For a successful business, the selling process is very important. First, there must be a presentation of the product or service to the potential buyer, and after that, there should be a way to verify or order it. In search of sales tools, many businessmen who want to do it on their own try to create catalogs or brochures, or even order them from designers.
Although plenty of templates are available on the net, you should avoid making your own catalog instead of purchasing ready-to-use service catalogs and product catalogs.
Catalog Templates
Catalog templates are pre-designed documents that provide a framework for creating visually appealing and organized catalogs for products or services. These templates offer a convenient and professional way to showcase a collection of items, presenting them in a coherent and visually engaging manner.
Catalog templates typically include sections for product descriptions, images, pricing information, and any additional details or specifications relevant to each item. They often incorporate a consistent layout and design elements to maintain a cohesive visual identity throughout the catalog.
Using a catalog template helps businesses or individuals create catalogs that effectively highlight their offerings and attract potential customers. It provides a structured format that ensures key product information is presented clearly and consistently, making it easier for customers to browse and make informed purchasing decisions.
What Is a Catalog?
A catalog is a publication that advertises products and services for sale. It can be either printed on paper or accessed digitally. Retailers often use catalogs to display the items they sell and promote special offers. They may also contain information about the company itself, such as its history, mission statement, and contact details.
History of the Catalog
The first known catalog was published in 1690 by John Graunt, an English statistician. He used it to advertise his book titled Natural and Political Observations Made Upon the Bills of Mortality. Graunt’s catalog contained advertisements for other books he wrote and sold through his London bookshop. The first retailer to use a printed catalog was John Wanamaker, who used one to promote his Philadelphia department store in 1868.
What Is a Catalog Used For?
A catalog may be used to inform customers about new products, services, or promotions available from the company that publishes it. It can also be used as an advertising tool to promote new products or services to potential buyers who may otherwise not know about these offerings.
In some cases, a company publishes multiple types of catalogs, such as one that focuses on clothing items and another on household items like furniture or appliances.
Types of catalog templates
There are many different types of catalogs, each serving a different purpose. Here are some of the most common types:
Supply Catalogs
Supply catalogs are common in industries where products are sold in bulk or as a set. A supply catalog contains information about available stock, quantity, and prices. This catalog type is usually used by wholesalers or distributors who want to sell their goods to retailers or other businesses that need them for production.
Retail Catalogs
Retail catalogs are distributed directly to customers through print media like magazines or newspapers or through online means like email campaigns or social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, where people can easily share their favorite finds with their friends. This kind of catalog usually contains photos of each item along with its description, specifications, and price information, making it easier for customers.
Paper Catalogs
Paper catalogs still hold their own against digital catalogs, but their popularity is declining as technology advances. If you want to create a printed version of your product catalog, you will need to use a printer specializing in creating this type of printing project. They can help you choose the best printing paper for your product images and ensure that they look clear and professional when printed out on paper.
Gift Catalogs
The main purpose of a gift catalog is to promote gifts that would make good gifts so that customers can purchase them before Christmas or another occasion. Gift catalogs are often used by retailers who sell large numbers of different types of items to promote their entire range at once. This makes it easier for customers to find what they are looking for when they browse through the gift catalog pages instead of searching through thousands of individual pages online or in-store.
Digital Catalogs
The digital catalog is the most common type of catalog used by businesses. It is easy to set up, easy to update, and cost-effective. The digital catalog can be accessed on any device with internet access, like smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
How to Create a Catalog
A catalog is a brochure that introduces a product or service. It can also be used to introduce a concept or product line. A good catalog will include clear, crisp, and attractive product photos. The language in a catalog must be clear and concise so that your customers understand what they are buying.
When you are ready to create your own catalog, here are some tips to help you along the way:
Gather product information
The first thing you need to do is gather all the information related to your products. This includes product name, size, color, and price. You can also include other details, such as the manufacturing and expiry dates.
Gather product images
You need high-quality product images for your catalog so that people get an idea about them before they buy them. Try uploading all these images on your computer or smartphone so that you can easily include them in your catalog.
Organize your layout
A good layout helps you attractively present your product. It is important that you can organize your content so that it makes sense when viewed by the customer. You should also ensure you remember all important information, like contact details or product specifications.
Make sure you use attention-grabbing elements.
A good-looking and eye-catching cover page will help you grab the attention of your target audience. You can include your logo, name, and contact information at the top left corner of the cover page. The rest of the space should be used to show interesting pictures, products, or services your company offers.
Search for a printing company that offers wholesale printing of catalogs
There are lots of companies out there that offer wholesale printing services at affordable rates. You can check their websites and get more information about their services and packages before finalizing one for yourself.
How much does it cost to create a catalog?
The cost of creating a catalog can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the project. For example, if you are making a simple brochure for your business, you can do it yourself for about $100 – $250. However, the costs can be significantly higher if your business plans to publish a full-color catalog (which is more common for larger companies).
Conclusion
As you can see, there are some definite advantages to using a template catalog. But the truth is that it still needs to be corrected for every type of company. These products also have downsides, and there may be better choices for some things. Still, they do have many desirable qualities, and they should definitely be considered by anyone looking to increase sales or boost brand awareness through catalogs. The key is looking at your product line and situation before deciding whether a template catalog will help or hurt more.
FAQs
How do I make my own catalog?
To make your own print or digital catalog, design it in a program like Word, Publisher, Canva, or dedicated catalog software. Add branded templates with sections showcasing products/services. Feature titles, descriptions, images, pricing and contact details so customers can browse offerings and reach out.
How do I create a catalog in Word?
In Word, create a catalog by adding a cover page, table of contents, and template pages with frames for products/service content blocks including images, descriptions, specs, pricing etc. Add page numbers, headers/footers branding, category dividers, and an index. Use a clean, consistent layout for a polished look.
Can I create a catalog in Canva?
Yes, Canva offers free catalog templates to edit right within its online design platform. Customize layouts, colors, fonts that match your brand. Drag and drop your images, descriptions, icons and elements into the flexible template to create a visual, engaging catalog.
What is catalogue template?
A catalog template provides the pre-designed structure to logically showcase products/services in an attractive, branded style. Built-in sections, content blocks for details, clear labeling and organized product classifications make customizing your own catalog quick and efficient.
Is there an app to create a catalog?
Yes, apps like Catalog Machine, PageCatalog and Flipsnack offer mobile optimization and tools to quickly build interactive catalogs. You can pull in products, customize templates, and publish stylish digital catalogs for free or affordably, with premium features like analytics.
How do I create a free online catalog?
Free services like Zoho Catalog, Catalogmachine, Flipsnack, and Pages make it easy to create online catalogs. Upload products, select templates, edit content blocks for item descriptions, pricing, variants etc and publish responsive catalogs viewable on any device. Many include free starter plan options.
