Catalogs are often the lifeblood of many product retailer and wholesalers. While many companies publish online catalogs, print catalogs are still popular and desired by those who use them to browse product listings/descriptions before making purchases. When looking to have a catalog printed, here are few things to discuss with your printer before going to press:
Size (Dimension) of Catalog
While 8.5” x 11” is something of a standard size, ask your printer what size of catalog best matches their capabilities of producing. In some instances, your printer might recommend a size slightly smaller than 8.5” x 11” (e.g., 8.25” x 10.75” or 8” x 10”, etc.). As cost is always an issue, your printer may recommend a preferred dimension to get the best print value possible.
How Many Catalogs?
Knowing in advance how many catalogs you intend to produce lets your printer know what kind of equipment will be need to produce that quantity in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. Smaller runs (e.g., 200 catalogs) might be readily produced on a digital press; larger quantities (e.g., 2,000 – 5,000) would require an offset press; quantities in excess of 10,000 might call for a web offset press.
How Many Pages in the Catalog?
The number of pages in the catalog tells your printer what kind of binding can or should be used to bind the pages. For catalogs with lower page counts, saddle-stitch binding may suffice; for catalogs with higher page counts, perfect binding might be the most appropriate choice.
What Kind of Paper Stock?
Generally, the lighter/thinner the paper stock, the less costly the catalog will be to produce. However, depending on the nature of the catalog, it’s sometimes important not to go with the absolute lightest/thinnest stock — as information from one side of a printed sheet will often “bleed” through or be visible from the other side. Another consideration is if the catalog will be printed in full-color throughout or just on the cover. Full-color images invariably look better on a coated stock whether in a matte or satin-gloss finish.
How Many Ink Colors?
Do you intend to feature full-color images throughout your catalog from covers to interior pages? Or, will the catalog have a full-color cover with interior pages printed in one (typically black ink) or two spot colors? In some instances, it may be more cost-efficient to print everything in full-color. Your printer can advise and suggest the best approach to take.
How Much Bleed?
A popular approach is to feature full-bleed imagery on catalog covers with non-bleed interior pages. Full-bleeds throughout the catalog will be more costly.
How Frequently will Catalog be Updated/Published?
For some companies, a product/service catalog might be published once a year or once every two years, etc. Knowing how frequently you intend to produce a catalog will let your printer develop a strategy to realize the most cost-effective approach going forward. If a catalog will be on a once-a-year, twice-a-year, once-every-two-years kind of production schedule, it may make sense to increase production values (e.g., full-color, heavier paper stock, protective coatings ) as the catalog will be used over a greater period of time. For catalogs produced more frequently (quarterly, monthly), going the least expensive route is likely to be the best strategy.
If you have any questions about Catalogs, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
Photo by micheile henderson
