In a digital-first world, it’s easy to assume print marketing is losing relevance. Yet, at the point of sale (POS), the classic strut card remains a powerful tool. Found in pharmacies, cafés, salons, and bookshops across the UK, strut cards sit neatly on counters and desks, delivering key messages right where customers are ready to engage. Their simplicity, visibility, and cost-effectiveness make them ideal for promoting offers, services, or new products.
In this blog, we explore five reasons why strut cards continue to thrive — and why investing in high-quality strut card printing is still a smart marketing move.
1. Tangibility Wins Attention
There’s something undeniably effective about a physical marketing piece that you can see and touch. In an age where most customers are used to scrolling through ads on screens, print materials stand out simply by being different.
Strut cards, with their upright stance and crisp design, are hard to ignore when placed in strategic spots like the till point, entrance desk, or waiting area. The moment a customer glances around — whether waiting in line or browsing — a well-designed strut card catches the eye naturally.
Think about a boutique café promoting a new seasonal drink. A small but visually rich strut card beside the till, showing a steaming mug and the offer, can spark curiosity and action instantly. Unlike digital displays that require screens and power sources, strut cards do their job quietly and effectively, standing proud with no need for additional equipment.
2. Cost-Effective Branding
Budget matters, especially for small businesses. Whether you’re running a local salon or managing multiple retail branches, staying within budget without compromising on brand quality is crucial. That’s where strut cards shine.
Unlike more expensive options such as digital signage, freestanding displays, or video screens, strut card printing is incredibly affordable, particularly when ordered in bulk. And yet, despite their low cost, strut cards can deliver a remarkably high return on investment.
They allow for full-colour, high-resolution branding and can be tailored to suit specific campaigns, services, or seasonal offers. You can create new designs regularly without breaking the bank, giving your brand a fresh visual push every time you need it. For businesses with multiple locations, producing uniform strut cards ensures brand consistency across the board.
3. Easy to Deploy and Replace
Strut cards are a dream for retail teams. There’s no need for tools, installation services, or electrical outlets — just unpack, pop the strut out at the back, and place it on the counter. Within seconds, your display is live.
This ease of deployment also makes strut cards incredibly flexible. You can swap them out in moments as new products or services roll in. If you’re promoting a Valentine’s Day special one week and a Mother’s Day package the next, changing over is quick and hassle-free.
Let’s say you run a high-street beauty salon. Each month, you highlight a new treatment. With point of sale printing, you can produce a batch of elegant, brand-aligned strut cards for each monthly offer. As the calendar changes, simply replace the card and keep the promotions flowing.
4. Customisable and On-Brand
One of the best features of strut cards is their flexibility in design. They’re a blank canvas for your message, and can be made to reflect your brand’s unique identity down to the finest detail.
Want bold, eye-catching colours with a gloss finish? Or perhaps a subtle, matte design in muted tones? Fancy a die-cut shape to match your logo silhouette? With modern strut card printing services, all of this is possible. You can choose the size, shape, thickness, finish, and artwork, making each card a true extension of your brand personality.
They’re ideal for everything from quirky independent brands to corporate, polished environments. And since customers are often close enough to read the fine print, you can use clever copywriting and strong calls-to-action to guide their decision-making in real-time.
5. Drives Last-Minute Purchases
POS displays are all about capturing those final few seconds of a customer’s attention before they check out. Strut cards are brilliant at this. They’re placed exactly where it counts — right where the decision happens.
It could be an upsell opportunity (“Add a drink for just £1”), a time-limited promotion (“Buy 2 get 1 free today only”), or a reminder of a service they hadn’t yet considered (“Ask us about our gift cards!”). Because strut cards don’t shout — they simply stand and suggest — they often succeed where more aggressive tactics fail.
A pet shop, for example, might place a strut card near the till promoting discounted dog treats or a new grooming service. While the customer waits to pay, their eye naturally falls on the card, and just like that, they add something extra to their basket.
This subtle but effective influence makes strut cards more than just decorative — they become powerful little salespeople that work without saying a word.
Bonus: Eco-Friendly Printing Options
Sustainability is more than just a trend — it’s a customer expectation. Thankfully, many modern point of sale printing services now offer eco-friendly materials and practices.
Recycled card stock, water-based inks, and biodegradable coatings are now widely available, meaning your strut cards can look great and feel responsible. This adds an extra layer of appeal to your brand, especially among environmentally-conscious shoppers.
Conclusion
In a time when digital channels dominate, traditional print marketing tools like strut cards remain highly effective at the point of sale. Strut cards are eye-catching, affordable, and easy to customise, making them ideal for promoting new products, upselling services, or enhancing your in-store presentation. Their strategic placement ensures your message reaches customers at the right moment — when they’re ready to make a decision.
For high-quality, professionally designed strut cards, VC Print provides dependable strut card printing and point of sale printing solutions tailored to your business needs. Make an impression where it counts — directly in front of your customer.