Finally, let’s see the costs to create a professional catalog. It is difficult to spend less than €2,000 for a catalog graphics project. Then, you should expect to add between €20 and €45 per single paginated page (unless you use an automatic publishing service). A 300-page catalog made for the first time without an automatic system could cost up to €10,000–12,000. Pricing depends a lot on how complex the product is and how many references it contains. By “references,” we mean all of the names, descriptions, and values used. A catalog of modular furniture where each product is described in a chart of measurements and finishings could cost up to €40–45 per page.
An automatic publishing system can reduce costs considerably. Creating an editorial project with a cloud database publishing system can cost € 2,000–8,000, depending on the complexity of the document.
Make a catalog – The printing phase
Now we’ve found out how to make a catalog, let’s move to the printing phase. Finding a good printer is relatively easy, but to find the right one, you need to look over the price. In practical terms, the printer is often the last line of defense before documents go to print.
Especially if you are creating your first catalog, or if you are teaming up with an experienced agency or professional, do not skimp on printing. If you can find a good printer, one who can help you in difficult or unexpected situations, keep him or her close to you. The printing process is a difficult one, and there are thousands of variables to manage to make everything good. Do not put pressure on your printer when it comes to timing, because you risk forcing the development of rushed conditions, such as drying inks or binding glue. You may be able to force some processes, but you run the risk of unpleasant surprises.
Printing costs depend on many variables, such as:
- Number of copies to be printed
- Number of pages in the catalog
- Paper quality
- Special processing (e.g., thumb index)
Below are some examples of the most common types of catalogs.
Printing costs – Catalog 1
- 300 pages
- Softcover perfect binding
- Size: 21 x 29.7 cm (A4)
- Paper: Classic demi-matte – coated matting
- Paper weight: 130 gr
- Cover paper weight: 250 gr
Copies |
Total cost |
Cost per copy |
100 |
€ 1.100,00 |
€ 11,00 |
200 |
€ 2.000,00 |
€ 10,00 |
500 |
€ 4.100,00 |
€ 8,20 |
1000 |
€ 5.300,00 |
€ 5,30 |
2000 |
€ 7.800,00 |
€ 3,90 |
5000 |
€ 15.000,00 |
€ 3,00 |
10000 |
€ 28.000,00 |
€ 2,80 |
Printing costs – Catalog 2
- 800 pages
- Stitched paperback binding
- Size: 21 x 29.7 cm (A4)
- Paper: Classic demi-matte – coated matting
- Paper weight: 115 gr
- Hardcover
Copies |
Total cost |
Cost per copy |
500 |
€ 13.200,00 |
€ 26,40 |
1.000 |
€ 16.500,00 |
€ 16,50 |
5.000 |
€ 43.000,00 |
€ 8,60 |
10.000 |
€ 76.000,00 |
€ 7,60 |
What type of style guide do you recommend to follow for industrial product catalogs?
Thank you!
Hello Mary,
We don’t have a standard style guide for the creation of industrial products catalogs, but you can take inspiration from our templates: https://pagination.com/templates/
Feel free to contact us anytime to talk about your project, maybe we can help you to create your catalogs.
Riccardo
so nice man
we use it and its perfect article
thank you
Hi,
Is it possible to automate the master pdf catalog in our website by integrating internal PDM tools and website?
We need something (Tool/software) that linked or integrated to out system so that whenever any changes happen in our internal PDM tools and on our website (example : part become obsolete, deleted, restricted or new part created or new part promoted on our website). we want the same to be automatically updated to out master pdf catalog without human intervention!
looking for your Answer!
regards
Shreyes