Catalog printing and design doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s easy to create an awesome catalog that will excite & inspire your customers! Catalogs are essential for businesses because they provide a thorough overview of products to improve customer satisfaction and drives sales. We have collected a list of simple design tips, suggestions, and examples to teach you the best way to create a product catalog.

Step 1. Gather Product Information

Before you get into the creation and design of your product catalog, it’s important to have all your product information organized and ready. Buyers make purchases when they know exactly what they are getting. By adding specific product information, you can improve sales and speed up the buyer’s journey. This step might seem tedious, but trust us, it’ll save you and your customers tons of time later on. Being organized within this process can help future you expand your product line, create revisions, and can even help with data driven business decisions. Below is a checklist of the essential product details you should gather.

Must-Have Product Information:

• Product Name/SKU: A clear, unique identifier for each product.
• High-Quality Images: Multiple, professional photos from different angles, showcasing the product in use (if applicable).
• Detailed Descriptions: Accurate and engaging descriptions highlighting features, benefits, and unique selling points.
• Specifications: Dimensions, materials, weight, technical details, care instructions, etc.
• Pricing: Clear and up-to-date pricing information (MSRP, sale prices, bulk discounts, etc.).
• Variations: If your product comes in different colors, sizes, or configurations, include details and images for each.
• Availability: Stock levels, lead times, or “made to order” information.
• Certifications or Compliance: Any industry standards, safety certifications, or regulatory compliance details.
• Customer Reviews/Testimonials: Social proof can be a powerful selling tool.

Nice-to-Have Information:

• Related Products/Accessories: Suggest complementary items to increase sales.
• Warranties/Guarantees: Provide peace of mind to potential customers.
• Awards or Recognitions: If your product has been recognized, flaunt it!

You want to choose a goal for your catalog’s purpose and audience. Are you trying to get customers to order through the catalog or just get them to go to your website or store? Who are you going to be sending the catalog to? Loyal customers or people who have never heard of your brand? Knowing your audience and purpose can help you create a visually compelling catalog that drives engagement. Every design choice should align with your main goal.

Order a free sample pack from us to customize your catalog to match you and your brand.

Step 2. Plan Your Catalog’s Structure & Layout

After deciding a goal, you want to lay out what you want to say, how to say it and where the information should go. Your content should be simple, clean and concise. Keeping you design consistent builds brand recognition and looks professional. Avoid overwhelming readers with too much information on one page. Instead, use high-quality images and strategically placed headings and subheadings to guide your audience to the most important information and keep them engaged throughout your catalog.

Depending on the catalog you may want to include these following items:

• Table of Contents: This helps direct the reader to exactly where the information is
• Order Form: This can make a huge difference when it comes to conversion sales
• Contact Information: Bring the awareness your business deserves and don’t forget the basics
• Website URL and/or Store Location: Add your website’s URL and your brick-and-mortar address so customers can find you online AND offline.
• QR codes: Integrate QR codes for quick access to your website, social media, or other important links to better user experience and engagement.

Need more tip on catalog creation and structure? Download our free catalog white paper on creating effective product catalogs!

Step 3. Design Your Product Catalog

Your catalog’s layout should guide the reader from one product to the next seamlessly. Little design tips can make a big difference between a catalog that gets tossed before customers even open it and a catalog that is long cherished by the hands of many. Before you start designing your catalogs, you want to think about future hiccups like how you are going to distribute them. Are you going to send them out in the mail, share digital copies online, or have physical copies in your store? Thinking ahead can help you select the perfect size and binding options when you go to create your catalog. At PrintingCenterUSA, we offer various binding options so you can choose the perfect fit for your catalog. To see more specifications to choose from for your catalog, check out our blog on Top Tips for Catalogs That Sell!

Follow the catalog tips below to make sure you’re getting the most out of the design.

• Use attractive, bright colors within high-quality images and elements that represent your company and brand.
• Stick to fonts that are easy to read. Consider size, style and color.
• Maintain a balance between text and visuals.
• Use white space wisely, you want the page to feel balanced and not overwhelming.
• Eliminate unnecessary elements or distractions to ensure the layout is easy to navigate.
• Use full color images with 300dpi resolution. Anything below 300dpi will print pixelated.
• Use headings and subheadings effectively, and organizing content so that it flows logically

What is the Best Way to Create a Catalog?

To get a head start on your catalogs, download one of our free Adobe templates. Adobe products are the industry standard and offer precise layouts, creative flexibility and they have many template resources for their users but if you don’t have an Adobe subscription use our free online design tool! It is super simple to use the free online design tool, you will select you catalog specifications then simply drag and drop your images, text, and icons onto your template and once you’re finished, add it to your cart.

Step 4. Publish or Download Your Catalog

Did you know, PrintingCenterUSA offers only the best when it comes to expanding your product reach? You can bring your catalog to life with professional self-publishing printing services and use your free digital flipbook for easy online sharing.

Expand your idea into a tangible product catalog with our professional printing services. Your products will have vibrant colors and sharp details to ensure your catalog makes impressions wherever it goes. We have a variety of paper stocks, sizes, finishes, and binding options to create your custom print catalog that reflects the quality of your business. Need a few copies for a trade show? Or a large run for a national campaign? We’ll deliver your printed catalog on time, with exceptional results!

How to Create a Free Digital Catalog

Turn your product catalog into an interactive digital flipbook to share with anyone online. With a simple link, customers can browse your products anytime, on any device. To get your flipbook start by ordering your product from PrintingCenterUSA.com and approve your proof. Within 30 minutes of approval, your Digital Flipbook will be ready in the “My Orders” section of your account. Click the “Free Digital Flipbook” button, add a title and description, agree to the terms, and share the link to your interactive flipbook with anyone! Check out the digital flipbook below from Sok-It! Visit our digital flipbook blog to learn how to enhance your marketing with digital flipbooks.

Ready to Create Your Catalog?

Create a catalog that leaves a lasting impression anywhere it goes! Whether you envision a stunning printed piece or an engaging digital flipbook, PrintingCenterUSA has the expertise and resources to bring your vision to life. Contact our printing specialists at 800-995-1555 today to discuss your project and receive a personalized quote. Let’s create a catalog that turns heads and professionally shows off your products and captivates your customers.

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