Catalogs?

hardingknives

hardingknives

Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
588
Just being asked for a catalog of my knives, it hit me that there are internet challenged folks out there that my website doesn't reach. Who puts out catalogs and who do you use to print or what self method? I thought of just putting a few pics and price ranges together, but looking for a more professional look.

Chad Harding
 
20 years in the printing industry gave me some insights into this sort of thing. I've run pretty much every kind of job from 100 business cards to millions of mailing labels. The short answer is, catalogs just aren't not worth it for independent makers like us.

I see quite a few tri-fold flyers on makers' tables at shows. That gives enough room for a few nice pics, some good info on the materials/techniques you use, and why. You may already know someone with a decent color copier in their office. Unless you have a really nice printer, I wouldn't recommend doing it at home. Any local copyshop (Kinko's, Sir Speedy etc.) can run off color copies and fold them up for you for a dollar or two apiece if you have the graphics ready to go. There are free templates all over the web that you can use to lay it out.

I really don't see the point of actually printing up a multi-page catalog unless you have a serious budget and sell a LOT of knives. Once you get into actual printing and bindery work, never mind sending them out, it adds up fa$t.

If you have some money to throw around, target it by placing an ad in an appropriate magazine. You will reach far more potential customers than you will with any sort of direct mailing or leaving flyers/catalogs out at shows and local businesses.
 
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james terrio said:
I may have missed it, but I'm not seeing anything on either the American Bladesmiths Society or Knifemaker's Guild websites about requiring printed material to become a member. I'm not currently a member, so don't take my word for it ;)
Click to expand...

12345678910 said:
It used to be a requirement of ABS members, not sure of the rules now though
Click to expand...

Used to be

The ABS has been around 40ish years.

Printed work has been eclipsed by websites for cost, updatability, and ability to show a larger volume of colour photos..


The interesting thing is there are bound to be collections of old ABS catalogues and flyers that you won't see in the future.

I believe the black and white one page tri fold was the standard "catalogue" that's why you still see it now.
 
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A tri-fold works pretty well for something on the table at a show. Bill Moran used to use one as his main catalog.

Today, with the inventory changing all the time and home photography, the best catalog is one on CD. You can print an updated catalog at any time for a few cents. Items can be marked sold, or prices changes easily. I used to mail these out to those who requested a catalog, but haven't done one in many years. The software to make the CD have a custom label, and the Jewel case insert are free.
 
12345678910 said:
Used to be

The ABS has been around 40ish years.

Printed work has been eclipsed by websites for cost, updatability, and ability to show a larger volume of colour photos...
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of all that. My point is, I'm not even seeing anything from either group requiring even a website or business card, much less a catalog. I'm reasonably certain the KMG used to have a provision stating that a website or gallery page could take the place of printed flyers/catalogs. Although as I said, I may have missed something, or my memory might be foggy.
 
12345678910 said:
Used to be

The ABS has been around 40ish years.

Printed work has been eclipsed by websites for cost, updatability, and ability to show a larger volume of colour photos..


The interesting thing is there are bound to be collections of old ABS catalogues and flyers that you won't see in the future.

I believe the black and white one page tri fold was the standard "catalogue" that's why you still see it now.
Click to expand...

Don't think the ABS is quite that old and it was the Guild that used to require a brochure of some type. ;)
 
Well when you get to Dons status you don't need catalogs, customers are just so darned happy get one of his knives they don't care what style it is. Up and coming folks like me need to fill any void possible.(I myself would be tickled to own a Hanson blade)
 
Thanks Chad! I still get asked and like you found out not everybody in on the internet. I'll usually just print off a handful of photos and send somebody if need be.
 
I like James' advice... I have been meaning to do up a simple tri-fold type like James mentioned.

Almost every time I have had a photo published in one of the magazines, I have later received phone calls and a couple letters asking for a brochure. Those gentlemen don't have email accounts... which should NOT be mistaken for someone who hasn't had the financial success to purchase custom knives... they're just old school. :)

Having a nice, but relatively inexpensive little flyer to send those fellas would be really nice.
 
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