FAQs

We answer some frequently-asked questions about catalogue design

1. Why should I use a specialist catalogue designer rather than a standard graphic designer or marketing agency?

2. I’ve seen apparently cheaper agencies. Aren’t you a little more expensive compared to other design agencies?

3. Why should I choose TA Design?

4. Who have you worked with?

5. Haven’t catalogues had their day? Can’t I just rely on online sales?

6. What do your clients say about you?

7. Deciding to buy any service is a big decision. How can you help me to have confidence in your abilities?

8. We design in-house, so what can you offer us?

9. How do I know you won’t simply give me a catalogue that looks the same as my competitors?

10. Can you give me a taster of what you can offer?


 

 

1. Why should I use a specialist catalogue designer rather than a standard graphic designer or marketing agency?


You certainly can use a standard agency. However what you won’t get is the ‘science’ behind the design, plus extensive ‘hands on’ experience of producing catalogues that really work for your business.

Catalogue specialists apply design, marketing and copy techniques that are tried and tested to maximise your sales, promote your brand and develop a loyal customer base. They should also have a detailed knowledge of specialised medium, and its trends and opportunities.

Producing a catalogue is a significant investment for your company and it is not without risk, especially if it is your first. You need to get a return on your investment, get it right first time and be sure your catalogue is working as hard as possible for you.

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2. I’ve seen apparently cheaper agencies. Aren’t you a little more expensive compared to other design agencies?


You would be surprised. We represent excellent value for money – because your catalogue will look better, be an effective ambassador for your brand, and be a powerful sales generator – whether via phone or your website.

As well as expert design from catalogue specialists, our page rate includes unlimited access to advice and support throughout your project and project management if required. We also offer brand positioning copy, product copy and art direction as an integral part of our service, and work with a bank of highly proficient and trusted photographers.

In addition, as one of our clients, you can benefit from regular catalogue performance reviews each year and a free catalogue makeover – all within our page rate.

As an independent, privately owned company we are in charge of our own destiny and can work with any of your chosen suppliers and partners. (Some agencies are bound to printers or data agencies). In this way we often manage to save clients money without compromising quality.

And we love start ups – talk to us. We know how hard it can be to get going. If we can help you on price we will. We’re like that.

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3. Why should I choose TA Design?


If our boundless expertise, passion and enthusiasm isn’t enough, here are 8 reasons why you would love working with TA Design:

  1. 20 years experience and over 1,500 successful catalogues in retail, B2B and charity sectors.
  2. Excellent reputation in the sector for designing high performing catalogues.
  3. Value for money – our page rate includes:

    • designing a hard selling catalogue that is bespoke to your business, we do not do ‘off the shelf’ catalogues
    • ongoing advice and support
    • access to industry contacts, trends and best practice
    • project management if required
    • at least 2 review meetings a year
    • a catalogue makeover if required.

  4. A proactive approach: producing catalogues and marketing bespoke to YOUR business and no one else’s. We listen hard to get under the skin of your business and translate that into your catalogue to promote sales.
  5. Our communication: our clients work directly with the creative team responsible for their catalogue, so no middle-men to create muddle - and our Creative Director is involved in all projects.
  6. Our connections: we care about our industry and are in touch with latest developments and trends. Our Creative Director is involved at board level in the trade body supporting the Direct Commerce sector.
  7. Our associated services: we provide our clients with services that complement catalogue design and sales, including direct marketing, off-the-page and catalogue request press advertisments, art direction, branding, digital design, and consultancy.
  8. Our promise: we have never missed a deadline yet and we won’t let you miss yours!

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4. Who have you worked with?


Our client list includes some of the biggest (and smallest!) names in the business, both in the UK and abroad. From multi-nationals and household names to start-ups and family businesses. Both consumer and B2B. We offer the same quality of work, expertise and service to all. Only the best will do. Check out a selection of our clients.

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5. Haven’t catalogues had their day? Can’t I just rely on online sales?


Direct selling is a very exciting world at present. Online sales have exploded and are a fantastic opportunity, but it is a hugely competitive market place, with new websites emerging almost daily to compete for customers.

So, there is a reason that knowledgeable retail MDs have catalogues as a key part of their marketing mix, despite the online boom – they are tangible, intrusive, have a long life, and are shown to increase online browsing time and spend. In short catalogues work!

Catalogues have been shown to support and enhance other sales channels including retail outlets and online. You could choose to rely solely on an ecommerce website, but you would be missing out and many big names in retail realise that.

But don’t take our word for it. You might find the links below of interest:

Market Reach/Royal Mail: Catalogues drive online engagement
Catalogues are still one of the most penetrating marketing tools available (70% opening rate (MarketReach/Royal Mail) and can deliver a better quality of customer (loyal and engaged) than online only. 60% of people who receive catalogues go on to buy.

YouGov: Catalogues beat online shopping
YouGov report shows the value of catalogues remains strong in the retail market.

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6. What do your clients say about you?


We are never happy until our clients are happy – VERY happy. We work with them with the aim of promoting their business objectives, sales, brand awareness and customer development.

We regularly ask our clients for feedback. Here are some of the things they have said about us:

"TA Design breathed much needed new life into our brand with fresh thinking and great design work. Sales are already way up on last year."

"Average order value has increased by 3% to £143.00 per order. Number of orders in January increased by over 600 orders year on year, an increase of 18%.Increase of 130 orders from new customers in 1st month of launch. 14% increase in UK sales turnover. Catalogue requests increased by 430%. Decreased catalogue cost from £2.48 to £2.36 per book – 5% unit reduction."

"I returned from the press pass of our fantastically designed spring catalogue to find the most lovely surprise of flowers from a wonderful design agency (you don’t know them by any chance do you?) so this is just a quick note to say thank you so much for not only the flowers but as always for crafting our catalogue so beautifully and for being such fun to work with!"

"Just to let you know that February catalogue is the best performing catalogue (in terms of revenue) since January 2010 and this is after only 17 days of trading - good work guys."

You can see further testimonials here. References are available on request.

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7. Deciding to buy any service is a big decision. How can you help me to have confidence in your abilities?


We understand that you need to have complete confidence when engaging a new supplier. For many of our clients, choosing TA Design is a quick and obvious decision – a personal recommendation or a tour of our website is enough.

But also, before you make the final decision to work with us, we will have had discussions about your company and its objectives, and you will have asked us any questions you like. We will have met and presented creative proposals to you, with costings. We are also happy to provide independent referees from within the sector if required.

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8. We design in-house, so what can you offer us?


In addition to designing catalogues in their entirety for clients, we also work with inhouse teams. We offer in-house teams catalogue makeover services, we design templates, offer consultancy to challenge established design practices or simply mop up the work that an in-house team can’t accommodate during busy periods. Our extensive experience and expertise means we can come in and fix and deliver very quickly.

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9. How do I know you won’t simply give me a catalogue that looks the same as my competitors?


We ONLY produce catalogues that are bespoke to each of the businesses we work with. While there may be a few superficial similarities with a competitor who is doing things well, your catalogue has to convey the individual character of YOUR people, passion and products to succeed for you in a competitive market place.

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10. Can you give me a taster of what you can offer?


Of course. We offer free catalogue clinics and critiques with no obligation. We also provide our popular ‘Design Hit Squad’ if you would like a quick creative refresh and review of your catalogue and direct mail campaigns.

But the quickest way to see what we’re like is to give us a ring and speak to Bobbie or James. You’ll find it’s 10 minutes well spent, and you’ll put the phone down with new insights and ideas, even if you decide not to proceed any further.

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