Catalog Printing - Booklet Printing

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According to ThePrintGuide.com

Are you looking for custom printed catalogs? Before searching for that custom printed catalog supplier take a look below at some valuable information to help you become a wiser consumer.

First – What is a printed catalog?

Custom printed catalogs are multi-page documents that allow customers to view and purchase your products and/or services. Catalogs are great documents for complimenting other forms of businesses media like a website, a brochure, or a flyer. The standard sizes available for custom printed catalogs are: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 8-1/2" x 11", 8-1/2" x 11, or 11 x 17.

Second – Benefits of custom catalogs.

A custom printed catalog has numerous benefits, here are just a few:

To acts as a constant representative of your business.
To accompany other forms of communication, i.e. a website, or flyer, or brochure.
To have constant access to products or services.
To showcase your products or services in detail, like a sales kit.

Tip: Research has shown that having a printed catalog of your products will generate 10%-20% more sales if combined with a website.

Whether its a simple folded or an elaborate 40 page catalog, allowing your customers a means of ordering your products or services in as many ways as possible is vital. ThePrintGuide has a list of Recommended Custom Catalog Printing Suppliers, take a look.

Third - How Should I Design my catalog?

Communication is the #1 goal of any design. There are a number of things that can be included in a your design that will grab a readers attention. Ask yourself these questions.

How many pages will it have? Are you going to have room to print the content and graphics you have decided upon?
Are you going to print in full color?
Have you thought about the paper you are going to print on? Most printed items look best on plain glossy paper with aqueous coating?
How often will your catalog or booklet be distributed? Do you want to create template into which information can be plugged in each month?
Will you provide graphics? Most printers have graphics on file that you may be able to use.
Will ordering information be included within your catalog? A separate brochure or flyer can be printed alongside your catalog or booklet to include this critical information.

Here are a few concepts that can give your custom printed catalog design a more dramatic feel and sharper look.

Alignment - Most people unknowingly prefer symmetry. They look for lines, shapes, circles and patterns. Knowing this, make sure the images, graphics and text are designed to direct the most attention possible.
Parallelism – Parallelism, or repetition is achieved when throughout the document you keep the same feel and tone by using the same colors, fonts, and types of graphics or images; this will give your custom printed catalog a professional look and feel.

Fourth - What type of paper do I use for my catalog?

Don't forget to consider the performance characteristics needed when selecting a paper. While cost and look are important, strength can also play a determining factor. Here are a few characteristics to consider when choosing paper:

Surface strength – This measures the ability of a paper’s surface to resist ripping when ink is applied. When fibers flake off of the paper a coating blister forms and can produce holes in the ink coverage.
Tear strength – This refers to the ability of a paper to resist tearing.
Bursting – Bursting measures the ability of a paper to withstand rupturing. This is important for packaging, bags and envelopes but not writing or printing papers.
Tensile strength - The extent that a paper can be stretched without breaking.

Fifth – Binding my printed catalog.

There are six types of standard stitching available for catalog binding: perfect binding, saddle-stitched binding, side-stitched binding, case binding, plastic comb binding, and three-ring binding. Catalog Binding FAQ. With these many different types of stitching available it can be a bit confusing. Most printing companies are aware of what type of binding works best, take a look at ThePrintGuide.com list of catalog printing companies.

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