Modern Ideas on Catalog Printing



A catalog is defined as a compilation which lists down and describes the contents of a certain collection or group of collections. These catalogs that contain such collections easily bring to minds commercial businesses, shops, and other which offers goods and services.

Catalogs are all too common print materials, but are one of the most handy and useful ones. Catalogs help us search for specific items, identify them and order them hassle-free. Flipping through pages or organized collection or selection is even considered by some a leisurely activity. Other would even go as far as to browsing through catalogs as shopping.

Indeed, catalogs have been transformed itself and have taken more interesting roles. Catalogs do more than to organize or compile collections. It serves varying purposes as seen in the eyes of different fields - advertising, marketing, business and the like.

•    Catalogs have become a medium which holds great potential. To name a few, these are:

•    Catalogs are effective for it gives product visibility, heightening their exposure.

•    Catalogs strongly influence a need to buy.

•    Catalogs, which may be likened to window shopping, gives reader a more in depth knowledge of the product or services.

•    Catalogs, depending on how detailed they are, can be persuasive and highly motivating.

•    Catalogs give reader a fuller view of the product they are purchasing and leads them to view similar products that might hold their interest.

•    Catalogs functions as a guide that makes buying easier.

•    Catalogs are portable, compact and can easily be shared, especially when they are directly mailed to subscribers and other potential clients.


Catalogs can be considered as booklets, which are limited to the standard sizes of 5.5 in x 8.5 in, 8.5 in x 11 in, 6 in x 6 in and 12 in x 12 in. Different printers have varying minimum and maximum number of pages required. But it is a standard procedure that pages increase in increments of 4.

As for binding them, catalogs may be saddle stitched, Wire-O or perfect binding among a number of variations. Catalogs may be stapled on the 8.5 way of a 5.5 x 8.5 catalog. Unless preferred and specified by the client, it can be stapled on the 5.5 way.

Modern Ideas

Catalogs are continuously evolving due to the various demands of the market and the economy. Therefore, it is best to remember some ideas that are necessary in order to ride along the currents of time.

Catalogs, as any print material, rely on visual stimulation. Use creative layouts and designs
Along with out first point, another is to use great pictures with focus and balance. A photo with a focal point gives the eyes a seemingly better view of things. It frames everything and leads the eyes to appreciate the whole picture.

Use colors that can help you enhance your theme. Use colors too that can effectively highlight the right details. Not just on graphics but texts as well.

Think of innovative ways to further make your catalogs interactive. Promos, coupons and the like entice recipients to see just what kind of package or bargain you are offering.

Create a sense of suspense and hold out on your readers until they get to the middle of the catalog. This way, more of your items are seen and read.

Group your items – products and services – effectively. Be sure to immediately include within the page or nearby pages complementary equipment and accessories that would enhance your recipient’s response towards your goods.