Think print is dead? Flam AI is proving otherwise, with Augmented Reality breathing new life into brochures, business cards, and everything in between.
The Print Media Paradox: Decline or Reinvention?
In the digital age, print advertising has often been written off as obsolete, overshadowed by click-throughs, impressions, and flashy digital campaigns. But what if print could fight back – not by replacing digital but by merging with it?
Enter Flam AI, an Indian startup rewriting the rules of print media using augmented reality (AR). What began as a photo-to-video social sharing platform is now revolutionizing how brands engage customers through static prints that literally come to life.
Flam AI: A Quick Backstory
Founded in May 2021 by three BITS Pilani graduates – Shourya Agarwal, Rajat Gupta, Malhar Patil – Flam AI originally focused on building AR-based social media experiences. Within two months, it raised $3.5 million in seed funding from Silicon Valley Quad and Inventus Capital Partners SV.
Their core product, FlamCards, transformed static images into dynamic AR experiences using just a smartphone camera. In just 3 months, the app saw 40 million scans – a number that made the marketing world pause.
Read More: Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 – Asia, Consumer Tech (2022)
Now, Flam is entering a new frontier: print advertising.
The Problem with Traditional Print Advertising
Despite its rich legacy, traditional print lacks one thing modern brands crave – engagement. It can be seen, touched, but not interacted with. That’s where Flam AI’s AR integration flips the script.
| Traditional Pain Points | How AR Solves It |
|---|---|
| Static & passive content | Interactive & immersive content |
| Limited tracking ability | Real-time scan data and analytics |
| Hard to personalize | Custom experiences based on user behavior |
| Low engagement | High attention retention through motion & sound |
What Is AR Print Advertising?
AR Print Advertising combines printed materials like flyers, brochures, posters, or business cards with digital AR experiences. Using a smartphone camera, a user can scan the print material and instantly view an overlaid 3D video, animation, product walkthrough, or promotional content.
Flam AI’s role? They’ve made this tech plug-and-play for brands.
Real Use Cases: How Flam AI Is Making Print Interactive
- AR Business Cards: Instead of handing out just your name and number, imagine handing out a card that plays your 30-second video pitch. Flam’s clients are using this to create memorable first impressions.
- Product Brochures: Brands now add video demos and product animations to their brochures. One scan and the customer sees the product in 3D or even a how-to-use guide.
- Event Flyers: Event organizers use Flam to embed sneak peeks, venue walkthroughs, and RSVP forms right into the flyer.
- Print Magazine Ads: Flam is working with publishers to turn static magazine ads into AR showcases, transforming readers into brand participants.
Market Opportunity: Why Now?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| AR Advertising Market (2024 est.) | $10.7 Billion USD |
| Print Advertising Market (India) | INR 19,000 Cr (~$2.3B) |
| Smartphone Penetration (India, 2024) | 73% |
| Gen Z/Millennial Preference | 64% prefer interactive content |
With AR adoption soaring and Gen Z driving engagement trends, Flam AI is tapping into an inflection point.
Flam AI vs Current Competitors
Flam wins on localization, affordability, and frictionless experience, especially for Indian startups.
| Feature | Flam AI | BlippAR | Zappar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus on Print Media | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| India Market Optimization | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| One-tap Scan (No App Needed) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (limited) |
| Cost-Effectiveness for SMBs | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
How Brands Can Get Started with Flam AI
- Step 1: Upload the artwork or print file on Flam AI’s portal.
- Step 2: Attach a video, 3D animation, or CTA.
- Step 3: Download the printable AR-enhanced file or QR overlay.
- Step 4: Track scans, engagement, and CTRs in real-time.
Even small businesses with an INR 5,000 monthly marketing budget can now add “wow factor” to their print campaigns.
Results You Can Expect
Flam AI provides case studies that show a dramatic lift in both interaction and conversions. And since everything is measurable, ROI becomes crystal clear.
| Campaign Type | Avg Engagement Time | Scan Rate (vs static print) | Lead Generation Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Cards | 45 sec | 3x higher | +120% |
| Product Brochures | 68 sec | 5x higher | +95% |
| Event Flyers | 30 sec | 2x higher | +70% |
The Psychology Behind It
Humans remember:
- 10% of what they read
- 20% of what they hear
- 80% of what they interact with
AR taps into the last one. It turns an otherwise passive moment (reading a flyer) into an engagement, and memory sticks when movement, audio, and interaction are involved.
What’s Next for Flam AI?
Flam AI is exploring:
- Retail Packaging AR – Scan a shampoo bottle to see a celebrity demo.
- Education Modules – Print textbooks that pop up with animations and audio.
- Multilingual AR – Scan content that speaks in your local language.
This isn’t just print media revival – it’s media transformation.
Final Word: Is AR the Lifeline Print Media Needed?
Flam AI doesn’t see AR as a gimmick – it sees it as a gateway. A bridge between the trust of print and the engagement of digital. For startups, FMCG brands, publishers, and educators, this hybrid is not a luxury anymore – it’s a strategic edge.
