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In an age dominated by digital media, printed catalogs have surprisingly held their ground and even gained new relevance in 2025. Major brands are returning to physical catalogs to cut through digital noise. For example, J. Crew reintroduced its iconic print catalog and Amazon launched a toy catalog to give consumers a tactile browsing experience and ultimately drive them to online purchases. Far from being relics, print catalogs are proving to be a powerful marketing tool, especially in B2B industries where buyers appreciate the detailed, lasting nature of a catalog. This article explores the current state of catalog marketing, why print catalogs often outperform digital, and tips for maximizing catalog success in 2025.

Print Catalogs Are Thriving (Yes, Even Now)

Despite the allure of online marketing, consumers and business buyers alike show a strong affinity for print catalogs. Recent research found , and 65% actually look forward to receiving catalogs from brands. After years of digital overload, many customers welcome the focused, hands-on engagement that a printed piece provides. In fact, 72% of Americans enjoy browsing catalogs, and a stunning 鈥� they share the catalog, visit a store or website or make a purchase. 

The B2B Buyer鈥檚 Perspective: Why Print Excels

B2B marketers have found print catalogs to be particularly valuable for engaging professional buyers. Unlike casual consumers scrolling through Instagram, B2B purchasers often need to review detailed specifications, compare options and consult colleagues 鈥� tasks well-suited to a printed catalog. Many B2B customers keep catalogs on their desks, work trucks or shop floors for handy reference. For instance, a mechanic or procurement officer can flip through pages, circle items, and make notes while on a call (even if internet is spotty in the garage or factory). 

Printed catalogs encourage focus: there are no pop-up notifications or multiple browser tabs to steal attention. Readers spend more time per page and often revisit the catalog multiple times. This sustained attention can lead to higher conversion when the buyer is ready to order. For B2B marketing, print catalogs hit a sweet spot: they deliver rich information in a user-friendly format and stay accessible in the workplaces where buying decisions happen.

Print and Digital: Better Together in 2025

While printed catalogs offer unique advantages, they work best when complementing your digital channels rather than ignoring them. Successful catalog marketing in 2025 is all about an integrated approach. Think of the print catalog as a springboard that launches customers into your digital ecosystem. In fact, catalogs are proven drivers of online engagement: over . These aren鈥檛 just visits 鈥� they often convert. A Harvard Business Review study showed that of receiving the catalog. Even more striking, almost half of those purchases (49%) happened online, illustrating how print can stimulate digital sales.

The key is to make the print-to-digital transition seamless. Many companies now embed QR codes, custom URLs or AR features in their catalogs, so readers can quickly jump to a web page or interactive content for more information. For example, a B2B catalog might feature a QR code next to a product that links to a 3D demo video or the latest pricing on your website. This not only enriches the customer鈥檚 experience but also provides you with tracking data. 鈥� direct mail (including catalogs) yields a median ROI of about 29%, outperforming paid digital ads (~23%). 

The Role of Digital Catalogs

Of course, digital catalogs have their place in 2025. They offer instant accessibility and low distribution cost 鈥� with a single upload, your catalog can reach a global audience. Digital catalogs are easily searchable and can include rich media like videos or animated product views. They also allow for quick updates (no need to wait for the next print run if prices change). Many B2B companies use digital catalogs as a convenient complement to print, especially to serve international or tech-savvy customers.

However, it鈥檚 important to recognize that digital-only catalogs face challenges. Emailing a PDF or linking to a web catalog is easy 鈥� but it lands in the same inbox as countless other messages, where it may be quickly overlooked or deleted. There is evidence that customers simply don鈥檛 engage as deeply with on-screen catalogs: the experience is more fleeting, and distractions are unavoidable. By contrast, a physical catalog on a buyer鈥檚 desk can鈥檛 be swiped away; it invites a thorough look. 

What鈥檚 Working: Tips for Catalog Marketing Success in 2025

To get the most out of catalog marketing today, consider these best practices used by leading brands:

• Target and Personalize: Start with a clean, segmented mailing list so your catalogs reach the right prospects. Tailor content to each audience segment 鈥� for example, feature industry-specific products or personalized cover letters. Personalization pays off, as over non-personalized mail. A B2B catalog that speaks the buyer鈥檚 language will earn a prized spot on their desk.
  
• High-Quality Design & Print: Treat your catalog as a flagship representation of your brand. Invest in professional design, rich imagery and quality printing/binding. A visually engaging, well-organized catalog not only grabs attention but also conveys credibility. The very feel of the paper and clarity of photos can influence perceptions 鈥� a sturdy, beautiful catalog signals that your products and service are high-quality as well.
  
• Integrate with Digital: Make it easy for catalog readers to act on their interest. Include QR codes for quick product lookups or ordering, short URLs or promo codes to track responses, and mention your online resources (like 鈥淪ee our full specs on the website鈥�). Ensure your website landing pages are ready to welcome catalog visitors with a consistent message. This integration bridges the gap between offline and online, leveraging the strengths of each channel.
  
• Provide Clear Calls to Action: Every catalog should drive towards an action 鈥� whether it鈥檚 鈥渃all your account rep,鈥� 鈥渧isit our online portal to order,鈥� or 鈥渟can to request a quote.鈥� Be explicit about next steps and make the purchasing process as frictionless as possible. Many successful B2B catalogs include an order form or an easy-reference index, acknowledging that some customers might prefer to order by phone or purchase order.
  
• Track and Measure: Use unique codes or landing page URLs to measure the catalog鈥檚 impact. Track metrics such as website traffic spikes following catalog drops, conversion rates from catalog recipients and average order values. This data can justify the ROI 鈥� which for catalogs can be impressive. (For instance, adding print catalogs boosted one retailer鈥檚 sales by 28% and delivered a 600% ROI, .) Knowing what鈥檚 working will help you refine your strategy for the next edition.
  
• Combine Frequency with Relevance: Plan a catalog schedule that keeps your brand in front of customers at key times (e.g. seasonal product launches or budgeting cycles for B2B). Consistency is important 鈥� noted that 17% of people who received a catalog in the past month made a purchase, versus 11% if it had been longer. However, don鈥檛 just mail for the sake of frequency; ensure each issue provides fresh value (new products, helpful content, promotions) so recipients continue to engage.
  

By following these practices, businesses can maximize the impact of their catalogs. The goal is to make your catalog indispensable to customers 鈥� a resource they consult, dog-ear and rely on throughout their buying journey.

Print Catalogs as a Competitive Advantage

As we navigate 2025, one thing is clear: print catalogs have secured their role in modern marketing. They offer an immersive, trusted and enduring way to connect with customers, standing out precisely because they are different from the constant flow of digital information. From boosting product discovery and brand recall to driving online traffic, catalogs have proven their worth. 

Even digitally native companies are learning that a catalog strategy can yield significant lifts in sales 鈥� sometimes on the order of when combined with email marketing, and larger order sizes to boot. For B2B marketers, catalogs remain a cornerstone for showcasing complex product lines and nurturing client relationships in a personal, tangible manner.

Explore Your Catalog Options With 杏吧原创

杏吧原创 is here to help make it happen. With over 88 years of experience in printing high-impact catalogs and magazines, 杏吧原创 has the expertise and technology to bring your catalog vision to life. We specialize in blending visual appeal with functional clarity 鈥� whether you need a small lookbook or a 600-page industrial catalog. Our team can guide you on everything from paper selection to mailing strategies, ensuring your print piece delivers maximum ROI.聽In 2025鈥檚 omnichannel world, print catalogs are a proven success story, and 杏吧原创 is proud to be an expert partner in your catalog marketing journey. Get in touch with us today, and let鈥檚 turn the page together toward greater engagement and sales success.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT-o3 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.