Survey Finds 67% of Small Businesses Use Custom Notepads to Boost Brand Recall
Custom notepads are a cost-effective and practical branding tool that helps small businesses increase visibility, strengthen brand recall, and build trust through repeated everyday use. By combining thoughtful design, internal and external distribution, and measurable impact, they offer long-term marketing value in both digital and physical environments.
In a world dominated by digital marketing, small businesses still rely on a traditional yet powerful tool: custom notepads. Far from being outdated, branded notepads have proven their value in improving brand visibility, strengthening recall, and building customer trust. This article explains why personalised notepads remain essential for UK SMEs, how they are being used effectively, and how you can make them work for your business.
Why Physical Branding Still Works in a Digital Era
While online ads and social media campaigns are important, the tactile nature of printed materials creates a lasting impression. Physical branding tools such as notepads are practical and often reused, increasing brand recognition over time.
Recent data reveals:
- About 84% of consumers report using branded items such as notepads and pens when it is a business they like (PPAI – “Hungry for Promo”)
- 58% of consumers say branded products improve their perception of a brand (PPAI/Designhill – 2025 Trends)
These findings highlight the continued effectiveness of physical marketing, especially in a digital environment where messages are easily forgotten. Explore our express products if you’re working with a tight deadline.
Why Custom Notepads Are Ideal for Small Businesses
Custom notepads offer a budget-friendly way to increase brand exposure. For small and medium-sized businesses, they provide multiple benefits:
- Affordable to produce in large quantities
- Easy to customise with your brand logo, tagline, or contact details
- Useful across a range of settings, including offices, events, and customer deliveries
You may consider wirobound notepads for durability, or glued notepads for a more economical option. When handed out at trade shows or included in product packaging, branded notepads help your business stay front of mind. Learn more in our blog post: Top 10 Uses for Personalised Notepads in the Office.
How Custom Notepads Improve Brand Recall
The fact that small businesses still use branded notepads is no coincidence. Items used frequently, such as notepads, reinforce brand familiarity through repeated exposure.
Supporting insights include:
- Physical items often have a stronger impact on memory than digital content
- Personalised stationery helps create a professional image and fosters trust
Psychological research shows that personalised materials enhance memory retention and brand recognition, making notepads a reliable branding tool. For example, a 2018 study by the
DMA and Demand Metric found that personalised printed materials, such as direct mail and catalogues, produced significantly stronger recall compared to non-personalised digital ads. If you’re unsure what type suits your sector best, explore specific notepads tailored to different industries.
Designing an Effective Custom Notepad
Good design is key to creating a notepad that people will use and remember. Follow these tips:
- Place your logo in a prominent corner
- Add contact information in the footer
- Use a lined layout for practicality
- Stick to your brand colours and fonts
- Include a QR code or special offer to encourage interaction
Commonly used sizes include A5 notebooks, A4 notebooks, and DL custom notebooks, depending on the occasion or space constraints.
Avoid clutter. Keep the design clean and leave plenty of space for note-taking. Learn more.
Internal and External Applications for Maximum Impact
Internal use: Provide notepads to employees for meetings, onboarding, and day-to-day use. This supports a consistent brand experience within your business.
External use: Distribute notepads to clients, prospects, and event attendees to increase brand exposure beyond your office.
Using notepads in both contexts creates continuity and reinforces your brand identity. Popular formats for in-house use include A3 custom notebooks for team planning sessions and A6 custom notebooks for compact, branded jotters.
Measuring the Value of Branded Notepads
Although results may take longer to appear than digital campaigns, you can still track the return on investment of branded notepads:
- Conduct brand recall surveys before and after distribution
- Monitor QR code scans and promotional code redemptions
- Watch for increases in repeat business or referrals
Over time, consistent brand exposure often leads to measurable gains in recognition and trust.
Final Thoughts: Should Your Business Use Custom Notepads?
With a significant amount of small businesses already using custom notepads, the benefits are clear. They are cost-effective, practical, and help your brand stay visible in a competitive market. Whether for internal use or external promotion, custom notepads can play a valuable role in your overall branding strategy.
Start designing your custom notepads today and make sure your brand stays front of mind, every day. To dive deeper into why notepads work, check out Custom Printed Notepads: The Ultimate Branding Tool for Small Businesses.