Catalogue Printing
At QinPrinting, we take great pride in the success of our clients’ catalogues. Let us help you elevate your catalogue marketing campaign!
A comprehensive consumer survey conducted by Australia Post revealed that your customers still enjoy the pleasure of browsing products and reading articles in a printed catalogue. Many keep them and share them with friends, family, and colleagues. People love catalogues. They feel more confident purchasing from them, even if the transaction is made online.
At QinPrinting, we believe your customers deserve a catalogue whose quality reflects the high standards of your business – one that acts as a powerful ambassador for your brand and products. It boosts customer loyalty, spreads the word, and delivers measurable returns on investment. With 25 years of success in the industry, an expert team, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional customer service, we’re as proud of our stellar reputation as a publisher of premium catalogues as you are of your business success.
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QinPrinting Rated Excellent
They produced an excellent product that was printed, shipped and arrived within the expected timescales.
Emails were responded to quickly by Susan.
The whole process was smooth and straightforward.
What a delight!
Whenever I have a creative idea, their team goes above and beyond to help bring it to life. I’ve printed four comic books with them, and each time, they’ve exceeded my expectations. If you’re considering a printer, take a chance on these friendly, reliable folks—they truly value your business. - Chad Townsend, Creator of The Black Phantom.
But working with Nelson was an absolute pleasure. He patiently addressed all my concerns, and my final printed book was just as I would hope it would be.
Specialist Wholesale and Broker Catalogue Printing Services
If you’re a wholesaler, print broker, or design company, we can offer you exceptional wholesale catalogue printing services. Our competitive wholesale prices, combined with top-quality service and fast turnaround times—as quick as 3 to 5 days—make our offer hard to beat. You can also take advantage of free training with us and a range of paper samples to help you enhance the services you provide to your clients. Your success is our success, so we work tirelessly to support you.
Common Printed Catalogue Sizes
The size of your catalogue is entirely up to you, but it typically depends on your graphical and photographic content, text layout, orientation, paper choices, and any specialised finishes you may want—such as embossing, debossing, die-cutting, or soft-touch lamination, for example. A comprehensive product catalogue, published annually and printed in a large format on gloss art paper with a gold embossed cover design, running to 500 pages, for instance, will cost more than a single-page seasonal catalogue designed to promote a time-limited sale.
At QinPrinting, we’re happy to create custom catalogues in any size or format you prefer. Just bear in mind that extensive customisation incurs higher costs and slower turnaround times, as more pre-press work and setup are required. However, for some organisations, the added investment could be worthwhile. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but most of our clients opt for the standard sizes. They have good reasons, too, other than just keeping costs down. You’ll need to consider consumer expectations, storage, handling, distribution costs, and several other factors.
The standard size for most product catalogues is 210 mm by 297 mm (A4 size, commonly used across Europe, the UK, and Australia). However, we also print many seasonal or sale catalogues in the smaller 148 mm by 210 mm size, which is almost “pocket-sized”.
Catalogue Paper Options
While most catalogues are a mix of images and text, the trend in modern catalogue design is moving towards more photography and less text. This approach links the physical printed catalogue to online information using scannable QR codes, which direct readers to websites, technical specifications, or sales pages online. But in almost all cases, you’ll need to choose paper that ensures good photo reproduction and readable text. We recommend printing on gloss or matte text paper to achieve the best results. Both gloss and matte have ideal surfaces for vibrant printing, reproducing your photographs with true colours, perfect contrast, and fine detail. Gloss paper is often best for catalogues with full-colour photo spreads and less text, while catalogues with more text may benefit from matte paper. Matte paper still provides beautiful colour or black-and-white photo reproduction, while making the text easier to read, even in bright light. The paper you select for your catalogue affects how it looks, its durability, and both printing and shipping costs. Many catalogues use lighter, uncoated paper for black-and-white interiors and thicker coated paper for colour interiors.
At QinPrinting, we recommend 80 gsm, 105 gsm, 128 gsm, and 157 gsm coated paper, or 80 gsm, 100 gsm uncoated paper for catalogue interiors. These paper types give a lovely crisp, vibrant finish to your product photographs and ensure the text is easy to read. The choice of paper for your catalogue’s interior also depends on the size and thickness. As a general rule, we recommend thinner paper for the interior, especially if you have hundreds, or even over a thousand, pages.
If your catalogue is A4 size (210 mm x 297 mm), we recommend thicker paper for the interior, such as 128 gsm, 157 gsm coated paper, or 100 gsm uncoated paper. If the catalogue has 32 pages or fewer and you prefer perfect binding, we recommend 200 gsm coated paper to achieve the required 3 mm spine width.
You can download a catalogue cover template to check the catalogue spine thickness based on different paper types and page counts here.
The paper you choose for the cover of your catalogue depends on the binding style you select. We typically use heavier, gloss cover paper for catalogue covers. Sewn perfect binding is a popular option for high-end catalogues as it looks professional, protects the interior pages well, and allows the pages to open and lay flat, making browsing easier. However, you can choose from many styles, including perfect bound, saddle stitch, wire-o, and even hardcover binding.
Whichever binding style you choose, you’ll need at least two paper specifications for your catalogue: one for the interior pages and one for the cover.
Paper Options for Catalogues
Sewn perfect binding—a style that allows the catalogue to lay flat with the pages open without breaking the spine—is a popular choice for high-quality catalogue printing. This binding style requires the spine to be at least 3 mm thick. Catalogues with fewer pages might be perfect bound using glue alone or wire-o bound. Hardcover binding is another option, particularly for an exclusive, high-end look and feel, ideal for luxury goods and when the stock specifications don’t change seasonally or annually. We recommend a paper weight of 157 gsm gloss text paper for the interior pages in most cases. It’s beautiful to see and touch, faithfully reproduces your product photography, and holds up well to repeated browsing without damage.
Cover Paper
- 200 gsm gloss cover paper
- 250 gsm gloss cover paper
- 300 gsm gloss cover paper
- 350 gsm gloss cover paper
- 200 gsm matte cover paper
- 250 gsm matte cover paper
- 300 gsm matte cover paper
Interior Paper
- 80 gsm coated text paper
- 105 gsm coated text paper
- 128 gsm coated text paper
- 157 gsm coated text paper
- 200 gsm coated text paper
- 80 gsm uncoated text paper
- 100 gsm uncoated text paper
- 120 gsm uncoated text paper
Hardcover Paper
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2 mm grey board
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2.5 mm grey board
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 3 mm grey board
- Other paper wrapped on grey board
Special Finish Options
Here are some popular surface finishes that can enhance both the appearance and durability of your catalogue.
Shiny and reflective, perfect for vibrant graphics and photos.
Glossy highlights on specific areas for a striking contrast.
Smooth and non-reflective for a simple yet professional design.
Similar to matte lamination, but the resulting surface has a delightful, almost velvet feel.
A glossy finish applied to specific areas for a bold and distinct look.
Metallic or pigmented foil for a shiny, eye-catching effect.
Raised designs for added texture and elegance.
A recessed design that creates a tactile impression on the cover, adding texture and sophistication.
Cut a shape out of the paper material
Thin metallic foil—usually gold, silver, or bronze—is applied to the trimmed edges of your book's pages.
Custom patterns and images are sprayed on the edges for a truly unique appearance.
Print your design on a special paper that reflects light in a rainbow-like pattern.
Wrap your book in a durable synthetic leather material.
Cover your book with woven linen or cotton fabric.
Bindings for Catalogues
While catalogues come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the choice of binding is crucial for both appearance and durability. Let’s explore the most common, professional-looking catalogue binding options. Several of the following bindings allow you to open the catalogue flat.
Perfect Binding
We use this binding style for many catalogues. The interior pages are collated into a block, glued together, and then glued into a wrap-around cover made from heavier art paper or lightweight card stock. For catalogues with a page count ranging from 48 to 200 pages, this is a great option.
Sewn Perfect Bound
For most of the catalogues we print, we use sewn perfect binding. The interior pages are collated into sets called “signatures,” which are sewn together and fixed into a wrap-around cover made of heavier art paper or lightweight card stock. For catalogues with a higher page count, this is one of the best binding options.
Saddle Stitch Binding
For saddle stitching, we fold the printed interior sheets and stack them inside the cover sheet before stapling them together along the curved edge. Saddle stitch binding is only suitable for page counts divisible by four, with a maximum of 64 pages. However, to ensure the catalogue lies flat and looks neat, we recommend limiting the page count to 48 pages or fewer for this style.
Wire-O & Spiral Binding
Wire-O binding is another great option for catalogues, especially useful for sales representatives because of its portability, practicality, and flexibility. We punch or drill holes along one side of the pages and then bind them with a double metallic coil that runs through the holes. The coil is crimped at both ends to keep the pages securely in place. With Wire-O binding, you can turn the pages 360° and lay the catalogue open completely flat. We can laminate the pages to make them more resistant to UV light, fingerprints, and spills.
Loop Stitch Binding
Another great choice for sales reps is loop stitch binding. This is similar to saddle stitch binding but includes two or three loops outside the spine, allowing the catalogue to be hung up or easily inserted into a ring binder.
Hardcover Binding
In hardcover binding, the interior pages are organised into signatures, printed, cut, and sewn together before being glued into a hard casing covered by a printed sheet that forms the cover. This binding is the most durable and luxurious, but we only produce hardcover catalogues for our most exclusive clients.
If you wish, we can drill holes through the bound catalogue—usually two, three, or five—so it can be hung in a binder. Whichever binding style you choose for your catalogue, we aim to make the design process easier with our ready-made design templates, if you wish to use them. And feel free to ask for paper samples—we’ll happily send them to you in the mail. The samples are free, so you only need to pay for the postage.
Catalogue Design and Artwork Tips
The quality of photographic reproduction is always crucial in a catalogue, as you need to showcase your products in the best possible light. Whether your catalogue features just a few photographs to illustrate a core range or several detailed images for each product, you want both your images and text to be visually impactful and easy to read. With that in mind, here are a few useful tips to assist you when preparing your files for printing.
Export your files as vectors in PDF format for the best results. Our recommended software options are Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator. These also allow you to convert your colour space from RGB to CMYK, which is necessary for offset printing.
If you can't provide vectors — for example, exporting bitmaps from Photoshop — ensure the resolution is at least 300 dpi. With vectors, resolution isn't a concern, but all other images must be high definition to tolerate resizing without becoming fuzzy or pixelated.
Add a bleed zone of 3 mm around all pages. A bleed is an extended area beyond the final page size. After printing, we will trim the pages to the exact dimensions, removing the bleed to ensure your final image fills the page completely.
Within your bleed zone, mark the trim lines in green to define the finished page dimensions. Ensure any essential elements stop at least 10 mm inside the trim line.
If you’re working with a professional designer to create your files, they should know exactly what’s needed to make everything “print ready.” However, if you’re using design software yourself for the first time, here are the key tips to keep in mind before submitting your files. Rest assured, our team of experts will always manually check all your files before we go to press. If we find any issues, we’ll let you know and assist you in resolving them. We won’t proceed with printing your catalogue until we’re confident of achieving a perfect result.
Need Help Preparing Your Files? We Offer a Free File Checking Service
Can’t find what you want? Contact us!
Custom Catalogue Printing Costs
At QinPrinting, we work closely with each client to produce fantastic catalogues that do justice to the very best of your brand, regardless of your industry, sector, or niche. We understand that every business needs to work within a budget. That’s why we continuously assess our work protocols and supply chains to ensure we’re delivering exceptional quality catalogues at the most competitive prices you’ll find globally.
So, how much does it cost to print a catalogue with us? The exact cost will depend on several factors: size, quantity, paper choices and finishes, binding style, page numbers, and more. However, you can quickly estimate the cost of printing your product catalogue using our easy-to-read pricing charts. Unlike most offset printing services—which typically require a minimum print order of 500 or even 1,000 catalogues—we offer a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of just 100 copies (known as a “short run”) and still offer a competitive price advantage over digital printing. But as you’ll see from the charts, the more catalogues you order, the lower the cost per unit.
How much does it cost to print a saddle stitch catalogue?
Saddle Stitch Catalogue Printing Price Chart (210mm x 297mm)
| Quantity | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1000 copies | 2000 copies | 5000 copies | 10000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24pp + 4pp | Unit: A$4.69 Total: A$469 |
Unit: A$1.3 Total: A$649 |
Unit: A$0.83 Total: A$833 |
Unit: A$0.61 Total: A$1228 |
Unit: A$0.51 Total: A$2545 |
Unit: A$0.46 Total: A$4589 |
| 32pp + 4pp | Unit: A$5.02 Total: A$502 |
Unit: A$1.43 Total: A$713 |
Unit: A$0.91 Total: A$913 |
Unit: A$0.69 Total: A$1381 |
Unit: A$0.59 Total: A$2925 |
Unit: A$0.54 Total: A$5388 |
| 40pp + 4pp | Unit: A$5.96 Total: A$596 |
Unit: A$1.71 Total: A$853 |
Unit: A$1.11 Total: A$1110 |
Unit: A$0.83 Total: A$1661 |
Unit: A$0.70 Total: A$3511 |
Unit: A$0.64 Total: A$6386 |
- Please note that all prices are EXW from our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 200 gsm coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 128 gsm coated text paper
- Cover and inner: Full colour printing
How much does it cost to print a paperback catalogue?
Paperback Catalogue Printing Price Chart (210mm x 297mm)
| Quantity | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1000 copies | 2000 copies | 5000 copies | 10000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64pp + 4pp | Unit: A$8.64 Total: A$864 |
Unit: A$2.48 Total: A$1241 |
Unit: A$1.61 Total: A$1607 |
Unit: A$1.23 Total: A$2454 |
Unit: A$1.04 Total: A$5190 |
Unit: A$0.97 Total: A$9721 |
| 96pp + 4pp | Unit: A$11.97 Total: A$1197 |
Unit: A$3.49 Total: A$1746 |
Unit: A$2.27 Total: A$2272 |
Unit: A$1.74 Total: A$3476 |
Unit: A$1.47 Total: A$7371 |
Unit: A$1.38 Total: A$13819 |
| 200pp + 4pp | Unit: A$22.96 Total: A$2296 |
Unit: A$6.81 Total: A$3406 |
Unit: A$4.46 Total: A$4464 |
Unit: A$3.43 Total: A$6862 |
Unit: A$2.89 Total: A$14466 |
Unit: A$2.72 Total: A$27212 |
- Please note that all prices are EXW from our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 250 gsm coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 128 gsm coated text paper
- Cover and inner: Full colour printing
Let's Talk!
If you’re responsible for your company’s catalogue design and printing—and you’d like to produce a catalogue of exceptional quality at a fantastic price—we should talk. Get in touch today—either by phone, email, Skype, or our simple contact form—to discuss your needs or request a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you create a catalogue that works hard to build your brand, attract new customers, and deliver an excellent return on investment.
