What are Catalogs?
A catalog is a list of items written or arranged in a systematic order. That is the textbook definition of catalogs. In day to day life, the most common types of catalogs we often see are product catalogs. These product catalogs can come in the form of fashion catalogs, service catalogs, jewelry catalogs, and retail catalogs.
How to Make Great Catalogs
Creating catalogs is no easy task. Apart from worrying about the content you should input in catalogs, the catalog layout is also a cause for concern. Catalogs can come in different forms and layouts. However, all catalogs essentially contain the same general elements, which are: product designs, product descriptions, and company contact information.
1. List Down the Products You Want to Include
The first thing you should do when making a creative catalog lists down the products (or services) you have to offer. After doing this, you should have a guide on the necessary content you need to collect for your product catalog. Creating a list of the products you want to offer will also allow you to be able to do a quick scan of what your company can actually give.
2. Write the Product Descriptions
Product catalogs are a great way to market your products. When writing product descriptions, make sure to take on a positive tone. You will want to convince the readers to buy your products, so try to make your writing sound excited. However, you should remember to state factual descriptions. Avoid stretching the truth, and fabricating information. Remember this when creating your printable catalog.
3. Use Good Photographs for Your Catalog
Why do people upload good photos on Instagram? Because it is a platform that highlights well-taken pictures. Making catalogs is similar. Pictures are a very important element in your modern catalog because these can help convince customers to purchase a product. To enhance photos, don't hesitate to utilize photo editing programs like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom. Great photos are especially important when showcasing furniture, fashion products, and clothing.
4. Catalogs Need to be Engaging
Aside from sounding enthusiastic and assured when describing products, your catalog has to be understandable and comprehensible. Like a magazine, it must also exude a friendly and warm vibe that will attract customers and buyers. For example, toy catalogs often showcase photos of children playing with each other and pair them up with catchy slogans or captions.
5. Organization is Fundamental
Always remember to organize your sample catalogs properly. To do this, you must group products together into sections. For example, if you are making a furniture catalog, you can group the furniture products into Dining Room, Living Room, Bedroom, and so on. You can also group and arrange your products by price range. Remember to make it systematic and sensible.
6. Remember to Include an Order Form
An order form is a vital form to include in your catalog. This is how your customers can purchase their chosen products. You may find this a cumbersome task to do, but remember that this is important. An order form must contain all the essential information: like the sender's name, their address, their purchased product, and so on.
