Paper vs. Digital Catalogs
 

Can I get opinions, please?

Since we're getting ready to print a catalog here, I was wondering...

When you request a catalog from a company, do you prefer a paper catalog or a digital catalog (CD)?

Just looking for some input.

Thanks and Happy New year.
~Theresa~

I've always preferred a paper catalog. That and a nice easy to navigate website!

Jody

I like paper better. Can put them on a shelf in the garage, then reach for them when you need something, without running over to a computor.

Im a big fan of paper, that way my girlfriend has something to store under the sink in the bathroom... :thumbsup:

Ugh... I work so hard on the catalog and it's destiny is your potty publication?
(thanks for the visual)
:rolleyes:

I like to have a paper catalog.

I prefer a paper catalog if it is available. Since I work in the graphic industry I certainly promote print :)

The second thing you should have is of course a PDF-file of the catalog for download. The full catalog and then maybe sections of it.

One thing with PDF-catalogs is that you can make them interactive and searchable if you put in some effort in it. Sorry to say but that is seldom the case, most companies only save the print catalog as a PDF without make use of the PDF-formats advantages. On such example is Classic Industires 700+ pages catalog. The registry can be made clickable so that you will go to the page in question with one simple click.

If you like I can help you out with some questions regarding the catalog and PDF, you know where to find me ;)

Since i am overseas it is easier to download a PDF and print it myself on my laser, or just look at it on the monitor.

Jan

Wow, Jan...that is awfully nice of you. I'll take you up on learning some tricks of PDF as soon as we're ready. Right now, on our website, we have the full catalog in PDF only - but simple... flat files. I'd like to improve upon that. With your help, of course. Thanks. :thumbsup:
Happy new year!
~Theresa~

Well- all those catalogs on CD at PRI were nice, as lugging around those multiple bags of freebies got to be a major pain (ok- I'll quit whining).

Paper here- with good pics, and good, descriptive info. Don't just extoll the virtues of your product- show it in use or installed.

I'm with Jan on the fully-searchable PDF catalog. While print catalogs are nice, I like to be able to hit a website and download a catalog immediately rather than spending $5 "for shipping and handling" and waiting 4 weeks to get the catalog in the mail. I save the catalogs to my desktop, and can open then from the laptop rather than dragging out piles of paper catalogs.

Also, the PDF catalogs can be updated faster without wasting printed catalogs- there's nothing worse than finding a price error the day after you take delivery of 5,000 printed catalogs ;)

Bob