From product information to sales conversation.
Convert product data to readable broadcast
Product catalog
Presenting product code, technical tables and images in a comparable layout.
Corporate publication
Collecting the company's competencies and services into a readable narrative.
Digital PDF
Separate output plan for on-screen sharing, links and file size.
Plan your catalog directly with your designer
Finding the right product is as important as making a product appear beautiful in the catalogue. As Freelance catalog designer Selçuk Aker, I place product codes, photos and technical information into a consistent page layout. This order determines whether the publication will be used in a sales meeting, at a fair or in digital sharing.
A manufacturer's technical catalog and a service company's promotional publication are not read in the same order. First, we discuss whether the catalog will be used at the fair, in the sales meeting, or via e-mail. Then we set up the page plan based on the actual content. You can review the material and output scope on the catalog design service page.
What information will save time in preparation?
Product codes must match the photographs, technical data must come from a single up-to-date source, and the section order must be determined. If there is conflicting information in different files for the same product, I mark them before proceeding with the design. Final approval of product information is the responsibility of your business.
The number of pages alone does not tell the workload. Product pages using the same template and an original technical diagram or special promotional page require different work. The current catalog and a sample product data file enable a more accurate quotation to be prepared.
Working stages in the freelance catalog project
Page layout and sample layouts
I prepare samples for the cover, section opening and product page. We evaluate font size, table density and use of photographs on these examples. Spreading the same decision over hundreds of pages before the basic direction is confirmed can create unnecessary revision.
Placing content into the system
I apply the approved layout to product groups. I expand the rules as needed for long technical information or different photo ratios. Submitting revisions with the page and product code makes it easier to track changes.
Print and digital files
I prepare the print version according to the size, bleed and output requirements of the printing house. I also check share size and links in digital PDF. Print production and catalog design are separate deliveries. Printing house offers for paper, binding and physical production should be evaluated separately.
New catalog or updating the existing catalogue?
It may not be necessary to redo the entire publication if the source files are available. I distinguish the need to add products, update prices or edit sections by examining the file. However, if you have an old PDF, it may be necessary to re-establish the page structure.
For very few products or single campaigns, a brochure rather than a catalog may be more appropriate. In the brochure and catalog selection guide I explain the differences in the use of the two materials. Instead of increasing unnecessary pages, we target the publication that the sales team will actually use.
What should you submit for a freelance catalog design price?
Share the number of products, approximate number of pages, language versions, custom tables, and need for visual preparation. I evaluate data editing, photo processing, page design and print preparation separately. We also add revision and content delivery dates to the work plan.
Product data preparation guide may be helpful for initial file sharing. Scoping with actual content rather than applying a fixed page price to all catalogs provides a more comparable offer.
Matching of product code, visual and technical table
If the photo names do not bear the product codes, there is a risk of mismatching during design. Before we start, I would like the codes in the product list to use the same logic as the image folders; We list missing photos separately.
Proofreading is not just spell checking. The brand manager must verify the product code, unit, measurement and table titles. Page design may facilitate this control, but it does not automatically ensure the accuracy of technical information.
Frequently asked questions during catalog preparation
Can we work remotely with a freelance catalog designer?
Yes. We can move forward with file sharing, online evaluation, and revision lists based on page numbers. If a print proof is required, we also determine who will do the physical check.
Do you take product photos?
This work is within the scope of catalog design. Photos come from you; I share the appropriate size and usage requirements. If shooting or extensive visual production is required, it should be planned separately.
Do you also prepare catalog texts?
Laying out existing texts and writing text from scratch are different tasks. The accuracy of technical content and product features is the responsibility of the brand. We discuss the need for text editing at the proposal stage.
Can Turkish and English catalogs be in the same file?
Maybe; but dual language changes page density and reading order. We evaluate two languages in a single publication and separate language versions according to their intended use. Delivery of approved translations is planned separately.
Can I check out the source file?
Editable file delivery, program used and associated font/image conditions are specified in the offer. The source file and the print-ready PDF are not delivered the same.
Is it necessary to re-negotiate for catalog updates?
New products, changed page count, or a different language version may create additional coverage. If you need regular updates, we can determine the periodic backlog and file version order at the beginning.
Let's determine the scope of your catalog
Share your existing catalog or product list. You can discuss page plan, content preparation and delivery formats directly with Selçuk Aker.
Is your product list ready for design?
Your sample product sheet and a few photos provide a start to estimating page needs. We can also include the old catalog in the comparison.
- Product list and approximate page needs
- Photos, technical tables and current catalog
- Language options and delivery date
