It used to be a pain to make a professional PDF catalog for your products.
Not anymore.
With Catalogly, you can build sharp, professional product catalogs straight from your Shopify store data. The key benefit is that your catalogs stay updated with your inventory. This is ideal for sharing with wholesale buyers, using at trade shows, or sending as email attachments.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide on exactly how to create your PDF catalog.
Step 1: Install the App from Shopify
First, find and install the Catalogly app. Go to the Shopify App Store and click "Install App."
After installation, the system will take you directly to the Catalogly dashboard. You are ready to start building your first catalog right away.
Step 2: Start a New Catalog Project
From the dashboard, click the "New Catalog" button.
A form will appear asking for a few key details. Give your catalog a name, like "Spring 2025 Collection," and pick the page orientation you prefer. You can change these basic settings later if needed.
Click "Create Catalog" to open the main builder page.
Step 3: Pick Your Layout and Product Source
In the builder, click "Add New Page" to begin setting up your catalog's content. You will see two important choices:
- Page Template: Choose from over 35 layout options, including grids (4 or 6 products per page) and specialized templates for showcasing single items.
- Product Source: The quickest way to fill the catalog is to use Collection mode. Just select one of your existing Shopify collections (e.g., "Footwear"). The catalog automatically pulls in all products from that collection.
Click "Continue," and your catalog page will be created with those products.
Step 4: Add the Details Buyers Need
Your initial preview will show the basics (image, title, price). To make the catalog truly useful, you need to add more product information.
Catalogly lets you easily turn on fields like:
- SKU numbers (for easy ordering)
- Product descriptions (to highlight features)
- Variant tables (showing sizes, colors, and options)
- Multiple price types (wholesale, retail, etc.)
- Inventory status and Barcodes
Decide which details—like the SKU and available sizes—are most important for your buyers and toggle them on.
Step 5: Apply a Clean, Professional Style
The layout template sets the structure, but now you can polish the look. Use the Styles section to adjust fonts, colors, and spacing to match your brand.
You don't need design software. You can simply select a description template or use the sliders to make your catalog look clean and professional.
Step 6: Generate and Download the PDF
When you are satisfied with your layout, save your work. Go back to your catalog list and click the "PDF" button next to your entry.
The app will take a couple of minutes to process the file. Once finished, you can download a high-quality PDF, ready for printing or digital sharing.
Congratulations!
You've just created a professional PDF catalog for your Shopify store. The entire process took just a few minutes, and you can always keep it updated by refreshing your products and regenerating the PDF whenever needed.
Quick Tips for Better Catalogs
- Keep it Current: If you use Collection mode, just click the Refresh feature to instantly update pricing, inventory, or new products, then regenerate the PDF.
- Use Flipbooks: Generate the interactive online flipbook version alongside the PDF. Buyers can browse it on any device without downloading a large file.
- Segment Your Buyers: Create separate catalogs for different audiences—one for wholesale pricing and one for retail customers.
Final Thoughts
Creating PDF catalogs for your Shopify store doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. With Catalogly, you can generate professional product catalogs in minutes, not hours. Your catalogs stay synced with your Shopify inventory, ensuring buyers always see accurate pricing and availability.
Whether you're sharing catalogs with wholesale buyers, bringing them to trade shows, or sending them via email, you now have a fast, efficient way to showcase your products professionally.
Ready to create your first PDF catalog? Install Catalogly from the Shopify App Store and start building beautiful catalogs today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create a PDF catalog for Shopify?
With Catalogly, you can create a professional PDF catalog in 5-10 minutes. The actual PDF generation takes less than a minute once you've selected your products and layout.
Can I customize the layout of my Shopify product catalog?
Yes, Catalogly offers over 35 page templates to choose from. You can also customize fonts, colors, and which product details to display (SKU, descriptions, metafields, variants, etc.).
Will my PDF catalog update when I change prices in Shopify?
You can keep your catalog updated anytime by using the Refresh feature to sync the latest prices, inventory, and product information from your Shopify store, then regenerate the PDF. If you use Collection mode, new products added to that collection will appear after refreshing and regenerating.
What formats can I export my Shopify catalog to?
Catalogly exports high-quality PDF files suitable for printing and digital distribution. You can also generate interactive online flipbook versions that work on any device.
Can I create separate catalogs for different product categories?
Absolutely. You can create as many catalogs as you need—one for each collection, buyer segment, season, or purpose. This is perfect for organizing wholesale catalogs, seasonal lookbooks, or category-specific brochures.