Augmented Reality Printing: 5 Ways AR Can Enhance Print Media

September 15, 2025

Print has always been a tangible, trusted, and impactful medium. But today, the way businesses connect with audiences is evolving, and the lines between physical and digital marketing are blurring. 

Augmented reality printing merges traditional print with interactive digital layers to give customers a reason to look twice, scan, and engage.

Instead of a static brochure or flyer, customers can point their phone at your print piece and instantly unlock a 3D product demo, a video tutorial, or even a personalized offer. AR printing makes every page, package, or display a gateway to strengthen engagement, build brand loyalty, and drive measurable results.

In this article, you’ll see how AR is changing the way print media works and explore practical ways your brand can use it, from marketing campaigns to packaging and education.

How Augmented Reality (AR) Elevates Print Media

AR can adapt to nearly any printed format. Brands create experiences that inform, entertain, and persuade by layering digital elements onto physical media, all while keeping the tactile appeal of print intact.

Enhances customer engagement

Print can command consumer attention, but augmented reality printing gives you a way to keep it longer. When a reader scans a brochure, poster, or product catalog, the page can instantly unlock a video, a 3D model, or even a shoppable link. That simple shift turns passive viewing into active participation. 

Instead of flipping through pages, people tap, rotate, and explore—actions that translate into deeper brand interactions and higher recall. AR printing bridges curiosity with action, making every printed piece a two-way conversation rather than a one-sided message.

Strengthens storytelling and brand recall

Augmented reality in print media can add another dimension to storytelling through digital immersion. You can embed behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, or product animations directly onto your printed campaigns. 

For example, a car brochure can describe interior features while letting readers see them in 3D, rotate the model, and switch colors. Through this unique experience, your audience can retain information more, raising both brand perception and message retention.

Provides measurable insights

Augmented printing is one of the latest technologies wherein every scan, interaction, and click can be measured. You’ll know how many people engaged, how long they stayed, and what actions they took afterward. These analytics help refine campaigns, guide budget allocation, and prove ROI. Your print media becomes as measurable and agile as digital marketing channels, giving you the data you need to keep improving.

Augmented Reality in Print: Examples and Practical Applications

The benefits of AR in print are best understood by looking at how it’s applied across different formats. Here are some examples of how AR can turn printed materials into platforms for richer storytelling, engagement, and customer interaction.

1. Marketing and direct mail campaigns

When scanned, direct mail such as postcards, flyers, or catalogs with embedded AR markers can unlock videos, product demonstrations, or clickable shopping links. These markers (e.g., printed icons, QR codes, or image triggers) transform mail into an interactive touchpoint that blends its hands-on value with actionable insights, presenting a clear path from print to action.

Some campaigns using AR in direct mail have achieved high response rates. Vodafone ran an AR direct mail campaign developed by WebAR agency Aircards, designed so recipients could access it instantly from any iOS or Android device.

The printed mailers contained scannable AR markers that triggered an experience directly in the mobile browser, launching a branded video message alongside interactive promotional offers. These lowered barriers to entry made it simple for customers to engage, significantly boosting response rates compared to standard mail. 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) also used a similar approach when launching its Primera enterprise software. HPE distributed flyers embedded with AR triggers that transported recipients into one of three virtual locations.

Within the experience, users could interact with branded environments and follow prominent call-to-action buttons leading to HPE’s microsite. The result was a campaign that achieved click-through rates above 30%, demonstrating how direct mail enhanced with AR can deliver both memorable engagement and measurable business results.

2. Product catalogs and brochures

Sales materials already deliver strong visual and tactile impact, but AR expands their capacity by layering digital content onto printed pages. Catalogs and brochures can trigger 360-degree product views, alternate color options, or even virtual try-ons for apparel and cosmetics. This enriches the traditional browsing experience by giving customers tools to explore products in greater depth without leaving the page.

Retailers and manufacturers are already applying AR digital printing in ways that simplify decision-making for consumers. IKEA’s AR catalog, for example, allows customers to scan images and virtually place furniture in their own homes through their smartphones. 

In the automotive sector, dealerships now use virtual showrooms and 3D car spins that customers can access through brochures or online listings. Platforms powered by AI streamline this with studio-grade visuals, interactive walkthroughs, and even virtual test drives, making remote car shopping richer and more immersive.

3. Packaging and retail experiences

AR can also turn packaging into an interactive channel that extends far beyond the store shelf. A quick scan can reveal recipes, product tutorials, or the story behind a brand, while gamified features such as hidden rewards or mobile quizzes encourage repeat engagement. In turn, the packaging captures attention at the point of sale while continuing to build loyalty once the product is in the customer’s hands.

Coca-Cola has experimented with AR packaging in several campaigns. One recent example is their Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy promotion, which featured collectible cans and bottles printed with franchise characters and scannable QR codes. 

The codes unlocked an AR experience where fans could create and share holographic-style messages, echoing the transmissions from the films. This campaign turned a limited-edition product into a digital engagement tool that encouraged participation and sharing well beyond the initial purchase.

4. Business cards and corporate communication

Business cards and corporate handouts are most effective when they provide quick access to the right information. AR printing solutions make this possible by linking print directly to digital actions. A scan can trigger a one-tap option to save contact details, launch an explainer video, or open a project showcase without requiring a separate search. Event materials can guide attendees to schedules, maps, or live updates, helping them navigate seamlessly.

The benefit is that these assets remain useful long after the initial exchange. Companies can update the linked digital content as products, services, or contact details change without needing a reprint. This adaptability ensures that even simple pieces of print collateral stay current and relevant. Companies can reduce friction in communication, streamline networking, and create collateral that continues to deliver value over time.

5. Education, training, and publishing

In education, AR is reshaping how learning materials and publications deliver information. Textbooks can incorporate interactive 3D diagrams, animations, and real-time translations that make complex topics easier to grasp. Training manuals enhanced with AR provide step-by-step overlays directly on equipment or schematics, reducing the reliance on lengthy written instructions and improving accuracy in technical tasks.

Publishing is also evolving. Book covers and pages can link to bonus content such as author commentary, behind-the-scenes insights, or quizzes. Children’s books allow for more immersive learning experiences as they benefit from AR features that bring characters and concepts to life.

Meanwhile, innovations such as adaptive AR lessons, collaborative multi-user training modules, and integration with AR glasses can potentially expand how augmented printing supports education and professional development in the future.

 

The Next Chapter in Print

AR bridges the strengths of physical media with the immediacy of digital experiences. From QR codes on brochures to immersive packaging and labels, these applications show how print can capture attention, deliver information, and build loyalty in ways that purely digital channels often can’t. 

At Intermedia Print Solutions, innovation is central to how we approach print. We deliver digital printing services and custom printing products that help businesses create high-impact materials across formats, whether it’s direct mail, point-of-purchase displays, or interactive packaging. With advanced equipment, proven expertise, and a focus on customer success, we ensure your projects stand out and perform.

Ready to see what’s possible? Start your next project with us today by placing an order or requesting a quote.