A new way to create online catalogs without a PDF

Is it time to rethink the online catalog workflow?

For many teams, the workflow for online catalogs, leaflets and brochures hasn’t changed much the last 20 years:

1. Design a static PDF
2. Export it
3. Upload it for digital use
4. Add interactivity and shop links

It works, but it’s slow, manual and built around print-first thinking.

If online catalog workflow is tied to the print workflow - and print requires time, a lot of work across departments and a large campaign push - it can limit the number of shorter, specific and targeted campaigns.

Digital-first catalog creation

With automated catalog creation, you can flip the classic online catalog workflow on its head.

Instead of designing a PDF manually and then adapting it for digital, you create a digital-first catalogs based on existing product data:

1. Connect your product feed
2. Create a digital catalog using rules and automations
3. Optional: Create a PDF for digital distribution in a few clicks

This workflow allows companies to create more catalogs, faster, and is not reliant on the print workflow.

And, if you still need a PDF, you can simply export your catalog as a PDF.

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1. Connect your product feed

Simply connect your product feed - which has all product images and information such as price, description, etc. - to an automated catalog solution.

2. Automate online catalog production

Creating a online catalog without a PDF can be fast, easy and simple:

This makes automated catalog solutions ideal for companies that want to run frequent, shorter campaigns, promotions or local- and store-specific catalogs that are not tied to print workflows.

3. Generate a PDF for digital distribution

With a digital-first workflow, digital is the starting point, but PDFs are still available.

You can generate a PDF from your digital catalog whenever needed, for:

• Partners or marketplaces that require PDFs
• Email distribution
• Downloads

The PDFs created are often designed exclusively for digital distribution. They’re optimized for online marketplaces and web platforms, and not necessarily for professional or high-quality print production.

Move from PDF-first to digital-first

Automated digital leaflet creation helps you replace - or supplement - manual, PDF-first processes with automated online catalog creation.

By building online catalogs from product feeds using templates and layouts, you can...

• Save time
• Reduce manual production
• Deliver mobile-friendly experiences

And, by doing that, you can scale your online catalog production, run more campaigns and create better results.

It's online catalog creation done the digital way.