After setting schedule, you can now formulate product information and have some creative copy. This will include data such as item name, item numbers, prices, descriptions and groupings. Most native data lack comprehensive product name and description copy. Decide whether you or your design company will write additional copy essential for catalog. You must keep data to save your time and expense in case it will be needed again in future.

The next step is product photography and catalog imagery. To prepare for photography collect and categorize samples of all your products. Then label them in a distinct location with their product code. That way photographer can match product code with image filename for quick addition by designers.

The last step is selection of a printer and mail house. Printing catalogs is a fairly specialized printing process. You need to hand over to a printer at least 4 weeks prior to printing to warrant paper delivery. The printing, bindery and mailing will take about 2 weeks. Prepare your mailing data in advance of your print date. Your printer, mail house or catalog design company can assist you with data formats and schedule.

Perhaps most advantageous and cost effective catalog size is standard format (8-3/8" x 10-7/8") with 32 pages. Outside of this format, next most cost effective formats are standard format catalogs with page counts in increments of 16 pages, such as 48, 64 or 80 pages.

Send your mailing list to your printer or mail house at least 7 days before scheduled binding/addressing date so that estimated postage may be calculated and list analyzed to prevent delay. Send your postage check at least two business days prior to mail entry date.

Scheduling is a critical factor because web presses normally run 24 hour a day, 6-7 days a week. If you see that your disks and other concerns may not get to your printer on time, be sure to tell them right away. You can prevent delay if you file delays in advance. Web presses may still have flexibility to make alteration in schedule that will allow you to meet your deadliest deadlines.