A well-crafted catalog can make a massive difference in your business. They can drive more sales for specific products or services, strengthen brand loyalty, and increase customer retention.
However, producing a great catalog can be challenging. That’s why working with a printer that understands all the options available for this unique print marketing piece is essential.
Printing Options
With so many online shopping and marketing tools, it might be easy to assume that the traditional print catalog is on its last legs. But a well-made, attractive catalog can still provide significant value for your customers.
Printed on high-quality, durable paper stock, your catalog will be informative and eye-catching. Whether a slim booklet highlighting seasonal inventory, a more extensive department store-style catalog featuring product and service categories, or a magazine-catalog hybrid, you can design and print any size catalog to suit your brand.
If you’re looking for a catalog printing services perfect for smaller runs or projects requiring precise colour matching, digital printing is the way to go. An expert will work with you to design and format your catalogue, and you’ll have the opportunity to review a physical proof before sending it to the press. It ensures that you’re delighted with the final product. It allows you to spot typos or discrepancies before the project is rolled out. It is essential with a catalogue as it can take longer to correct errors than a smaller project would. When sending them out for mailing, check with your printer and bulk mail service to ensure that the indicia (postage information) is appropriately located to meet USPS regulations.
Binding Options
Catalogs are an effective marketing tool for showcasing your products and services. They engage customers, telling a story that builds brand loyalty and customer retention. But, while planning, designing, ordering, and printing a catalog may seem like a massive undertaking at first, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.
To start, it’s essential to know your binding options. Binding can enhance a catalog’s image, improve durability, and make it easier to read. Saddle-stitching is ideal because it allows your catalog to lie flat while being read. When creating a saddle-stitched catalog, the pages are folded in “signatures” of four and then stitched together. The parent sheets of each signature are then trimmed so that they’re all flush with one another for a clean, uniform look.
You choose a stock to help your photos and images pop and stand out on the page. Glossy paper is an excellent option because it allows rich, bright, vivid colors to shine. A matte or satin aqueous coating is also an excellent choice because it helps prevent smudging and makes your catalog more durable. For the cover, you can also opt for a soft touch lamination, which gives your cover a smooth, velvety feel.
Finishing Options
Many printing companies offer unique print finishing options that make your catalog stand out. These options include spot UV coating, lamination, soft-touch lamination, embossing, foil stamping, and more. These additional finishing techniques can help your catalog make a statement that will attract customers and boost sales.
The type of paper you choose for your catalog can significantly impact its look and feel. Gloss-coated paper is the most common choice for catalogs, giving them a high-quality gloss to make colors appear brighter and more vibrant. It’s also a durable option that will hold up to repeated turning and scuffing. If you want to add a touch of luxury, consider upgrading your paper to 100-pound gloss text for an extra smooth and glossy finish.
Try to stick with the same family throughout your catalog regarding fonts. It will give it a more uniform look and make it easier for customers to read. It’s also important to avoid including images with a resolution lower than 300 dpi, as they will look pixelated and hard to read.
Lastly, having several people proofread your catalog before sending it to the printer is a good idea. It will help you catch any mistakes or errors that may have occurred during the creation process.
Pricing
Catalogs can be costly, but they provide tremendous detail about your products and services. As such, having a clear vision of your intended goals for the project is essential so you can structure teams and allocate tasks appropriately.
Start with a detailed product list and include all the essential information your audience wants. It will include details like pricing, image size, and a comprehensive description that explains the highlights of each product or service. It is essential that you have high-quality elements throughout your catalog and that they align with your branding.
Choosing a smooth or glossy finish will make your images stand out regarding paper stock. The more your audience invests in your content and feels inspired, the more likely they will place an order or visit your website.
A reputable printer can print your catalogs on various stock options and combine finishing options such as die cuts and foil stamping. They will also be able to offer full-service mailing, which is particularly helpful for small businesses without their mail centers. It will maximize efficiencies and ensure your catalogs are delivered to your audience immediately.
