Print catalogs have been around for over 100 years. But even in our increasingly digital world, they remain an effective marketing tool that delivers results.
As a professional China catalog printing manufacturer, I will share 10 reasons why you should print a catalog in 2024 to market your business or products.
Catalogs Can Influence Purchasing Decisions
Research shows that print catalogs can have a stronger influence on purchase decisions than websites or TV ads. Nearly 75% of people say catalogs make them more interested in a company’s products. And over 80% have purchased an item after seeing it in a print catalog.
The reason is that print catalogs are tactile and active. They engage multiple senses, create an emotional connection, and entice people to take action.
Tips to Increase Influence
- Highlight popular sellers – Feature your best-selling items prominently to grab attention.
- Use high-quality images – Vivid product images that allow people to easily imagine using your items can boost sales.
Catalogs Inspire Deeper Engagement
Print catalog mailings have increased steadily since 2015, even among digital-focused retailers. That’s because print catalogs can transport people into an experience with your brand on an emotional level.
One jewelry retailer saw a 15% sales lift from adding a bi-monthly print catalog campaign with artistic photography. The enhanced product vividness eased product imagination and boosted engagement.
Tips to Boost Engagement
- Share stories – Help readers connect with products through origin stories or creative uses.
- Limited-time offers – Sparking a sense of urgency can increase interaction and sales.
Catalogs Support Omnichannel Journeys
Catalogs introduce ideas, build awareness, and inspire buyers to purchase through other channels like your website or brick-and-mortar store. Research confirms catalogs have the biggest impact when incorporated into cross-channel campaigns.
Tips for Omnichannel Success
- Consistent branding – Use the same tone and visuals across print, digital, and social.
- Multiple calls-to-action – Include website links, phone numbers, and mail-in options.
The Print Medium Boosts Recall and Emotion
Neuroscience reveals that print ads spark better recall and stronger emotional reactions vs. digital ads. Region scans show physical media creates deeper brain connections linked to evaluating desirability and purchase intent.
Tips to Leverage Print’s Advantages
- Map the journey – See where catalogs fit into your customer experience based on behavior.
- Test formats – Beyond standard sizes, try different formats to see what resonates.
Print Bridges Physical + Digital Worlds
Catalogs allow for integrating digital technology like augmented reality, QR codes, and NFC to drive traffic to websites, apps, and social media. The print platform comes alive to deliver interactive mobile experiences.
Tips to Blend Print and Digital
Leverage Informed Delivery – Add digital impressions to physical mail for dual exposure.
Catalogs Deliver Ease, Convenience + Leisure
The leisurely pace of catalogs provides an escape from digital noise. Readers can take their time discovering new items over coffee at their convenience. Focused selections also save them search effort.
Tips for Easy, Enjoyable Reads
- Creative designs – Aesthetics and visual appeal make catalogs stand out.
- Quarterly mailings – Optimal timing and scarcity promote anticipation and excitement.
All Generations Enjoy Physical Mail
Despite prevailing digital usage, households still report strong attachment to mail, especially catalogs. Millennials may be the most engaged, spending more time reading, but baby boomers also have fond childhood memories around catalogs.
Tips to Leverage Direct Mail Love
- List accuracy – Validate addresses to ensure optimal deliverability.
- Mail match-back – Sync customer data between digital and physical channels.
Measurement Attribution Is Straightforward
Thanks to mail dates, codes, and trackable digital drivers, catalog performance is easy to monitor. You can attribute sales to specific catalogs then tailor inventory, offers, etc. accordingly.
Tips for Optimizing Campaigns
- Implement key codes – Match catalog codes to buyers for insights.
- Conduct A/B testing – Test syncing online data to catalogs.
Catalogs Enable Personalization
Big data and captured buyer behavior allow enhanced personalization based on past purchases, product interest, purchase frequency, and more. You can even adjust catalog volume based on buyer value.
Tips to Make It Personal
- Showcase distinct products – Target catalog niche product lines to engaged segments.
- Customize with past purchase data – Feature known individual preferences.
Catalogs Have Strong ROI
Considering all the above advantages, it’s no wonder retailers see substantial return on investment from incorporating print catalogs. One study saw a 870% catalog ROI increase when combined with email marketing.
The reasons why you should print a catalog in 2024 boil down to tangible business results. As part of an omnichannel approach, print catalogs enable personalization, convenience, emotional connections and seamless attribution.
In our increasingly fragmented mediaverse, print catalogs remain a vital touchpoint for engaging customers. The tactile print medium delivers an experience that digital channels simply cannot replicate.