Have you ever made a cataloge

[dazzul]

Thats another question do you keep your catalouge and price list seperate?

[socialgiraffe]

If you need help with a catalogue I do have a few pointers, my background is book design and I know a thing or two about these things and I also know Indesign very well.

Firstly set yourself a grid. Probably best to have four products per page. If you want to highlight something you can always use two grid spaces. have a look at the BTC catalogue or the Grafitype Catalogue. They use grids. it makes it very easy to remove or add things in.

the number of catalogue pages must be divide by four including cover. If you need to beef it up then you can always add in things like T&C's or an about us page.

Once you have your grid then each product needs to follow a set pattern to make it easy for the reader. Typically a product name, then a product code, possibly some technical specs (i.e. how its printed) a brief description and then prices. I have always found ones without prices a pain in the neck, even if the price list is separate. If you need help with a style sheet in Indesign I can probably help. It should not take me too long.

Design wise keep the number of fonts to a minimum (2 styles per page is more than enough) and use font weights and sizes to highlight specific points etc.

Group your products properly. For example do not put a photo mug inbetween a couple of phone cases.

Number your pages and remember that odd numbers are always on the right hand page (a good way to remember this is that page 3 has always been on the right hand page)

I am sure there is stuff I have missed and if I think of anything else then I will post. Likewise I am sure there are some things I have listed that you have already thought about, but you will be surprised at how many I see that are so bad it is embarrassing and they will always end up in the bin.

Hope the above helps.

[dazzul]

Wow, Thank you for that super duper post.
I will try and reply in the same order you did,
First your talking about grids, now im assuming this is a indesign thing, ive looked on the net for a simple template with 4 items per page, i was looking for 4 images with just a little desc under each. similar to how the argos book is laid. So far i have found nothing but tomorrow i am going to find some tutorials on grids. If you could knock up a basic example for me to work from i would be very grateful

As you said with grouping thats what i had in mind, but i was wondering how would i merge them in so each new section has a "sub" front cover. I think putting the prices on won't harm anyone as i plan to make it digital and not a printed one at first.

Knowing me, im terrible doing my own design work i will end up changing the fonts ect loads.

Page numbers would be good, was thinking about a footer on everypage with page number and web address on. (remembering page 3)

I did try and have a play at merging from excel but i think i broke it, got angry and closed it

Ive seen some bad ones and would like mine to be nice and easy on they eye, but also easy when running a random one off in colour, if i were to get these properly printed then i would edit the design.

Again thanks for your reply and sorry for being a pain in the ass.

Daz

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Daz

With respect to grids, I was referring to the design. Whatever program is used to actually produce the software you want something that is simple and clean. By using a grid you end up with a design that is consistent and easy to manipulate as each product uses the same amount of space.

I have quickly knocked up something showing what I mean. Each grey box represents 1 product. If you want to highlight a particular product you just merge two boxes. Consistency is key.

Also, if you are only going to send out as a PDF I would recommend a PDF that is suitable for viewing on a screen. Most people will produce their catalogue to a set paper print size (A4 or A5 etc), but then only email it out. If this is the case then why not make the original PDF to the screen dimensions which are more square ish.

Lastly, I have never merged with Excel as I am not sure that it is stable enough. Word or inputting direct is easiest.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]1846[/ATTACH]

[smo]

Definately put page numbers on every page (except page 1) We alternate what is on the footer, so one page will be our telephone number, next page web address, then back to phone again etc.

I wouldnt use covers for sections, you might find coloured tabs along the outside edge make sections easy to find and identify and require less space and design input than full cover pages for sections. They dont have to be cut tabs, simply coloured bars at different heights along the side (hard to explain, sorry).

If its being printed then consider using a heavyweight cover and lightweight inner, we like 90-105gsm inner with a 170gsm cover silk FSC throughout, gives it a nice feel and keeps the weight down. Dont forget to consider the posting method and cost, we use A5 for printed so it can be sent as a letter and keep the weight under 100g for the same reason - that way postage is approx 22p each using a bulk mail service.

[dazzul]

Wow if that was a quick example i need to brush on my skills, i was trying and trying. Did you make that in indesign ?
Also when you say merge from word, how does that work?

Smo about the sections maybe where social has put the page number i could make it larger and add the section name there, each with there own colour. Also thanks for the pointers on paper weight.

As for paper size, making more "screen" friendly would be good then, but keeping it a standard paper size would also help so it could then also be printed. What you think?

Daz

[smo]

Daz - Yes, where Social put the page numbers on the outer edge (if it were printed) make that larger to hold section name and add a unique colour for each section for easy reference.

A5 is probably the best compromise for screen-reading and printing. A4 is too big for many screens to read as a page and also costs more to print and post should it become a printed catalogue.

Dont forget too, make it at 300dpi for print and then when you save it as a PDF use the PDF/X-1A standard to save it for print and simply downscale the res to 72dpi when saving for screen use otherwise the files will be MASSIVE!

[dazzul]

Yeah thats similar to what i do when im emailing people proofs so thats the easy bit for me, its just the indesign im stuck with Im photoshop born and bread .

A5 sounds like a way forward.

Daz

[Johnny]

You should look into Master Pages as you can set variable data points in your left and right pages, ie self-calculating page numbers. Also Master Pages (which there can be multiple variations of) can be set with different page border/devider definitions so you can have a set of pages with eight products on, then you set one to a single page where you want to highlight a product.
Remember though, InDesign is a layout program, you want to do full graphic designs use Illustrator, you want to manipulate photos use Photoshop. Think of it as the thing that brings it all together.
I put together a monthly magazine in Birmingham so I get to use it most days. And Yes, A5 is certainly a good place to be!
J.

[dazzul]

What magazine is that and wheres my copy!

I havent got round to playing with it but i shall learn over the weekend.