Product catalog is extremely useful in Marketing and Sales because it helps to organize and synthesize product information. Catalogs are essential for not only buyers but also resellers, marketers or salespeople.
Today, let’s learn with Malu in detail the steps to build an effective catalog for your business.
What is a catalog?
Catalog (also known by other names such as Catalog, Catalog) is a marketing publication with content aimed at introducing and promoting products/services/brands of the business to customers in a concise manner and most intuitive.
Catalog design is also considered as one of the important documents in the brand identity of the business, having a great effect in attracting, approaching and persuading customers.
Customers often actively learn about the products they are interested in and are provided with information in the catalogs. This helps them significantly save time to learn, and at the same time easier for their purchasing decisions.
Through Catalog design, businesses effectively communicate and advertise their products/services/brands in the market, focus well on target customers and promote their buying behavior in the future. .
Besides, beautiful catalog templates bring professionalism and distinct value to help your business prevail over competitors, create a good opportunity to close a sale, etc.
What types of catalogs are there?
1. Paper catalog
Paper catalogs typically include a cover page that announces the type of merchandise it contains, followed by information about the items. Some Catalogs have a single product category, such as clothing, others may include a diverse collection of merchandise.
Categories contain pictures and descriptions of items, as well as pricing and ordering information. Some catalogs come with order forms and pre-stamped envelopes. This is one of the most popular forms in the past. Manufacturers will send catalogs to dealers, customers choose the model they like, record the code in the order form and send it to the purchase address. In some cases, customers will call and order over the phone.
2. Electronic catalog (e-catalogue)
To save printing and mailing costs and allow retailers to update prices, products and promotions more quickly, businesses have gradually turned to electronic catalog design.
Online catalog designs are often published in PDF format, to quickly and easily send to customers. The advantage of online catalogs is that there is no limit on the number of pages as well as very low distribution costs. Moreover, sharing and promoting the catalog is also very easy, you just need to upload it to your website. The downside of online catalogs may be that the ability to interact directly with viewers will be reduced compared to printed catalogs.
Why is the catalog necessary?
1. Catalog helps customers to decide more easily:
Obviously, with a well-informed product document in hand, it’s much easier for consumers to make a buying decision.
2. Shorten the customer journey and increase the user experience:
An effectively designed catalog leaves the impression of a professional brand. Today, the majority of consumption is online, so the customer journey can be shortened by providing enough product information in the first place.
Besides, a catalog is integrated on the website, which is convenient for interaction and also helps to increase the user experience.
3. Providing information sources for external partners:
Stakeholders such as agencies, retailers can take the catalog as a reference and share it with their customers. The marketing department of the brand also needs a catalog, especially when sending demos to customers.
What does the catalog include?
Catalog design is a combination of many different components. Some elements are always used such as the front cover image, the table of contents, and the back cover image. Other components depend on project requirements:
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Front cover photo
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About page: Description, advertisement
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Table of contents: sections, headings, page numbers, main categories
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Pages: Information, product photos, services
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Last page: Description, advertisement, notes
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Back cover photo
Steps to build a catalog
Step 1. Summarize all data about the product:
Let’s start by collecting basic information such as ingredients, sizes, customer reviews, price, etc. Gather all the information into a spreadsheet for easy searching and editing. Don’t forget to collect product images as well. In fact, images play a huge role in increasing conversion rates. Make sure the brand image is sharp enough.
Another thing to note is to carefully study the Brand Guideline . Because of the choice of colors and fonts, the brand personality is closely related to the previously built Visual Brand Identity .
Step 1. Plan the structure and layout of the catalog:
The next step is to draft the catalog. The goal is to help visualize product features and information. Finalizing some mock-ups can also help.
Tip: For the initial layout and structure of the catalog, you should use lean text. Because when the content is thick and many, the overall catalog will be affected and more difficult to track.
Step 3. Design the catalog:
If you don’t have a specific idea, you can refer to some templates online. Or contact someone with expertise, like the Malu Design team , to assist you in the process of building a complete catalog.
Step 4. Print:
Your products receive the best catalog printing samples, on high-quality finished paper that meet the strict requirements of technical and artistic standards. The above article is the 5 steps of a standard catalog design process.
20 beautiful product catalog samples:
Desigual, Spring/Summer 2016:
Colorful, fresh, youthful and dynamic are the adjectives used to describe the catalog of the Desigual fashion brand. This catalog was designed by Astrid Ortiz. This is a combination of hot colored backgrounds and energetic images, creating a lively composition.
Sandro Desii:
Catalogs for the food industry are not necessarily structured and formulated. It can still be as trendy as any other marketing publication. This catalog uses a minimalist and chic design. Produced by agency Lo Siento, the catalog showcases the power of simple but effective style through color and font.
Saint Etienne Opera House Seasonal Program:
If you’re looking for event catalog inspiration, check out Saint Étienne Opera House. Designed by French agency Graphéine, it demonstrates how Print Media can create a communication channel that connects artists with a target audience. Striking colors, funny images and creative fonts make the catalog feel very fun and fresh.
Margaret Howell:
The minimalist, modern style of British designer Margaret Howell has been conveyed through the catalog. Publication made by agency Studio Small. The meticulous selection of the color palette as well as the neat and clean san serif font creates a beautiful, inspiring publication.
Shoe Guru:
Catalog is integrated on the website. Eye-catching images inspired by dance. combined with Guru shoes. The publication fully qualifies as a print publication.
Friend of Mine:
Minimalist catalog designs will help products stand out, more clearly. Especially in the high fashion industry. Where products are attractive enough on their own, using lots of colors or fonts just distracts the attention.
Billabong:
A brand about surfing, associated with the image of beaches, summer. Carefully constructed advertising words and eye-catching images help this catalog win the hearts of consumers.
Riviera Maison:
The catalog revolves around the main message of family atmosphere, “happiness around”. The founder of the company introduced the publication by sending out handwritten letters. This is also an interesting strategy because it leaves a personal mark and shows respect for customers.
Bonobos:
Bonobos is a brand of golf wear. The company has integrated product introduction with golf culture. From there, highlighting the connection between this sport and Bonobos’ costumes.
Annie Selke:
In the first description, the brand clearly explains the philosophy behind their new collection: “The integral beauty of organic, of nature around us.”
So iLL:
Catalog is a combination of vivid product images and simple, concise but effective descriptions.
West Elm:
The publication is designed youthful and modern. The studio focuses on explaining interior design styles rather than describing the execution process.
STATUS Modern Furniture:
GFS COMPANY:
The food brand wants to be creative, modern and focused on the deliciousness of the product.
Art and literature at Lake Constance:
Embawood Furniture:
Ferrero Rocher:
Diblong:
Remodeling:
Tiffany&Co:
Hopefully with the above information, your business will build an effective and valuable catalog.
If you are looking for a reputable and experienced unit to be able to design a professional and impressive catalog and brand identity system , then please contact us immediately by phone. 0988 622 991, or leave your information and requirements, Malu Design ‘s consulting department will contact you right away to answer all your questions!
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Malu Design – Branding Identity Agency
Hotline: 0988 622 991
