotional connections with customers and build long-term loyalty.

Marketing materials with an interactive twist could be the answer to getting engagement from a Gen Z audience both online and off. 

To promote its 2026 festival, Singapore HeritageFest crafted special-edition marketing hangers inspired by its mascot, the migratory Pitta bird. Each hanger featured a pop-out illustration that can be assembled into a bird. Only 200 hangers were hung up on the handrails of Singapore’s MRT trains, turning each piece into an exclusive collectible.
Furthermore, the campaign included a clever strategy to combine digital and print engagement. Consumers who posted their cardboard birds on Instagram and tagged @sgheritagefest could win a limited-edition enamel pin.

One Instagram post went viral with 42 million views and 1.9 million likes with the title “The Art of Noticing” of a young person assembling the bird from the hanger while commuting. This post embodies what Gen Z audiences are prioritising – IRL (In Real Life) experiences to blend in or balance their online lives.

Beyond print media, printed packaging makes a powerful impact on the brand experience as well. When thoughtfully designed and beautifully printed, packaging can serve as a keepsake, ensuring that audiences remember the brand and associate it with positive memories.

When youtrip, a multicurrency wallet available in APAC was designing their youtrip 2.0 experience – they redesigned their physical card to “a new and modernised look that accents a transparent window that symbolises the limitless possibilities YouTrip users can experience”. They also redesigned the card packaging that has left a positive first impression on users. Right before they start using their card, they are already impressed with the company – that is the power of packaging.

Rather than going fully digital, more brands are looking to tap into the power of print. For commercial printers and print shops, this opens a clear​​​​ opportunity to win business by delivering high-quality print capabilities.  

These brands are not always printing at scale. Instead, they’re producing smaller, more frequent runs for niche campaigns such as indie festivals, pop-up retail activations or limited-edition lookbooks. What they have in common is a strong focus on impact – they want print that feels premium, with vibrant colour, rich detail and finishes that stand out. 
With the right technology in place, print shops can seize these growing opportunities and become trusted partners in delivering high-value, experience-led print. 

Brands today are looking for short-run print that still feels premium – whether it’s a lifestyle magazine or a marketing hanger. Our cutting-edge production presses are designed to help print providers meet these expectations. The Revoria Press PC1120, for example, features a 6-colour print engine that delivers rich colour and brilliant metallic effects. With smart colour management, you can produce digitally printed proofs accurately and rapidly – at printing speeds of up to 120 pages per minute.  

“Find out how South Korean artist Deumeu unlocked innovative possibilities of the Revoria Press PC1120 to create ‘Island’, a creative work that won the Best Innovation Print Award at the Global IPA 2025.”

To keep up with the changing demands on print, printers need to be versatile and reliable. The Revoria presses offer rich functionality and flexible solutions from paper-handling to advanced post-processing. These digital presses are designed to enable print businesses to seize new opportunities.  

• User Friendly Features - Real time correction can be performed during normal printing operations without needing high-level expertise or special skills.
• Digital Printing - Ideal for short run, high-definition printing. Revoria digital presses supports lower setup cost, faster turnaround times and high customisation with Variable Data Printing. Unlike offset printing, digital machines allow for colour adjustment before printing. This speeds up proofing and minimises resource waste.   
• CMYK+ Specialty Toners - Let your creativity flow with a wider colour gamut and specialty toners that deliver metallic colours, vivid RGB and spot colours as well as textured prints. 

As print finds its place with a new generation of consumers and brands, the right digital printing technology can help your business find new markets ​​With FUJIFILM Business Innovation’s printers, you can take on more high-value jobs and meet shifting demands with speed, quality and efficiency.  

Contact us today to learn more about our innovative printing technologies.