Fool Proofing Your Catalogs

Mistakes in printed marketing collaterals are costly. This is especially true for catalog printing. The good thing is that these mistakes can be avoided with proper planning and careful proofreading. It is absolutely essential to ensure that dummies are free from errors, be it in the substance or minor typographical errors. Read on and learn what you can do to avoid costly mistakes in custom catalog printing.

Know Thy Size.
The old saying that size does not matter is not always true - well, maybe for some other considerations. Anyway, in catalog printing, size does matters.

If you want to save a few bucks, learn about the variations in prices in relation to the sizes. Do you really need a large format for your custom catalog printing or just an ordinary sized one? The objectives of your catalogs will define the answer to the question of size. By knowing what your catalogs intend to do, as well as your target audience, you would be able to get an idea of the size of your prints. There is also another consideration in terms of size. For instance, factors like color separation also depends on the size of the print catalog.

The More, the Merrier.
Another saying, ‘The more, the merrier,' is also true for custom catalog printing. Plan your orders so that you can order in bulk. As you may well know, the higher the quantity, the cheaper it becomes. Secondly, if you plan your orders, you avoid second print runs which tend to be more costly. Talk to your catalog printing company and discuss with them the difference in costs. This way you can see how much your budget would allow for large quantities.

Create Smart Dummies.
A dummy should not just be a dummy. Create your own dummy or mock up to make sure you have all the right specs. Your dummy can help you see the actual catalog, e.g. the pictures and images, the font sizes, lay-out, etc. Your local printer would be more than willing to help you create a dummy for you because it saves them a lot of time.

Review. Review. Review.
This is the most basic advice I can offer. This advice cannot be overemphasized. This is the reason why a lot of catalog printing overshoots costs. Often times, a lot of catalogs, brochures, or posters look unprofessional because of errors. Wrong spellings, grammatical lapses, wrong captions make your marketing tool look amateurish. Re-printing after a full order has been delivered is definitely a no-no. So invest in proofreading your dummies - the more people to check on your job, the more mistakes that can be captured.

Consider the Paper Texture.
There are different kinds of paper. Depending on what you want to project, there is a particular type of paper for it. For instance, if you are selling a perfume, you do not want to have print catalogs on cheap paper. Your paper tells a lot about an image. When it feels cheap to the touch, then you'd better change your paper choice because it'll just make you look amateurish and unprofessional.

When you talk to your printers, ask for a few samples. Do not be intimidated by your printers. Your printers are your friend; otherwise, walk out and look for another printing company. Be patient in discussing what you specifically like because this will make sure that you have the right print for the right price.