Start with the catalogue’s job

A catalogue may introduce a complete product range, support sales appointments, sit at a retail counter or help distributors compare models. The intended use determines how much information belongs on each page and how durable or portable the finished publication should be.

Define the reader, product categories, sales process, expected lifespan and distribution quantity before choosing a format. A catalogue updated every quarter may need a different print strategy from an annual range book.

Choose the finished size

Plan product categories before pagination

Create the information structure before placing products. Group items by a logic buyers understand: application, industry, collection, model family, size or price level. Use a contents page, section openers and consistent page headers for larger catalogues.

Assign a stable data pattern to every product. A useful entry may include product name, short benefit, model or SKU, dimensions, material, colour options, pack quantity and a clear next step. Do not include an attribute merely because it exists in a database; prioritise the details that help the buyer decide.

Product photography for print

Prepare clean cut-outs where the design needs a uniform background, but retain natural shadows and texture when they help customers understand the item. Lifestyle images can show scale and application; detail photographs can explain finishes, controls or materials.

Printed colour may differ from a backlit screen. Use a controlled colour workflow, avoid judging colour from an uncalibrated display and request a suitable proof when colour accuracy is especially important.

Choose content paper

Coated art paper is commonly selected for image-led catalogues because its smooth surface supports colourful photography. Uncoated paper can suit understated brands, text-led guides or pages intended for notes. Paper thickness affects opacity, page turning, binding and total shipping weight.

Do not choose the heaviest available paper by default. A high page count on heavy stock can become bulky, resist opening or require a different binding. Check the exact stocks offered by the selected live product and consider a physical sample for important projects.

Cover specification

A separate card cover can protect the content and create a strong first impression. Keep the cover simple: brand, catalogue name, range or year, and one useful visual. Matte or gloss lamination may be available for selected cover stocks. Specialty finishes should be used only after confirming product compatibility, artwork requirements, minimum quantity and production schedule.

If the catalogue is perfect bound, the front, spine and back are normally prepared as one wraparound cover using the confirmed spine measurement. Do not guess that measurement before paper and page count are final.

Binding and page count

Saddle stitch is usually suitable for thinner catalogues and uses staples through the centre fold. Its total page count is normally divisible by four. It is useful for promotional catalogues and high-volume distribution where a square spine is unnecessary.

Perfect binding suits thicker publications and creates a paperback-style spine. Image Magic’s verified Perfect Bind Booklets product currently supports multiple standard sizes and short-run quantities from 10 books. Confirm the live combination of size, paper, pages and cover before artwork is final.

For higher quantities, the verified Bulk Booklet Printing product is an economy saddle-stitch option currently starting at 300 copies. Specifications differ from the perfect-bind product, so do not assume paper and cover choices transfer between them.

Quantity and update cycle

Calculate quantity from the number of sales representatives, retail locations, distributors, events and customer mailings. Add a reasonable reserve, but avoid a large overrun if products, prices or contact details change frequently.

A smaller first batch can test the structure and identify corrections. A larger stable run may lower unit cost but needs storage and version control. Mark the edition or effective date clearly so staff do not mix old and current catalogues.

For a broader explanation of how size, paper, pages and quantity affect pricing, see the live booklet cost-planning guide.

Artwork checklist

• Use the exact finished size, orientation and template.
• Add the required bleed to full-page images and backgrounds.
• Keep text, page numbers and product codes inside safe margins.
• Allow additional inner margin near a perfect-bound spine.
• Supply pages in normal reading order unless instructed otherwise.
• Use a consistent grid, type hierarchy and specification format.
• Check image resolution at final placed size.
• Convert or prepare colour according to the printer’s artwork guidance.
• Embed or outline fonts where required.
• Recalculate the cover if pages or paper change.

Commercial content checks

Catalogue errors can affect quotations and customer expectations. Confirm product names, model numbers, dimensions, units, materials, pack sizes, available options and legal disclaimers with the responsible product team. If prices change frequently, consider using a separate price list or directing readers to a maintained page.

Test every URL and QR code. A QR code should have sufficient contrast and clear space around it, and should be tested from a printed proof at actual size with more than one phone.

Common catalogue mistakes

Frequently asked questions

Is A4 or A5 better for a product catalogue?

A4 provides more room for specifications and large images; A5 is compact and portable. Choose according to content density, handling and distribution.

Which binding should a catalogue use?

Saddle stitch generally suits thinner catalogues, while perfect binding suits thicker publications that need a square spine. Confirm the chosen page and paper combination.

What product photos work best in print?

Use sharp, consistently lit images at sufficient resolution for their final printed size. Maintain repeatable angles and verify each image against its product code.

Should prices be included?

Include prices only if they will remain valid for the catalogue’s useful life. Frequently changing prices may be better handled through a separate list or maintained web page.