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Catalogs are back. A variety of retailers —brands like Amazon, Ikea, and Pottery Barn — have re-embraced print catalogs as a way to differentiate themselves from competitors and create a unique, tangible experience for customers. The success these brands have seen in increasing sales and building stronger brand loyalty is inspiring companies in both the B2B and B2C spaces to bring print catalogs back into their marketing mix.
In fact, I’ve partnered with several companies in the past year to help them experience the power catalogs have in delivering a tactile, immersive, and trusted experience that digital channels struggle to replicate. Here are some reasons why catalogs work and how this year’s USPS® Catalog Insights promotion can make catalogs even more cost-effective.
Print catalogs provide a sensory experience that creates deeper emotional connections and better brand recall. Consumers tend to spend more time browsing catalogs comfortably at home or in the office, undistracted by digital noise. This results in higher engagement and stronger brand loyalty.
Catalogs also have more staying power. Their long-form nature enhances perceived value, making them more likely to be kept on desks or coffee tables rather than discarded. Plus, catalogs allow brands to pull back the curtain on the people and stories behind their products and services.
By including profiles of the people who make the products, stories about what inspired specific products, and high-quality photographs that convey an aspirational lifestyle, catalogs build emotional connections that spark interest and loyalty.
The 2026 USPS® Catalog Insights promotion offers a 10% discount on postage for catalogs that have at least 12 pages and provide an organized listing of products or services. Eligible pieces must also include images, photographs, or illustrations of the products or services. This can increase customer engagement while offering significant cost savings.
Integrating digital elements into print catalogs can do more than enhance customer engagement — they create a multichannel sales ecosystem that increases revenue and delivers a seamless consumer experience. Digital tools like QR codes and personalized URLs (PURLs) connect physical print pages to online content, extending the brand experience and elevating brand perception.
For example, pairing products in the catalog with QR codes that link directly to an online shopping cart can streamline purchases. These codes can even trigger special discounts when scanned, further encouraging customers to complete transactions.
To qualify for the Catalog Insights promotion, catalogs must include contact and ordering information. Using digital integrations in this way ensures eligibility and supports the multichannel communication customers expect.
Print catalogs enable detailed presentations of products through high-quality images and long-form editorial content. This makes them ideal for premium, luxury, lifestyle brands, mission-driven organizations, or companies with complex product lines where the story behind the product influences purchasing decisions.
For these premium brands — whether B2B or B2C — magalogs have emerged as an innovative twist on traditional catalogs, providing a broad canvas to communicate brand stories and guide consumers toward purchases in a subtle, engaging way.
Magalogs blend catalogs and magazines. While traditional catalogs feature short, concise product descriptions with static images, magalogs use editorial content and stylish photography. The goal is not just to sell products but to create an engaging, conversational consumer experience that builds connection with the target audience.
Magalogs may not suit every brand but are effective for lifestyle and wellness companies, retailers, and even B2B businesses. They qualify for the same 10% postage discount through the Catalog Insights promotion.
Though catalogs may seem old-fashioned, digital-in-print integrations and personalization capabilities make them unique and powerful for growing and nurturing customer bases. With digital print and variable data technology, catalogs can be personalized using a wide variety of customer insights, including previous purchases, browsing history, and abandoned cart data to make catalogs a more targeted communication form.
And, with USPS® Catalog Insights promotion, these kinds of personalized catalogs are cost-effective.
I’ve seen firsthand how print catalogs foster long-term relationships. With decades of experience in high-quality commercial print and direct mail, Quantum is the strategic print partner you need to unlock marketing materials that engage customers and deliver meaningful ROI.
Registration for the USPS® Catalog Insights promotion is open now. Let’s work together — tell us about your idea for a catalog and we’ll get started.