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Why Printing Photos Still Matters in a Digital-First World
In a time where thousands of images live on our phones, it would be easy to assume that printed photographs are becoming a thing of the past. But the reality tells a very different story.
To mark World Photography Day 2026, Cartridge People conducted a snap poll exploring how people capture, store and print their photos today.
More photos are taken than ever
Photography is now part of everyday life. Whether it’s capturing family moments, holidays or everyday experiences, people are constantly documenting their lives. Our latest survey shows that taking photos regularly is the norm, with many respondents claiming to take photographs daily or multiple times a week.
While the volume of photos continues to grow, how we interact with them is also changing.
Storing images is not a one size fits all
Unsurprisingly, digital storage is now the default. Over half of respondents (55%) store photos on their phones, while 44% use cloud storage.
These tools offer convenience and accessibility but they also create a new challenge: photos can easily become lost in endless camera rolls, rarely revisited or fully appreciated. 75% of respondents stated that it is very important to preserve photos long term and 76% said they were concerned about the risk of losing their digital photos. This is where print still plays an important role.
Nearly half of respondents (49%) said they keep printed photos, while 36% display framed prints at home and 30% create photo books or albums. Rather than choosing one or the other, print can complement digital storage.
Bringing memories to life
One of the clearest takeaways from both this year’s survey and our 2025 study is the emotional value of printed photos.
In 2026, the top reasons for printing include displaying memories at home (62%), giving photos as gifts (46%) and creating keepsakes or albums (41%).
These motivations closely mirror last year’s findings, where people cited tangible mementos, decoration and the fact that they are more likely to look at a physical photograph as key reasons for printing.
Home printing vs outsourcing
Another strong trend is the continued importance of home printing. In this year’s survey, 55% of respondents said they print photos at home, making it the most popular option. When people print, they want convenience and control.
That’s further reflected in what people value most when printing at home: convenience (56%), print quality (52%) and control over what they print (45%). Home printing allows people to print instantly, without waiting, uploading or relying on external services.
Printing appetite
Perhaps one of the most interesting insights from the 2026 survey is not just how people print but also whether there’s a desire to print more.
Over half of respondents (54%) said they would print more photos if costs were lower, while others highlighted easier access to supplies and more creative inspiration as key motivators. This suggests that the want to print is already there. For many, it’s simply about making it easier to do so.
Even in 2025, cost was identified as a barrier by a proportion of respondents, reinforcing the idea that affordability plays an important role in encouraging more frequent printing. Home printing can save people a lot of money compared to third-party printing services and using compatible cartridges can save them even more.
Printing isn’t disappearing
It doesn’t seem to be the case then that printing is becoming obsolete. People are more selective about what they print but that makes each printed photo more valuable. It’s no longer about printing everything but about choosing the moments that matter most.
The snap poll shows that while people aren’t printing their photos daily, there’s still a need and desire for physical photographs. 72% of respondents said there is value in having printed copies of their most treasured moments.
Make more of your memories
Whether it’s creating a photo album, framing a favourite moment or printing images to share with others, bringing photos into the physical world is still one of the most meaningful ways to enjoy them.
At Cartridge People, we make it easy to print more of what matters. From reliable ink and toner to high-quality printing supplies, we’re here to help you turn your digital memories into something you can see, hold and share.
Explore our range of photo printing supplies and start bringing your favourite moments to life.
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