Creating brochures and catalogs in 2025: tips for printed materials

The most forward-thinking brands are those that have been able to retain print media even within now predominantly digital marketing strategies. Create brochures and catalogs in 2025 Indeed, it does not mean remaining anchored in the past but, on the contrary, working in an integrated communication context in which these physical media take on a complementary and, in some cases, decisive role in building corporate identity and generating business value.

A well-designed brochure can become the evolved version of the business card of a company, as it encapsulates vision, offerings and tone in a few curated elements. A catalog, on the other hand, organizes and enhances the entire landscape of products or services, becoming an operational tool to help sales or for large-scale distribution. The strength of print lies precisely in its physicality: the customer leafs through it, keeps it and consults it; it is often that concrete gesture that imprints brand identity and curiosity about the product in the memory.

In Red Apple International, after more than 30 years of working in the world of communication, we deeply understand the potential of printed materials and carefully integrate it into both visual design and our strategies, designed to hold together storytelling, design and production. Working with a specialized partner means not only having a beautiful printed product, but having content that conveys consistency, vision, and reliability.

Brochures and catalogs: two tools, one corporate mission

To create brochures and catalogs effective we need to start with definitions. The fliers is a folding medium usually consisting of a single A4 sheet of paper (but there are also different sizes), folded into two or three leaves and designed for streamlined and direct communication. Its purpose is to summarize key information, present a product, service, or event, and it is specifically designed to capture attention in seconds. Its strengths lie in its portability, speed of reference, and ease of distribution both at trade shows and in showrooms or retail outlets.

The catalog instead is a more structured document that includes detailed range descriptions, product sheets, photographs, order codes, and technical specifications. It is not just a tool devoted to promoting products or services, but organizes and structures the offering, becoming a business guide, an operations manual, and sometimes a true collector's item.

For clarity, it is useful to distinguish:

• Product catalog: sales-oriented, and therefore lists products, specifications, codes and prices. It is an operational tool designed for those who buy or distribute.
• Corporate catalog: Has a more institutional function. It tells the vision, history, values and competencies of the company with a more narrative and emotional slant.

Both formats have a considerable impact on customers' perception of the brand and should be chosen according to the specific communication objective.

And the brochure? Often confused with the brochure, the brochure is a bound medium consisting of several pages, and is somewhere between a brochure and a catalog. Although different in format and function, these materials share a mission: broadcast brand identity In a coherent, accessible, and memorable way. Thus, designing them professionally means contributing to the solidity of corporate image.

Creating brochures and catalogs: benefits and distribution

While the importance of graphic design is undeniable, creating brochures and catalogs means above all equipping the company with tools that concretely support not only the business process, but also the relational process. These materials, when created within a integrated marketing and communication strategy, greatly increase the customer's time and level of attention, facilitating the audience's understanding of the offer and strengthening the perceived credibility of the brand. 

Precisely because of this nature of theirs, are most useful in B2B contexts such as retail, because they can convey authority even without the presence of a physical salesperson.

The best distribution channels for print communication

The distribution channels are. An integral part of project effectiveness. Some of the ideal places for dissemination of catalogs and brochures include:

• Trade shows: environments with a high concentration of potential customers and competitors. Here, printed material is an excellent tool for capturing immediate interest, leaving a tangible memory, and providing detailed information that facilitates business follow-up. Product quality also becomes a signal of professionalism and attention to detail;
• Corporate events and press presentations: on these occasions, brochures and catalogs provide a concrete support that accompanies the oral presentations, allowing participants to take the content with them and elaborate on it later. Curated material increases the emotional impact and reinforces the company's positioning in the industry;
• Congresses and conventions: places where stakeholders, customers, partners and decision makers meet. Targeted distribution in these settings provides a comprehensive picture of the company's offerings, facilitating the creation of new business opportunities and strengthening the professional network;
• Physical outlets: in stores and showrooms, brochures offer customers an immediate tool for discovering products and services even in the absence of dedicated staff. Instead, the catalog becomes a useful guide to guide choice, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty;
• Business meetings and meetings with prospects: in one-to-one situations, the paper medium helps the salesperson illustrate the strengths of the offer with hard data, pictures and data sheets. It allows the potential customer to reflect calmly after the meeting, consolidating the positive impression received.

Create printed or digital brochures and catalogs

In 2025, many companies are rightly wondering whether it is still worthwhile to focus on print or whether it would be better to veer entirely to digital. The correct answer, as is often the case, depends on the objectives, target audience and context of use.

Create digital brochures and catalogs offers undeniable advantages such as immediate updating, rapid sharing and even, if desired, integration with tracking and analysis systems. Digitizing brochures and catalogs is a smart choice for companies with very dynamic catalogs or for those who work primarily in online environments. However, often, without the "romance" associated with paper contact, they lose effectiveness after a short time, with the risk of being just ignored altogether.

I paper materials, on the other hand, have a strong sensory impact: they are touched, leafed through, stored and convey attention to detail and seriousness, making communication more authoritative. In particular, In industries where human contact is still central (B2B sales, business appointments, trade shows) paper continues to offer a competitive advantage.

As always, the most effective solution is found in a hybrid strategy, designingcontent that works on both print and screen, with specific adaptations for each channel. The Brand Specialists at Red Apple work in precisely this direction, integrating editorial and digital design into a coherent path.

Visual design: building a credible identity through paper

As we have pointed out, the strength of a brochure or catalog also (and especially) depends on the quality of the graphic design. Design is not just aesthetics but represents, in modern marketing, a form of thinking that organizes information, guides the eye, promotes understanding and enhances content.

In Red Apple's work, graphic design always starts from a basic assumption, viz. Accurately reflect the brand identity of the company. This means that each element, From layout to color choice, typography to images, must speak the same language as the brand: cutting-edge graphic design will not bring the desired results if the finished product does not reflect the company's history, values and mindset.

Even the visual hierarchy, as well as for other media such as newsletter e POP materials, is crucial: Clear headlines, well separated information blocks, intelligent use of white, and high quality images make the product appealing but also functional. In contrast, a chaotic catalog, however polished, loses its potential and will not be incisive in supporting the sales and public relations department. A brochure or catalog that does not accompany the user through the visual experience is destined to be ignored: care in design, on the other hand, increases the confidence of even those who see it for the first time and reinforces the perception of a solid and reliable brand.

Effective content: when copy guides the reader to action

In addition to the consideration due to the  graphics, creating brochures and catalogs also means knowing how to methodical writing. In limited spaces, every word, every title, and every caption must have a precise and motivated role. The copywriting for paper, for example, has its own rules different from SEO writing: must be direct but not hasty, technical but not dry, evocative but always adhering to the reality of the product or service.

Writing is the actual means by which the promise the brand makes succeeds in meeting the specific needs of the reader. Red Apple works on text design with the same rigor reserved for design: we start with an analysis of the target audience and communication goals, and then build, thanks in part to the creativity and constant study of our professionals, a tone of voice consistent with the brand personality.

In the brochures, the key word is. summary: one must be able to say a lot in a small space. In catalogs, on the other hand, a broader narrative is developed in which even the micro-texts have to be carefully curated. In either case, a well-written message should lead the reader to make a gesture: make a phone call, write, look up a code, go deeper, and that is exactly how the effectiveness of a piece of content is measured.

Materials, sustainability and innovation: the new paper quality

The choice of materials for printed communication, such as paper weight, finish, and tactile texture, is something to be studied very carefully. The beauty of brochures and catalogs lies, even today, in the tactile sensations they convey as well as in the clarity and aesthetic simplicity of the information they contain: every detail, therefore, contributes to the improvement of brand perception. In 2025, however, in addition to the Practicality and the aesthetics of materials, it is also essential to consider the environmental sustainability Of the medium.

Therefore, Red Apple International works on solutions that combine aesthetics, functionality and environmental responsibility such as recycled papers, FSC-certified media and vegetable-based inks. But let's not forget that sustainability also means durability: a well-designed brochure or catalog will last longer, be consulted more times, and have a greater impact over time.

Alongside the choice of materials, innovation and creativity assume a crucial role: tactile papers, special printing effects (such as UV varnishing, embossing, soft touch lamination) and special processing make it possible to create an object that not only communicates, but also sticks in the mind by standing out from all competitors' brochures and catalogs.

Printing and distribution: the details that make the difference

Staying in a "technical" context, a successful paper project cannot do without high-quality printing. Red Apple selects reliable partners, state-of-the-art offset and digital printing technologies, and ensures quality controls at every stage of production. Packaging and logistics, in fact, are also part of the strategy: a catalog must arrive intact and presentable, a brochure must be distributed at the right time and place for it to bring values to the company that produced it.

It is evident at this point how the final value of a paper communication Of this kind is the result of a precisely curated supply chain: from design to content, from printing to delivery, creating brochures and catalogs is a job that cannot be improvised, but must be entrusted to professionals with varied skills who can truly enhance the beauty of physical media.

Best practices for creating effective brochures and catalogs

A well-done brochure or well-structured catalog does not come about by accident. Perceived quality depends on a coordinated set of factors such as design, content, materials, and shared goals. However, there are some cross-cutting guidelines that help build truly effective tools capable of exceeding customer expectations and delivering long-term value.

• Precisely define the target audience: knowing who you are addressing is critical to calibrating tone, language, and complexity of information. A technical catalog for international buyers will have different logic than an informational brochure intended for a retail audience;
• Establish a clear goal: each material must serve a specific purpose (push sales, illustrate identity, support sales network). Without a purpose, even the best design risks being ineffective;
• Curating concept and visual storytelling: from the cover to the back, everything must contribute to telling the vision of the brand. Images should be relevant, texts harmonized with the graphic style, content organized clearly and progressively;
• Choose materials consistent with positioning: fine or recycled papers, glossy or soft-touch finishes, all must be in line with the corporate identity and the message to be communicated;
• Verify readability and structure: A good product is first and foremost easy to read. Titles, paragraphs, spacing and contrasts should be tested to ensure a smooth reading experience;
• Do testing before final printing: mockups, pre-printing, and testing with real users can avoid errors and reinforce perceived quality.

Rely on Red Apple for a professional result

Creating brochures and catalogs is in effect a strategic investment in corporate communication and marketing. The importance of these tools remains unchanged even in advertising contexts dominated by web design, backlinks e social media.

Red Apple, as communication agency, accompanies enterprises through all stages of design: from goal setting to material selection, from graphic design to production, offering integrated solutions that bring together creativity, consistency and expertise.

Relying on professionals means ensuring that your brand has a solid, elegant and lasting image. Whether it's Launching a new product, updating their offerings or participating in a trade show, Red Apple is the ideal partner for creating brochures and catalogs that make an impression.