We’re living in the age of screens. Our phones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches keep us connected and informed 24/7. But here’s something you might not expect: printing things out on actual paper comes with some genuinely surprising benefits that go way beyond just having a hard copy.
Recent research from 2024 and 2025 has uncovered some fascinating advantages to printing documents, journaling on paper, and reading physical pages instead of scrolling. From better sleep to improved mental health to faster wound healing (yes, really), the humble printed page is making a comeback for good reason.
Let’s dive into ten unexpected perks of printing things in the modern world.
1. You Actually Remember What You Read
Ever read an entire article on your phone, then immediately forget what it said? You’re not alone. A 2024 meta-analysis of 49 studies found something researchers call the “screen inferiority effect.”
People who read on paper consistently scored higher on comprehension tests than those who read the same material on screens. One massive study with over 171,000 participants confirmed it: paper-based reading results in better information retention and understanding.
Your brain processes physical text differently. You build a mental map of where information appears on the page, making it easier to recall later. That’s something scrolling through endless digital text just can’t replicate.
2. Your Sleep Gets Better
Staring at screens before bed is terrible for sleep—we’ve all heard this. But here’s the specific connection to printing: when you print documents to read before bed instead of scrolling on your tablet, you’re eliminating blue light exposure that disrupts your natural sleep rhythms.
A 2024 study published in a pediatric health journal found that substituting book reading for screen time significantly improved sleep health in preschoolers. The same principle applies to adults.
Print your evening reading material, and you might find yourself falling asleep easier and waking up more refreshed. No app can deliver that benefit.
3. Your Eyes Get a Break
Screen fatigue is real. Staring at computer monitors all day causes eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, and long-term vision concerns.
Physical books and printed documents? Not a problem. Your eyes don’t have to fight against brightness, glare, or constant screen refreshing. Reading print gives your visual system a genuine break from the digital grind.
If you’re already spending 8+ hours a day staring at work screens, printing documents for review or leisure reading can reduce your total screen exposure considerably.
4. You Feel Less Anxious
Here’s where things get really interesting. Multiple studies show that writing on physical paper—journaling, note-taking, planning—reduces anxiety and mental distress.
One study found that people who wrote by hand for just 15 minutes, three days a week over 12 weeks, experienced increased feelings of well-being and fewer depressive symptoms after one month.
Physical writing helps us accept rather than judge our mental experiences, resulting in fewer negative emotions in response to stressors. Printing prompts, worksheets, or journaling templates gives you the physical paper you need to unlock these mental health benefits.
5. Your Blood Pressure Actually Goes Down
This one sounds too good to be true, but research backs it up. Expressive writing on paper for only 15 to 20 minutes a day, three to five times over four months, was enough to lower blood pressure and improve liver functionality.
Another study found that adults who wrote for 20 minutes about their feelings on upsetting events healed faster after a medical biopsy.
The physical act of writing on paper appears to have measurable health benefits that typing on a keyboard doesn’t replicate. If you’re looking for simple ways to support your physical health, printing journaling prompts or planning pages might be more powerful than you think.
6. You Beat Digital Distractions
Let’s be honest: how many times have you opened a document on your computer to read it, only to get derailed by email notifications, Slack messages, text pop-ups, or the siren call of social media tabs?
Physical printed pages eliminate all of that. No notifications. No tempting browser tabs. No sudden urge to “just quickly check” something else.
This isn’t just anecdotal. Research confirms that digital distractions weaken attention spans and reduce productivity. Printing important documents for focused review removes those distractions entirely, allowing for deeper concentration and better work quality.
7. Creative Ideas Flow More Easily
Writing on paper activates the analytical left side of your brain, which frees up the right, more creative side to explore and engage with stray thoughts.
This is why so many writers, artists, and creative professionals swear by pen and paper for brainstorming. Printing worksheets, mind-mapping templates, or blank pages for free writing can help you unlock creative potential and overcome mental blocks.
The physical act of writing accesses your subconscious mind differently than typing does. If you’ve been stuck on a project, trying printing a planning sheet and writing by hand might break through the block.
8. Physical Paper Helps You Heal Faster
Yes, this sounds wild, but it’s backed by research. A study found that adults who journaled about their feelings for 20 minutes on paper healed faster from biopsies than those who didn’t write.
The exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood yet, but the connection between expressive writing on physical paper and improved physical healing is scientifically documented.
It’s another reminder that the mind-body connection is real, and simple activities like writing on printed paper can have surprising physical effects.
9. You Make Better Decisions
When you read important information on paper—contracts, proposals, complex reports—you process it more deeply than when skimming on a screen.
Studies show that people tend to skim and scan when reading digitally, while physical paper encourages slower, more thorough reading. This deeper processing leads to better understanding and, ultimately, better decision-making.
If you’re reviewing something important—a job offer, a major purchase, a business contract—print it out. You’ll catch details you might otherwise miss, and you’ll be more confident in your final decision.
10. Things Feel More “Real”
There’s something about physical documents that creates a deeper emotional connection. Printed materials leave a lasting impression in ways digital files simply can’t.
Business professionals still prefer to hand out physical materials during important meetings. Physical thank-you notes carry more weight than emails. Printed photos feel more meaningful than digital albums.
This isn’t just nostalgia. The tangible nature of printed materials creates a sensory experience—texture, weight, the sound of pages turning—that reinforces memory and emotional significance.
When something matters, printing it makes it feel more real.
The Modern Case for Printing
None of this means you should print everything or abandon digital tools entirely. Digital has its place, and it’s not going anywhere.
But the research is clear: strategically choosing to print certain things comes with real, measurable benefits. Better comprehension and memory. Improved sleep and eye health. Lower anxiety and blood pressure. Enhanced creativity and focus. Deeper decision-making and emotional connection.
In a world drowning in screens, printing can be a surprisingly powerful tool for your health, productivity, and well-being.
Print Smarter, Not Harder
Of course, owning a home printer comes with its own hassles: expensive ink, subscription traps, software updates, paper jams, and maintenance headaches. (If you haven’t read about the ink subscription trap, it’s eye-opening.)
You don’t need to deal with any of that to enjoy the benefits of printed documents.
Services like Inktoss let you upload documents from your phone or computer, choose your settings, and we print and mail them to you. No printer to maintain. No ink subscriptions. No hassle. Just the benefits of physical paper when you need it.
Rediscover Paper
The unexpected perks of printing in the modern world go far beyond having a backup copy. From better brain function to improved health to enhanced creativity, physical paper offers benefits that our screen-saturated lives desperately need.
Next time you’re about to read an important document, review a key report, or plan your week—consider printing it out. Your brain, your eyes, your sleep, and even your blood pressure might thank you.
Want to enjoy the benefits of printing without the hassle of owning a printer? Inktoss delivers high-quality printing and mailing with zero subscriptions or maintenance. Learn more.