Bridging the Gap: Why Printed Benefits Guides Still Matter—and How Brite Simplifies the Transition

In today’s digital-first world, it’s easy to assume that printed materials have become obsolete. However, when it comes to employee benefits communication, print continues to play a vital role. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for carriers and brokers aiming to effectively engage diverse workforces.

The Digital Shift: A Gradual Transition

The move from printed materials to digital platforms isn’t an overnight change. It’s a gradual process, much like the transition from paper maps to smartphone navigation. Before smartphones became ubiquitous, standalone GPS devices served as an intermediary, helping users acclimate to digital navigation. Similarly, in benefits communication, printed guides act as a bridge, easing the transition to digital platforms for both employers and employees.

The Enduring Value of Print

Despite the surge in digital communication, printed benefits guides offer unique advantages:

• Tangible Engagement: Physical materials can capture attention in ways digital formats may not. They provide a tactile experience that can enhance understanding and retention of information.

• Accessibility: Not all employees have consistent access to digital devices or are comfortable navigating online platforms. Printed guides ensure that all employees, regardless of their digital proficiency, have access to essential benefits information.

• Personalization: High-quality printed materials can be tailored to reflect a company’s brand and culture, reinforcing identity and values among employees .

The Workflow Challenge

Traditionally, creating both digital and printed benefits guides has been a cumbersome process:

1. Designing a Digital Experience: Building a microsite or digital guide requires specific tools and expertise.

2. Creating a Printed Version: Separately designing a print-friendly version often involves additional software like InDesign, leading to duplicated efforts.

3. Maintaining Consistency: Any updates or corrections must be made in both versions, increasing the risk of discrepancies and errors.

This dual-process approach can strain resources and lead to inconsistencies in the information presented to employees.

Brite’s Integrated Solution

At Brite, we recognize the importance of supporting both digital and print mediums during this transitional phase. Our platform is designed to streamline the creation of benefits guides, offering a unified solution:

• Single-Source Design: Create your benefits guide once within Brite’s platform.

• Automatic Print-Ready Output: Generate a professionally formatted, print-ready version directly from the digital guide, eliminating the need for separate design processes.

• Efficient Updates: Make changes in one place, and they automatically reflect in both digital and printed versions, ensuring consistency and saving time.

This integrated approach simplifies workflows, reduces the potential for errors, and allows brokers to focus on delivering value to their clients.

Embracing the Future While Honoring the Present

While the future of benefits communication is undoubtedly digital, the present still necessitates a hybrid approach. By acknowledging the current needs of the workforce and providing tools that bridge the gap, carriers and brokers can ensure effective communication and engagement.

Brite is committed to facilitating this transition, offering solutions that respect the enduring value of print while paving the way for a digital future.

References:

• Pecchia Communications. (2025). Power of Print Still Endures in Employee Communications. Retrieved from https://pecchiacomm.com/2025/02/power-of-print-still-endures-in-employee-communications/

• Flipsnack Blog. (2024). Printed vs. Digital Benefit Guides: Which is Better?. Retrieved from https://blog.flipsnack.com/printed-vs-digital-employee-benefits-guides/

• Allyson Content Group. (n.d.). Employee Communications: Are Print Materials Still Valuable?. Retrieved from https://allysoncontentgroup.com/employee-communications-are-print-materials-still-valuable/