Custom Catalog Printing Services | Catalog Mailing | Los Angeles and Ventura Co. CA | Clear Print

In a generation dominated by digital marketing, the enduring effectiveness of print catalogs surprises many marketers. Far from being obsolete, custom print catalogs continue to drive sales and build brand loyalty. Most importantly, they offer impressive returns on investment across industries. Below we discuss why savvy marketers are leveraging catalog printing services. Then we look at the design, printing, finishing, and mailing options available here at Clear Print in Chatsworth, CA.

Why Custom Print Catalogs?

Compared to print marketing materials such as postcards or brochures, print catalogs require a bigger investment. Despite this, catalogs continue to be used as a significant marketing pillar in nearly all industries. There are compelling reasons to seriously consider print catalogs.

Catalogs are an effective sales tool. It’s easy to present any type of product in depth and with great visual detail. With very few space limitations, catalogs allow companies to fully describe how their products solve problems.

Catalogs showcase all a brand’s products or services. Few customers will remember every product or service offered by any given company. Catalogs in the hands of clients serve as an ongoing reminder.

Catalogs are an effective branding tool. They can offer complete company and team information, which also builds credibility and trust.

Catalogs are multi-channel. They can be used in direct mail, at trade shows and conferences, at in-store or in-plant displays, by salespeople on the road, or by inside customer service reps. They can also be used over the phone by a sales rep talking the client through relevant pages.

At Clear Print, we can make an interactive PDF with a page-flipping feature for easy navigation plus QR codes and other links the customer can click to take them to your website or a specific landing page. QR codes and AR codes can drive traffic to any of the brand’s digital marketing channels.

A well-designed catalog establishes credibility and trust. It demonstrates that the company is serious about their business and their products or services.

Print Catalog ROI

Studies continue to prove that custom print catalogs can pay off handsomely, offering a solid return on investment.

❑ Online revenues increased up to 163% when a site is supported by print catalogs! (US Postal Service Survey)

❑ 84% of catalog recipients find it easier to shop online with a catalog in hand. (US Post Office Survey)

❑ 60% of catalog recipients visit the website of the company that sent it. In comparison, the average click-through-rate for email is only around 7%. (Hubspot)

❑ 39% of marketers increased traffic to a brick-and-mortar store or office when they combined print with digital. (The Future of Direct Mail White Paper, US Postal Service Commissioned Study, 2019)

❑ In the same survey, 60% of marketers got increased ROI with print + digital campaigns, with up to 40% conversion rates.

Paper Stocks for Custom Catalogs

Catalog printing usually involves a heavier paper stock for the cover and a coated or uncoated stock for the inside pages.

Clients who want a more unique, high-end catalog have many options available. Regarding paper, one simple way to get a luxury feel is to upgrade to a heavier weight cover stock and a better quality sheet for the inside pages.

We discuss additional finishing options below that can add unique, premium elements to a catalog. Because there are so many options for paper, printing, and finishing, it’s always a good idea to talk with an experienced catalog printing services provider like Clear Print.

Popular Catalog Sizes

Three of the most popular catalog sizes are 8.5×11″, 6 x9” and 5.5×8.5″. That’s because they can be laid out efficiently on the sheet sizes that are readily available. This keeps paper costs down and simplifies printing and binding. Standard sizes also fit a wide range of standard envelopes. Better postage rates are also available with standard sizes.

However, catalogs can be designed and printed at almost any size needed by a client, although unusual custom sizes can increase the paper costs.

Printing Options at Clear Print

Clear Print uses both digital printing and offset printing (lithography).

Digitally printed catalogs allow for affordable production in small to medium quantities. Offset printing is typically used for longer runs.

The printing method used depends on the requirements of the print job. Factors that affect the choice of print technology include quantity, print finishing methods, personalization, and variable data requirements. The advantage to having both technologies available at Clear Print is that clients always get a premium job at the best possible price, delivered on time.

Catalog Print Finishes and Finishing Options

Here is a list of the popular print finishing options available for catalog covers and for interior pages. Print finishes and other finishing options should always be discussed during the design phase.

Lamination – a thin film is applied to the paper.

Soft touch lamination – the film has a soft, velvety touch that adds a luxurious feel to the page.

Varnish – clear liquid coatings available in gloss, satin, and matte finishes. Highlights specific areas or an entire page and can also be used to prevent scuffing or scratches.

UV coating –  These durable high-gloss or dull coatings can be applied overall or to specific areas of  to highlight photos or other design features.

Raised spot gloss UV coating – a gloss UV coating has a depth that can be seen and felt, similar to embossing but without the cost of dies.

Foil stamping – foils add bright colors to a design. Available in gold, metallic colors, pigments, clear, or holographic images. Cold foiling doesn’t require dies while hot foiling does require dies. Raised foils are thicker than conventional foils and stand out even more.

Embossing and debossing – embossing creates a raised, 3D effect. Debossing does the opposite. Both require special dies.

Die cutting – custom shapes are cut out using special dies. Windows cut out of a cover that show a design element on the page beneath is one example of die cutting for catalogs.

Catalog Binding Options at Clear Print

The two most common methods for binding catalogs are saddle stitching and perfect binding.

Saddle stitching, also called saddle binding, binds the folded sheets together with two or more wire stitches (staples) on the spine (image below). It’s generally suitable for catalogs of no more than about 68 pages or so, depending on the thickness of the paper and cover. Catalogs with more pages require perfect binding. Saddle stitched catalogs must be designed in multiples of four pages. (A single sheet of paper has 2 sides, so it’s referred to as 2 pages.)

Perfect binding is a process in which the inside pages are gathered in sequence to form a book block. A cover is then wrapped around the block and glued. Paperback books are one example of perfect binding. Annual reports are often perfect bound because it gives a premium feel to the book. Perfect bound catalogs can be created in multiples of two pages.

While these two catalog binding methods above are the most common, there are other binding options available, depending on the end user requirements. The one listed below aren’t typically used for catalogs, but it is an option that might be suitable for certain situations.

Coil Binding is a bookbinding method in which a continuous round plastic or metal coil is wound through the pages to hold them together. Coil-bound books open to 360 degrees and lay flat. Coils are available in black and other colors including PMS. This binding method is ideal for notebooks, calendars, manuals, or workbooks (image below).

Wire-O Binding, also known as twin-loop binding or double-loop binding, uses a formed wire that is similar in look and function to coil binding (image below). Wire-O loops are also available in a range of colors.

Plastic Comb Binding (GBC Binding)

Plastic comb binding is commonly called GBC binding, a trade name for a manufacturer of comb binding products. The plastic comb method uses a plastic “comb” that wraps through rectangular holes punched along the edge of the pages as shown below. The comb also acts as a spine that covers the edge of the book’s pages.

Catalog Mailing and Fulfillment

Clear Print also offers mailing services for catalogs as well as any other marketing materials. Postal regulations and pricing are complex, but Clear Print, with more than 43 years of mailing experience, works with clients to get the best possible postal discounts for every catalog mailing.

Additional Direct Mail Options

In addition to getting the best postage discounts, Clear Print has an in-depth list of direct mail options available to enhance catalog printing projects including:

• Creative mailing strategies such as handwritten addresses and sticky notes
• List Compilation & Procurement
• NCOA & CASS Certification
• Variable Data / Personalization
• Inserting
• Tabbing
• Presorting
• Ink Jet Imprinting (both black and color)
• Bar Coding

Turnaround Time – Catalog Printing Services

Turnaround time for catalogs depends on the many factors mentioned above. Clear Print’s digital and offset printing capabilities means that clients have catalog printing options that match nearly any scheduling requirements. And once committed to a schedule, Clear Print guarantees delivery on time.

Print Catalog Sustainability

Clear Print is committed to sustainability in papers, inks, and processes. Wherever possible, they make use of eco-friendly papers and substrates certified by sustainable forestry organizations.  They also use vegetable-based inks whenever practical.

Their print methodology and production process minimizes waste by using computer-controlled pre-press, press, and bindery equipment along with efficient scheduling. Digital printing also means that clients can frequently reduce press run lengths without adding cost. In turn, this shortens turnaround times and reduces the need for expensive, wasteful print inventories.

Clear Print’s sustainability initiatives from beginning to end of the catalog printing process ensures that clients can meet consumer demand for responsibly source marketing materials, including catalogs.

Get a Quote for Catalog Printing Services | Los Angeles and Ventura County CA

For companies ready to produce a well-designed catalog that showcases their products, tells a compelling brand story, and gets readers to act, contact Clear Print. Call them at 818-709-1220 or use the Request a Quote button below to submit catalog specifications.

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