Italian quality print design
In the digital age we live in, many companies have opted for creating digital catalogs to showcase their products and services. However, a paper catalog has great value for many reasons.
Firstly, a printed catalog can be considered a more reliable and durable option compared to digital catalogs. While an online catalog can be deleted or even hacked, a paper catalog remains intact and easily accessible for many years, even without the need for an internet connection. Additionally, paper catalogs are much more resistant to physical damage, such as a broken digital storage device or malfunctioning software.
Secondly, a printed catalog, unlike its digital counterpart, offers a tactile and emotional experience. While most digital catalogs only present images and product descriptions, a paper catalog can be touched and flipped through, offering a sense of greater engagement and interactivity. Moreover, a well-designed catalog can have a much stronger aesthetic and visual impact compared to a digital catalog, thanks to the quality of the printing and the ability to use high-quality materials for the cover and internal pages.
But most importantly, a paper catalog can be used very effectively as a marketing tool. For example, it can be distributed at events, trade shows or fairs to better showcase the company and its core business, or to attract the attention of potential customers. Additionally, a printed catalog can be sent to existing customers as a form of direct advertising, offering them the opportunity to discover new products and services offered by the company. Finally, a paper catalog can be used as a sales support, with company staff using it to illustrate products to customers in a more detailed and convincing manner.
The case of Nettuno Marine Equipment
NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl is an Italian company that produces accessories and components for the nautical and maritime sector. The services offered include the design of boat covers and canopies, as well as the production of upholstery and hoods for boats and inflatables. Based in Montelabbate di Pesaro, the company operates directly in the ports of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts and, through the web, in Northern Europe. As Italian model craftsmanship, NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl combines traditional manufacturing techniques with digital technologies both in terms of production processes and marketing processes.
«Italian Quality Boat Covers» is the company’s Pay Off and Core Business.
The graphic design of a company catalogue is a fundamental element for the promotion and diffusion of a company’s products and services. It represents an effective marketing tool for reaching a wide audience interested in the company’s proposals.
In this sense, the Corporate Identity of NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl plays a central role in the catalogue design, as it represents the Visual Image of the company itself, that is, the set of distinctive signs that identify the company in the nautical market and differentiate it from its competitors.
The graphic design of the catalogue must therefore respect the graphic elements and guidelines of the Corporate Identity, such as the logo, colours and typography, in order to create a coherent and recognizable visual communication.
For NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl, the graphic design project of each catalogue – published annually in January – is always developed into the context of the Corporate Identity, working consistently on multiple fronts.
In particular, the graphic design of the NETTUNO Marine Equipment catalogue must also take into account the target audience, i.e. the audience to whom the catalogue is intended. It is not only important to use a visual language and tone of voice appropriate to the target audience, in order to make the catalogue readable and understandable for the target audience, but in this case it is also necessary to take into account the linguistic, cultural and economic differentiation of the target audience: being distributed throughout Europe – not just in Italy – all texts are translated into 5 different languages: Italian, English, Spanish, German and French.
The structure of the catalogue must be able to enhance the company’s products and services to the fullest, organizing them in a clear and rational way. We have used various layout strategies, such as division into thematic sections and the creation of focus on particular products or technical information of particular relevance.
For these reasons, the graphic design project – coordinated by engineer Raffaele Garofalo – is developed every year between September and December (the latter month dedicated just to printing), bringing together the activities of different collaborators from different professional areas: graphic design and post-production, technical writing and multi-language translation, management information systems, mechanical engineering and industrial design.
Repetita iuvant: the graphic design of a company catalog represents an important opportunity to enhance the company’s image and promote its products and services. Therefore, coherence with the Corporate Identity is essential to create a coordinated and recognizable image, while the structure of the catalog should showcase the company’s products and services to the best advantage.
In particular, the logo represents the distinctive element of the company and is prominently placed on the cover of the catalog (also using UV soft-touch relief printing), so that it is immediately recognizable even to the touch. In addition, the colors and typography used in the catalog design are always consistent with those present in the company’s Corporate Identity, in order to create a coordinated and uniform image.
NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl catalogs are printed but interactive: the numerous QR codes present on each page allow users to access a range of online services with their own device, such as viewing the product sheet, following assembly video instructions, chatting with customer service or ordering and paying for the chosen item via PayPal.
Corporate image evolution
The graphic design and printing of the NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl General Catalog have undergone significant development over the years from 2019 to the present day.
Starting from 2019, the design process was focused on creating a clean and minimalistic layout, which aimed to enhance the company’s products’ technical features. The catalog was divided into sections based on product categories and contained high-quality images accompanied by detailed technical specifications. The cover design featured the company’s logo and an iconic visually bimini-top image of a red awning.
In 2020 and 2021, the catalog’s design was further refined, with a greater emphasis on creating an interactive and engaging experience for the reader. The catalog contained QR codes that linked to online product information, video instructions, and customer service. The cover design was improved by using a soft-touch UV finish and an embossed logo, enhancing the catalog’s tactile experience.
In 2022, the focus shifted towards creating a more cohesive and consistent look across all company marketing materials, aligning with the Corporate Identity. The catalog design featured a clean and modern layout, utilizing the company’s signature blue and azure colors.
In 2023, the cover design was further aesthetically improved, and the printing process underwent significant changes, with a shift towards higher quality paper stock, improved binding techniques, and better finishing options, such as spot UV coating and embossing.
Overall, the graphic design and printing of the NETTUNO Marine Equipment srl General Catalog have evolved over the years, reflecting the company’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience and maintaining a strong brand image.
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