Creating a catalogue from scratch can feel overwhelming.
Manually placing images, rewriting descriptions, adapting layouts for different clients… and repeating the process every time you update a collection.
This class teaches you how to build a structured, semi-automated system using Data Merge in Adobe InDesign so you can generate professional, adaptable catalogues efficiently and strategically.
Instead of designing page by page, you’ll design a smart workflow once — and reuse it for multiple sectors, formats and collections.
What You’ll Learn
This is a complete, step-by-step system. We will cover:
1. Inspiration &amp; Industry Research
<ul>
<li>
Analyzing high-end international brand catalogues
</li>
<li>
Understanding professional layout logic
</li>
<li>
Identifying structural patterns used in luxury print materials
</li>
<li>
Extracting ideas without copying aesthetics
</li>
</ul>
2. Defining Your Catalogue Structure
<ul>
<li>
Planning the architecture of your document
</li>
<li>
Deciding which sections are essential
</li>
<li>
Organizing content strategically
</li>
<li>
Thinking like a licensing designer, not just a creative
</li>
</ul>
3. Brand Assets &amp; Style Guide
<ul>
<li>
Creating a personal style guide for your catalogue
</li>
<li>
Defining typography hierarchy
</li>
<li>
Establishing layout rules
</li>
<li>
Organizing visual assets
</li>
<li>
Preparing your working folders professionally
</li>
</ul>
4. Designing the Static Template Pages
You’ll build reusable templates for:
<ul>
<li>
Brand presentation pages
</li>
<li>
Collection introduction
</li>
<li>
Contact pages
</li>
<li>
“How to work with us” pages
</li>
<li>
Technical details pages
</li>
<li>
Additional brand philosophy sections
</li>
<li>
Back covers and final pages
</li>
</ul>
These pages form the fixed structure of your catalogue.
5. Adapting Templates to Multiple Formats
<ul>
<li>
Converting layouts into square format
</li>
<li>
Adjusting margins and grids
</li>
<li>
Maintaining visual coherence across sizes
</li>
<li>
Optimizing workflow instead of redesigning from scratch
</li>
</ul>
6. Creating the CSV File for Data Merge
<ul>
<li>
Structuring your design database
</li>
<li>
Preparing image folders correctly
</li>
<li>
Writing consistent descriptions
</li>
<li>
Using AI strategically to refine text
</li>
<li>
Exporting a clean, InDesign-ready CSV file
</li>
</ul>
7. Designing the Automated Body Pages
<ul>
<li>
Creating modular body page templates
</li>
<li>
Using placeholders correctly
</li>
<li>
Linking images and text fields
</li>
<li>
Designing a thumbnail overview layout
</li>
<li>
Setting up Data Merge for automation
</li>
</ul>
8. Assembling the Final Catalogue
<ul>
<li>
Generating merged documents
</li>
<li>
Reviewing and correcting small inconsistencies
</li>
<li>
Exporting a professional final PDF (interactive)
</li>
<li>
Preparing the file for client presentation
</li>
</ul>
9. Creating Targeted Catalogues for Different Sectors
Using the same CSV dataset, you’ll learn how to:
<ul>
<li>
Create a wallpaper-focused catalogue
</li>
<li>
Create a textile/home fabric-focused catalogue
</li>
<li>
Adapt descriptions to specific industries
</li>
<li>
Reuse the same data structure for stationery, fashion, licensing or other markets
</li>
</ul>
The system is not industry-specific. It’s structurally flexible.
Who This Class Is For
This class is ideal for:
<ul>
<li>
Surface pattern designers
</li>
<li>
Textile designers
</li>
<li>
Licensing designers
</li>
<li>
Freelancers presenting collections to brands
</li>
<li>
Creatives who want a more strategic workflow
</li>
</ul>
Intermediate knowledge of Adobe InDesign is recommended.
What You’ll Need
<ul>
<li>
Adobe InDesign
</li>
<li>
A small pattern collection (6–12 designs is enough)
</li>
<li>
Basic familiarity with layout tools
</li>
<li>
Willingness to think structurally
</li>
</ul>
By the End of This Class
You won’t just have a catalogue.
You’ll have a reusable system that allows you to:
<ul>
<li>
Update collections quickly
</li>
<li>
Adapt catalogues for different sectors
</li>
<li>
Save time on repetitive layout work
</li>
<li>
Present your designs professionally
</li>
<li>
Work more efficiently and strategically
</li>
</ul>
If you’re ready to move from manual, repetitive catalogue design to a smart, semi-automated workflow — this class will give you the structure to do it.
I can’t wait to see what you create.
xoxo
Beatriz
P.S. In the inspiration section of this class, we analyze selected online catalogues from <a href="https://www.arte-international.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Arte-International</a> 
as structural and editorial references.
All materials shown from Arte International remain their property and are used strictly for educational and analytical purposes.

Presentation: Build Professional Pattern Catalogues with Data Merge in Adobe InDesign

Inspiration: Studying High End Catalogue Design

Understanding the Catalogue Structure

Brand assets and  Defining Your Style Guide

Designing The Opening Pages Template -Part 1: Main Cover 

Designing The Opening Pages Template - Part 2: Brand Introduction and Collection Dividers

Creating The Final pages template: Contact Pages and Brand Reinforcement

Adapting Your Template to New Formats

Selecting the Designs from the Data Base

How to Create Design Descriptions Using AI

Creating the CSV for InDesign

Organizing Images and Files for the Catalogue

Designing the Body Pages Template – Part 1: Structure

Designing the Body Pages Template- Part 2: Data Merge (Single Records)

Designing the Overview Thumbnail Template

Assembling the Final Catalogue

One Dataset, Multiple Targeted Catalogues

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

CSV-Template-Class Resource-Create Semi-Automated Catalogues.xlsx

Template - Style Guide Catalogues.indt

Example of the Prompt Used in Class to Generate Your Pattern Descriptions.pdf

Semi-Automated Pattern Catalogue System – Final Project

Create Professional, Semi-Automated Pattern Catalogues with Data Merge in Adobe InDesign

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Create Professional, Semi-Automated Pattern Catalogues with Data Merge in Adobe InDesign

Project Example by Beatriz Pascual

Project Example by Beatriz Pascual

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